10/20/2026
Named after him, Siskiyou County is one of California’s best places to escape the city and experience wildlife in its natural habitat.
From black bears, elk, bobcats and deer roaming the vast forests and mountains, to the McCloud and Klamath Rivers and millions of migratory birds gathering at the wildlife refuges near Tulelake, this corner of Northern California is a wildlife lover’s paradise. 🦅
And now, Siskiyou County is once again home to a California first!
🌲 Just north of W**d, along Highway 97, California’s first completed wildlife overpass is helping animals safely cross a stretch of highway where more than 50 deer and 16 elk were killed between 2015 and 2020.
Known as Cleland’s Crossing, it honors retired California Fish and Game Warden Rennie Cleland, whose decades of wildlife observations and dedication to protecting animals helped turn an idea into reality.
The bridge stretches 140 feet wide, with natural vegetation and fencing designed to guide animals safely over the highway. And it’s already working! Deer, bears, coyotes, foxes and even bobcats have been documented using the crossing. 🦊
It’s a remarkable milestone for wildlife conservation and another reason Siskiyou County is such a special place to experience California’s wild side.
