National park · United States
Lava Beds National Monument
Give it a full day: explore two or three lava tube caves in the morning, climb Schonchin Butte for the view, and drive to Petroglyph Point before 15:00. Skip it if you want shade, services or a short visit — the nearest town is 30+ minutes away.Give it a full day: explore two or three lava tube caves in the morning, climb Schonchin Butte for the view, and drive to Petroglyph Point before 3:00 PM. Skip it if you want shade, services or a short visit — the nearest town is 30+ minutes away.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
188 km²73 sq mi
approximate
Established
1925
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 188 km²73 sq mi
- About 188 km² (73 sq mi) of high desert on the flank of Medicine Lake volcano; the cave loop road is the only developed area (check).
- Established
- 1925
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Lava Beds National Monument protects the flank of Medicine Lake volcano in far northern California, where eruptions between roughly 30,000 and 40,000 years ago sent fluid basalt downhill and left behind almost 700 lava tube caves — the densest concentration known in the continental United States. The monument was set aside in 1925, and the Modoc people's rock art at Petroglyph Point and their wartime stronghold in the lava beds are part of the same landscape. The developed core is a single loop road with the visitor center, a campground and caves graded from lit walk-in passages to crawls with ceilings under 1 m. Everything else — Schonchin Butte, Mammoth Crater, the backcountry — is surface desert with no shade and no services. The nearest fuel and motels are in Tulelake, about 20 minutes north, and the usual place to fly in and rent a car is Klamath Falls, Oregon, about 1 h 15 min away.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1925.
Size and age
188 km²73 sq mi · national park since 1925
About 188 km² (73 sq mi) of high desert on the flank of Medicine Lake volcano; the cave loop road is the only developed area (check).
Why go
- Almost 700 lava tube caves — the densest known concentration in the continental US — with a graded set from walk-in to crawl.
- A full day of surface geology: cinder cones, spatter cones, craters and fault scarps you can walk on.
- Petroglyph Point, a cliff of Native American rock art on the park's edge.
- Dark skies and quiet: no entrance-station queue most of the year.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanSnow and ice; some roads closed
- FebCold, snow; cave loop may be icy
- MarMud and late snow; quiet
- AprMild days, cold caves; wildflowers start
- MayWarm surface, cool caves; long days
- JunDry and clear; start early
- JulHot surface (30°C+); caves are the refugeHot surface (86°F+); caves are the refuge
- AugHottest, driest; afternoon storms possible
- SepCooling, clear; best all-round
- OctMild, quiet; snow possible late
- NovCold nights, clear days; check roads
- DecSnow; south entrance often closed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer and coyotesAll year · Most active around dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bats (14 species)May–Sep · Some caves are closed to protect them; never disturb roosting bats. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Kangaroo rats on the roads at nightJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Western rattlesnakeApr–Oct · On the surface or under rock ledges; watch hands and feet. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Klamath Falls, OR
Drive US-97 south, then Hill Road / the main park road to the north entrance.
1 h 15 min
From Medford, OR
I-5 south, then OR-140 and US-97 to the north entrance.
2 h 30 min
From Redding, CA
CA-89 / US-97 north; the southern Perez–Tionesta road is rough and snow-closed in winter.
3 h
From Tulelake, CA
Short drive south to the visitor center; the closest services and fuel.
