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Lava Beds National Monument
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At Lava Beds National Monument, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created an incredibly rugged landscape punctuated by cinder cones, lava flows, spatter cones, lava tube caves and pit craters. In the late 1800s, the Modoc Indians used these tortuous lava flows to their advantage in a battle with US troops. Under the leadership of Captain Jack, the Modocs took refuge in "Captain Jack's Stronghold," a natural lava fortress. From this base a group of 53 fighting men and their families held off US Army forces numbering up to ten times their strength for five months. Visitors can tour both the geologic and historic wonders of this unusual landscape.
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The Basics |
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Location: |
A few miles south of the Oregon border in north central California |
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| Hours: |
Lava Beds National Monument is always open to visitors. Lava Beds’‘ caves, trails, camping, and attractions are open year-round. Occasionally in winter, snow can temporarily close park roads until they are plowed. The Visitor Center is open every day except Christmas (December 25). Hours are as follows:
Summer: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(Memorial through Labor Day)
Fall, Winter, Spring: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Season: |
Open year-round (visitor center open 8 to 5 in winter and 8 to 6 in summer) |
| Address: |
1 Indian Well Headquarters
Tulelake, CA 96134
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| Phone: |
530-667-2282, Ext. 232 |
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Some More Things to Know |
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Popular activities at the park include exploring lava tube caves, hiking to cinder cones and craters, or viewing petroglyphs from northern California's indigenous people.
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Directions |
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Visitors traveling south on Highway 139 (from Oregon) will see signs four miles south of Tulelake directing them into Lava Beds. Visitors traveling north on Highway 139 (from Alturas) will see signs 27 miles north of Canby directing them into Lava Beds.
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Climate |
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The weather in northeastern California is particularly unpredictable and visitors should be ready for all conditions throughout the year. However, summers are generally sunny and warm while winters are cold with below-freezing nights and occasional snow. Visitors should always have warm clothing, sturdy boots, gloves, and protective headgear available if they plan to visit the lava tube caves.
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Link to our Cascade Mountains Weather coverage for more information.
Link to our Redding Weather coverage for more information.
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Reservations |
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No reservations required.
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Things To Do |
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Maybe you love caves, or you've never been in one. Or you're a history buff, love wildflowers, or just need a few hours of solitude in the wilderness away from the daily commute? Lava Beds is the place for you. Indoors or out, any time of year, there's always a variety of activites and events to keep you busy, interested, and amazed.
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Guided Tours |
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Most tours are scheduled during summer months, but check the Schedule of Events for more information. These include guided cave tours, plant or flower walks, birdwatching tours, battlefield walks, and more. Reservations are only required for a few special tours, as listed below. Special Tours:
Crystal Ice Cave Tours: Dec. - March
Reservations Required Crystal Ice Cave contains some of the most spectacular ice formations among Lava Beds’ many caves. Because of the sensitive nature of this cave's formations, it is open to park visitors on small ranger-guided tours only during winter months. Fern Cave Tours: May - Oct.
Reservations Required A hidden oasis of green, Fern Cave has been a sanctuary for native peoples over more than a thousand years; their pictographs still mark the cave walls. The cave's fragile microclimate supports a lush, moist haven for plants and animals otherwise not found for hundreds of miles.
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Nearby Attractions |
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Lava Beds is surrounded by thousands of acres of public lands and is located near a great variety of other destinations, from scenic to historic to just plain fun! There's something to see or do all year, including local museums, fairs and events, canoeing, hunting, biking, hiking, and more. - Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges
- Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
- Modoc National Forest
- Klamath National Forest
- Crater Lake National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Redwoods National Park
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Link to our Cascade Mountains Attractions coverage for more information.
Link to our Redding Attractions coverage for more information.
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