Lava Beds National Monument

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Restrooms, Visitor center.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 46,872 acres (18,968 ha).

Designation: National Monument. Listed as "Lava Beds National Monument" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Established: 1925.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Camping activity
• Caves & caverns scenic feature

Before you go

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

A cave permit is required prior to entering any cave

Limits

One group site is available by reservation up to three months in advance for groups with between 15 and 40 people by calling the Visitor Center at 530-667-8113

Limits

Pets, food, alcohol, fires, fireworks, or other sources of flame in caves are prohibited

Limits

Pets, food, alcohol, fires, fireworks, or other sources of flame in caves are prohibited

Limits

Smoking is prohibited in all caves (including e-cigarettes, vapes)

Park alert: White-Nose Syndrome / Cave Permit

Please Do Not bring clothing or caving gear used in caves or mines outside of Lava Beds into our caves. This will help slow the spread of white-nose syndrome, a bat disease that is killing bats outside of the park.

Getting there

Lava Beds is a truly remote park, in a corner of California most people never visit. Most roads into this area wind through mountains, and along rivers, and travel may take longer than expected. Services are few and far between and winter driving conditions can be encountered anytime between fall and spring.

Weather & when to go

Park elevations range from 4,000 to 5,700 feet. Cold weather is possible any time of year, and snow has been recorded in all months. Winter day­time highs average 40°F; lows average 20°F. Morning fog is frequent from autumn through spring. Summer daytime highs average 75° to 80°F; lows average 50°F. Occasional thunderstorms occur in summer.

Visitor center

Devil's Homestead Crossing

Visitor center

Devil's Homestead Overlook

Visitor center

Hospital Rock, Tulelake, Ca

Visitor center

LABE Fee Entrance Booth - North

Visitor center

Lava Beds Visitor Center — The visitor center is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. — Lava Beds is truly a remote park, in a corner of California most people never visit. Most roads into this area wind through mountains and along rivers, and travel may take longer than expected. Services are few and far between, and winter driving conditions can be encountered any time between fall and spring. Remember to Plan Ahead - There is no gas available at Lava Beds. We encourage you to top…

Visitor center

Lava Beds Visitor Center

Visitor center

Lava Beds Visitor Center

Visitor center

Lava Beds Visitor Center

Visitor center

Lava Beds Visitor Center

Visitor center

Mushpot Cave

Visitor center

NHA Store

Visitor center

NHA Store

Facilities on the park map

3 bench, 1 changing table, 1 first aid station, 2 picnic area, 6 restroom, 16 visitor information, 1 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Group Campsite The Group Campsite is in the B-Loop of the Indian Well Campground. The group site is only for groups with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 40 campers. The group campsite includes picnic tables, grills, two pit toilets, a group fire ring, water spigot and a large cooking grill. Group site is open April 1st - October 31st. It can be reserved up to 6 months in advanced. · 1 campsite
• Indian Well Campground Indian Well Campground is located 1/2 mile (0.8 km) from the Visitor Center. There are 43 sites available on a first-come, first serve basis. Included in the standard campsites are a picnic table, fire ring, and cooking grill. The campground typically only fills on summer weekends near holidays. Sites can accommodate tents, pickup campers, small trailers and motor homes up to 30 feet. Note: not al · 43 campsites · Accessibility: There are two campsites that are designated as ADA camp sites. There are also ADA restrooms in both the A and B loops of the campgrounds and a paved trail to…

History

Opened

1925

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened