PO Box 867, Tulelake, CA 96134
Phone: 530-667-2282
Fax: 530-667-2737
Open All Year
Overview. For half a million years or so, eruptions from Medicine Lake volcano have shaped a rugged, otherworldly landscape in the northernmost part of California. This is a world of bizarre and rugged volcanic formations, from spatter and cinder cones to flows of pahoehoe (smooth) and 'a'a (sharp and rugged) lava. Beneath the ground, hundreds of lava tube caves wind through the volcanic deposits. During the westward expansion, the native Modoc were relocated to a nearby reservation and forced to live with the Klamath. The Modoc were not content living on another tribe's spiritual land. The Modoc left the reservation and returned to their home, only to face the wrath of the U.S. Army. Under the leadership of "Captain Jack," a small band of Modoc retreated to the rugged lava beds and stood off U.S. troops for five months, despite being outnumbered ten to one. Eventually, the long, bloody encounter ended in defeat for the Modoc. Captain Jack and three others were hanged and the rest of the band exiled to a reservation in Oklahoma. Today, visitors can see the army encampment and "Captain Jack's Stronghold." Each July, the local Modoc gather to feast, dance, and share their culture with visitors to the monument. What to see and do. Start your trip at the visitor center, where exhibits on the human and natural history of the region will introduce you to the features in the monument. You'll also find a schedule of activities posted here. Mushpot Cave, adjacent to the visitor center, is the only lighted lava tube in the monument, and a good way to begin your cave explorations. At the visitor center, you can get maps of cave entrances, borrow flashlights free of charge, and purchase protective headgear for your foray into the caves. In summer, rangers lead tours into the most popular lava tubes, but you're free to explore on your own, too. There are short hikes and nature trails available at Lava Beds, as well as longer, backcountry wilderness trails where solitude reigns. Trails lead to spatter cones such as Fleener Chimneys, charming Hidden Valley near Mammoth Crater, and to more remote lava tube caves, some painted with ancient Indian symbols. A short hike to the summit of Schonchin Butte will reward you with a panoramic view of Tule Lake and Mount Shasta, and interpretive trails at Captain Jack's Stronghold tell the story of the ill-fated Modoc War. Lava Beds is an unlikely paradise for bird-watchers, but it is the habitat for a large number of raptors, including the American Bald Eagle. The monument lies along the Pacific Flyway, and during spring and autumn it is not unusual for the skies to darken with flocks of geese and hundreds of other migrating bird species. A 40-site campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with water and flush toilets available during the summer. In winter, water must be hauled from the nearby visitor center. Lava Beds National Monument is open year-round. The visitor center is open from 8 AM to 6 PM during the summer, and to 5 PM the rest of the year. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pets: Leashed pets are permitted. Pets are not permitted in caves or the backcountry. Reservations, restrictions, and fees: All individual campsites are first-come, first-served. A nominal entrance fee is charged. No alcohol is allowed.
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Archeological Sites |
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Bird Watching |
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Caving |
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Climbing |
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Geological Sites |
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Gift Shop |
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Guided Tours |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Historic Sites |
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Museum/Exhibits |
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Picnic Sites |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Visitor Center |
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Wildflower Viewing |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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