← Back to Search

Lava Beds National Monument

Designation: National Monument

Location: California

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. More than 800 caves, Native American rock art sites, historic battlefields and campsites, and a high desert wilderness experience await you!

🌤 Weather Information

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.

🚗 Directions

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.

Images

Sunrise at Lava Beds

Sunrise at Lava Beds

Credit: NPS Photo / Nathan Charlton

Sunset at Lava Beds

Sunset at Lava Beds

Credit: NPS Photo / Laura Bellasalma

Paintbrush along park trail

Paintbrush along park trail

Credit: NPS Photo / Nico Ramirez

Schonchin Butte & Skull Cave

Schonchin Butte & Skull Cave

Credit: NPS Photo / Jesse Barden

snowy sunrise at Hopkins Chocolate Cave

Snowy sunrise at Hopkins Chocolate Cave

Credit: NPS Photo / Jesse Barden

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Entrance is $25 per vehicle and is good for 7 days.
$25.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Park entrance for motorcycles is $20 per motorcycles and is good for 7 days.
$20.00
Entrance - Per Person
Park Entrance is $15 per person and is good for 7 days.
$15.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
Lava Beds National Monument, Crater Lake National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area all share an annual pass. It is $55.00 and is valid for a year from the date of purchase.
$55.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Saturday, May 30

Sunny

Sunny

High: 64.9°F | Low: 39.2°F

Humidity: 66%

Wind: 13 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 7.6

Sunrise: 05:34 AM

Sunset: 08:32 PM

Moon: Full Moon (100%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 44.3°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, May 31

Sunny

Sunny

High: 67°F | Low: 37.4°F

Humidity: 48%

Wind: 6.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 8.2

Sunrise: 05:34 AM

Sunset: 08:33 PM

Moon: Full Moon (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 41.3°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, Jun 1

Sunny

Sunny

High: 73.1°F | Low: 41.5°F

Humidity: 43%

Wind: 4.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 9

Sunrise: 05:33 AM

Sunset: 08:34 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (96%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 46.4°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

White-Nose Syndrome / Cave Permit Information
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.

More Info

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
1 Indian Well HQ
Tulelake, CA 96134

🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1240
Tulelake, CA 96134

📞 Voice Phone: 5306678113

✉️ Email: LABE_Information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
Loading fun fact...