Major city · United States
Macdoel
Pass through Macdoel for a quick bird‑watch stop at Meiss Lake; no lodging, so plan a half‑day visit while traveling on US‑97.
Macdoel is a tiny town of about 130 people in Siskiyou County, California. Its main attraction is Meiss Lake, a bird‑watching spot with a short trail. There are no hotels, so visitors usually stop for a few hours while driving north or south on US‑97.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, limited water for wildlife)
- Airports
- MFR · SMF
- Nights
- 0 (no lodging in town; sleep in Weed or Yreka)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Macdoel911 ▾
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Macdoel, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMacdoel is low‑traffic and safe; main risk is wildlife on roads at dawn/dusk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / fire / ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMFR Rogue Valley International–Medford (Medford, Oregon) (Nearest airport with scheduled service…
- Getting aroundCar is essential; US‑97 runs through town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a diner in Weed$2–$4
- Budget bedMotel in Weed, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel in Weed, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel in Weed, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$45 · High US$60
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MFR Rogue Valley International–Medford (Medford, Oregon) (Nearest airport with scheduled service; about 1 h 15 min by car via OR-66 and US-97 (check)) · SMF Sacramento International (Larger option; about 4 h 30 min by car south on I-5 and US-97 (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Dec (10 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Macdoel: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
9 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential; US‑97 runs through town. No public transit.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Meiss Lake
goDoor to door: 5 min drive from US‑97 stop
Park at the lake access road off US‑97, walk the birding trail (≈10 min each way)
Good for waterfowl spotting; bring binoculars.
Weed
goDoor to door: ≈10 min
Drive south on US‑97, about 5 km (3.1 mi)Drive south on US‑97, about 3.1 mi (5 km)
Gas, groceries, and motels available.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Weed
Nearest town with motels, ~5 km (3.1 mi) south; consider staying there.Nearest town with motels, ~3.1 mi (5 km) south; consider staying there.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–$50 excl. lodging
Trip budget
| Motel in Weed1 × 1 night × US$80 | US$80 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$30 | US$30 |
| Gas for a round trip from Weed (about 30 km)1 × US$8 · check | US$8 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$12 |
| Trip total≈ US$130 per person per day, bed included | US$130 |
About 5 km south on US-97; check availability.
2026 estimate in US dollars; no lodging in Macdoel, so the bed line is a motel in Weed. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a diner in Weed | $2–$4 |
| Petrol (per gallon) | $3.50–$4.20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited services – gas and food only in Weed.
- Birding trail can be muddy after rain; wear sturdy shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MacdoelMacdoel
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in San Francisco; nearest for emergencies.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- US‑97 Macdoel ↔ Weed (car): ≈5 km (3.1 mi) each way, fuel cost about $4–$6 (check).≈3.1 mi (5 km) each way, fuel cost about $4–$6 (check).
Say or show
- ¿Dónde está la gasolinera más cercana? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Macdoel. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, limited water for wildlife) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Car‑rental or personal vehicle required for US‑97 travel.
- Plan lodging in Weed or Dunsmuir if staying overnight.
Sources
Ask about Macdoel
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