Lava Beds National Monument
CA
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!
Details
- 🏞️Type
- National Park
- 🏛️Managed by
- National Park Service
- 📍State
- CA
- 🗺️Address
- 1 Indian Well HQ, Tulelake, CA, 96134
- 📞Phone
- 5306678113
- 🕐Hours
- The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The visitor center is typically only closed on Christmas Day but will sometimes temporarily close in the winter due to weather or maintenance. Temporary closures are usually posted as an alert and/or on our social media. For visitor center hours please the Visitor Center section below.
- 💵Entrance Fee
- $25 / vehicle
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- ♿Accessibility
- limited
- 🥾Activities
- auto and atv, scenic driving, astronomy, stargazing, biking, road biking, camping, backcountry camping, car or front country camping, group camping, rv camping, caving, food, picnicking, guided tours, self-guided tours - walking, hiking, backcountry hiking, front-country hiking, junior ranger program, skiing, cross-country skiing, wildlife watching, birdwatching, park film, museum exhibits, shopping, bookstore and park store
- 📡GPS
- 41.75916, -121.51722
Weather
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.
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.