Lava Beds National Monument

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Overview

Lava Beds National Monument is a land of disorder. For over 400 millennia, volcanic activity has formed this landscape, creating a land with a rough and irregular surface. Not only is the land marked by the varied volcanic features, this scarred earth is dotted with Native American rock art sites, multiple campgrounds, historic battlefields, and stunning high desert wilderness. Explore the lava tube caves and tour the historical sites of the Modoc War sites to experience the rich history and geography that the park has to offer.

To learn more about Lava Beds National Monument, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Please Note: There are no singletrack trails within Lava Beds National Monument that are open to mountain bikes. This page serves as a general overview of the area.

Visiting Tips

Lava Beds National Monument is open daily, year round, except on December 25. Hours of operation vary throughout the year. Check the park's website for current hours of operation.

Cave Loop Drive is closed to vehicles from 5 pm to 8 am, but you may still enter on foot or bicycle. Occasionally in winter, snow can temporarily close park roads until they are plowed.

Camping & Lodging

Lava Beds has one campground, Indian Well Campground, located 1/2 mile from the Visitor Center and Cave Loop. There are 43 sites available on a first come, first served basis. Sites can accommodate tents, pickup campers, small trailers and motor homes up to 30 feet. Not all sites can accommodate motor homes. For more information on camping in the park, click here.

Free backcountry camping is also permitted. Restrictions are in place for camping near developed areas and caves. Fires are prohibited and no surface water is available. No groups of more than 12 individuals are permitted.

To learn about non-camping lodging options, visit the park's website.

Food & Drink

Other than the snacks sold at the Visitor Center bookstore, no food is available within the monument. The closest restaurants are in the towns of Tulelake, CA and Merrill, OR, both about 25 miles away. Check out the park's website for more information.

Other Activities

Lava Beds is surrounded by thousands of acres of public land and is located near a great variety of other scenic, historic, and recreation destinations! Be sure to check out Modoc National Forest as well as Klamath National Forest.