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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

Wednesday, Apr 8

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 70°F | Low: 32.9°F

Humidity: 55%

Wind: 14.1 mph

Rain Chance: 68%

UV Index: 1.6

Sunrise: 06:36 AM

Sunset: 07:40 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (70%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 42.5°F

Cloud Cover: 68%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Apr 9

Mist

Mist

High: 65.3°F | Low: 41.2°F

Humidity: 71%

Wind: 12.3 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.4

Sunrise: 06:35 AM

Sunset: 07:41 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (61%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 45.5°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Apr 10

Thundery outbreaks in nearby

Thundery outbreaks in nearby

High: 49.3°F | Low: 37.7°F

Humidity: 78%

Wind: 18.8 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.3

Sunrise: 06:33 AM

Sunset: 07:42 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (52%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 40.3°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

Downed Trees on Trails Caution
Please be cautions on all trails and side roads as high winds and heavy snow have caused several downed trees throughout the park.
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

Nearby Mammoth Wildfire Caution
South East of Lava Beds on the Modoc National Forest is the Mammoth Fire. For current information please visit

More Info

Visitor Center will be open from 9am - 1pm on 12/24 and Closed 12/25 Information
The visitor center will be open from 9am - 1pm on Wed. 12/24 and closed on Thurs. 12/25 (Christmas Day). Please play your entrance fee at the self-pay station near the parking lot and read the caving information to the right of the visitor center doors.
Phones Are Down Information
We are currently not able to receive incoming calls. If you have a questions, please email us at labe_information@nps.gov. If you have an emergency, please call 911.

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
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