20 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cave Loop Road | The developed core: visitor center, campground and most of the easy and moderate caves. | Open with the entrance fee; some caves gated. |
| Skull Cave and Symbol Bridge area | Ice-floor cave and pictograph caves on the northern loop. | Open; short walks from parking. |
| Mammoth Crater and the south | The crater that fed most of the lava tubes, plus Hidden Valley and Big Nasty. | Open; graded dirt road. |
| Petroglyph Point | Rock-art cliff on the park's northeast edge, reached by a separate road. | Open; no cave entry. |
Sketch map
- 1Lava Beds Visitor Center · Headquarters≈41.714, -121.510Map ↗
- 2Indian Well Campground · Sleep≈41.716, -121.506Map ↗
- 3Mushpot Cave · Cave≈41.714, -121.509Map ↗
- 4Skull Cave · Cave≈41.731, -121.511Map ↗
- 5Schonchin Butte · Summit≈41.738, -121.529Map ↗
- 6Mammoth Crater · Viewpoint≈41.697, -121.548Map ↗
- 7Tulelake · Town≈41.955, -121.478Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee (per vehicle) | US$25 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers 7 days. Walk-in or bike entry is less (check). |
| Entrance fee (per person, walk/bike) | US$15 | person | 2026 estimate; 7 days. |
| Motorcycle entrance | US$20 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | 2026 estimate; covers this park and other federal sites. |
| Camping (Indian Well Campground) | US$10–20 | night | 2026 estimate; first-come, no hookups (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Cave entry screening permit or guide
Entrance fee permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Cave screening
- All visitors must check in at the visitor center before entering any cave. If you have been in a cave east of the Rockies in the past ten years, do not bring those shoes or clothes into Lava Beds caves.
- Cave closures
- Caves with bats may be closed seasonally or year-round; check the board at the visitor center.
- Cinder cones
- Do not climb cinder cones other than Schonchin Butte; the surfaces are fragile.
- Rock art
- Do not touch, chalk or photograph with flash at Petroglyph Point; the panels are protected.
- Cave surfaces
- Do not touch the golden hydrophobic bacteria coatings; they are living and protected.
- Lights and safety
- Carry at least two light sources per person, a helmet and closed shoes; tell someone your cave plan.
Where to stay
In the park
Indian Well Campground
Simple sites near the visitor center; first-come, no hookups, water seasonal.
Near the park
Tulelake and Newell
Motels and RV parks, about 20–30 minutes from the visitor center.
Near the park
Klamath Falls
Full range of hotels, about 1 h 15 min away; the usual base if you fly in.
Safety
Getting lost or stuck in a cave high
Cold in caves medium
Heat on the surface medium
Winter roads medium
Accessibility
- The visitor center, Mushpot Cave and the campground area are the most accessible stops; Mushpot has a paved, lit path.
- Skull Cave has a stairway to the ice floor and is not step-free.
- Most other caves involve uneven lava floors, stooping or crawling.
Visiting lightly
- Follow the white-nose syndrome screening — it protects bats across the continent.
- Do not touch cave formations, bacteria coatings or rock art.
- Pack out all rubbish; there is no waste collection in the caves or backcountry.
- Stay on trails on the surface; lava crust and cinder cones recover very slowly.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lava Beds National Monument?
In 2026 the entrance fee is about US$25 per vehicle, US$20 per motorcycle or US$15 per person walking or cycling in, and it covers 7 days. The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers this park and other federal sites. Pay at the summer entrance station or self-register off-season.
What are the best hikes in Lava Beds National Monument?
For most visitors: Mushpot Cave (lit, 235 m), Sentinel Cave (1 km, no stooping), Skull Cave (ice floor, 177 m) and the Schonchin Butte Trail (1.4 km, about 150 m of climb to a fire lookout). Add Petroglyph Point for rock art. Catacombs Cave is the hardest — over 2 km with ceilings under 1 m — and needs a map, helmet and experience.
When is the best time to visit Lava Beds National Monument?
May, June, September and October: mild surface temperatures, clear skies and quiet roads. July and August are hot on the surface (30°C+) but the caves stay near 10–12°C. Winter brings snow and closes the southern and Medicine Lake roads; the north entrance usually stays open.
Do I need a reservation or permit?
No reservation for day visits. You must check in at the visitor center before entering any cave so staff can screen for white-nose syndrome. Backcountry camping needs a free permit from the visitor center.
Can I visit Lava Beds without a car?
Practically, no. There is no public transport into the monument; the nearest town with services is Tulelake, about 20 minutes from the visitor center, and Klamath Falls is the usual place to rent a car.
How long do I need at Lava Beds?
A full day covers two or three easy caves, Schonchin Butte and Petroglyph Point. Add a second day if you want a long cave like Catacombs or Hercules Leg–Juniper, or a backcountry walk.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go