Lava Beds National Monument in Tulelake, California, is a wonderland filled with volcanic rocks, caves, and hundreds of ancient Native American petroglyphs. The ultimate desert playground, Lava Beds is a dream of dusty reds, massive skies, and a lingering feeling of Deja Vu.
Here is everything you need to know to visit Lava Beds National Monument in California:
What is Lava Beds National Monument?
You might have been inside a cave before- but have you been inside Lava?
These lava tube caves were created between 10-65,000 years ago by, you guessed it, flows of lava.
As the lava began to cool and solidify, it formed a tube-like structure for lava to continue to flow through. Once the eruption ended, the tube emptied and drained, leaving behind a ‘cave.’
Lava Beds National Monument was built to protect and honor the lava beds found here. Today, some of the lava tubes are safe enough to be explored.
What Type of Caves are at Lava Beds?
Each cave is unique.
Whatever your experience level, Lava Beds National Monument has got you.
Most caves offer total darkness, but some, such as the Sunshine Cave, have collapsed in places, allowing for wildlife and sunlight to propagate. Other caves have ice crystals, formations, and entire floors of ice at specific times of the year. Big Painted Cave has Native American petroglyphs and pictographs. The Sentinel Cave is more of a tunnel-you enter either through the upper or lower and emerge through the other!
Where to Stay Near Lava Beds National Monument
Looking for the best place to stay near Lava Beds National Monument? Check out these options:
Budget-Friendly:
- Golden Eagle Motel: This nearby motel in Dorris, California, is a comfortable place to stay at an affordable price. It’s bare bones but clean.
- Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Klamath Falls: A reliable choice for budget travelers, this hotel in nearby Klamath Falls, Oregon, provides all the essential amenities plus free breakfast without the hefty price tag.
Mid-Range:
- Butte Valley B&B in Dorris: While slightly pricier than the budget options, this adorable B&B is still an excellent value. With complimentary breakfast and parking included, plus a cute outside patio, it’s a solid choice.
No matter your budget, there are a few good options near Lava Beds National Monument.
Top 5 Things To Do at Lava Beds National Monument
Caving
There are over 20 unique caves to explore. If you’re into caving, this is your absolutely ideal place!
Petroglyphs
One reason Lava Beds is such a special place is that it contains two types of rock art: Carved petroglyphs chiseled into the rock and painted pictographs marked with ancient ash and dyes.
Hiking
There are 13 established hiking trails. Some of the best shorter trails are Big Nasty, Symbol Bridge Trail, and Petroglyph Trail. The 3 longer trails are Three Sisters Trail, Lyons Trail, and Whitney Butte Trail. Make sure you pack for a day hike.
Bat Spotting
Over 16 species of bats make their home at Lava Beds. Some live here year-round, and others migrate from Mexico or South America.
The best way to find out where and when to view bats is to consult the visitor center- they will have the most accurate information specific to the day you are there.
Photography
Desert landscapes, volcanic geological features, and dramatically lit caves offer all kinds of unique photo opportunities, limited only to the eye of the creator.
How to Use Cave Loop Road
Almost every cave at Lava Beds National Monument can be accessed via Cave Loop Road. The loop itself is about a ten-minute drive straight through- a trek I made several times to see the caves in the exact order I wanted to.
The loop is one-way and super easy to navigate.
The Best Caves at Lava Beds
Easier caves
Mushpot
This is absolutely the best cave to start with for a few simple reasons- it’s the only cave with lighting, although you still need your flashlight, and has no sections requiring you to kneel or crawl.
Mushpot is also the only cave with signs and information about Lava Beds and its history, and it’s conveniently located directly behind the visitor center.
Big Painted Cave and Symbol Bridge
These easy caves contain Native American pictographs.
Skull Cave
Skull Cave is wide open and the best option for those who don’t like closed-in spaces.
Sentinel
Sentinel is the most adventure-y, with a distinct ‘Indiana Jones feeling.’ It’s considered one of the least challenging of the longer caves due to its tunnel shape.
Mid-range caves
Sunshine Cave
My favorite cave for photography was the Sunshine Cave due to the multiple collapses that allow sunlight in, as well as abundant vegetation.
Golden Dome
Golden Dome is one of the most popular caves due to its romantic, golden-colored ceiling. This trail requires careful attention, or you’ll end up going in figure 8s for hours.
The most difficult cave
Catacombs are by far the most popular of the difficult caves. It’s only possible to walk upright for about 800 of the caves 6,903 feet.
Frequently asked questions
How to get to Lava Beds National Monument
When you’re determining how to get to Lava Beds, there are basically two options since this area is remote, with limited public transportation.
- Driving. Ashland, Oregon, is about a 2-hour drive from Lava Beds. Redding, California, is about a 3-hour drive.
- Flying. Flying into Medford, Oregon, or Redding, California, would be the closest to the Monument.
Most people include Lava Beds as part of a larger road trip, but it’s such a unique experience (where else can you hike through lava tubes?) that it can stand alone.
How safe are the lava tubes?
Pretty safe. Lava tubes usually collapse during the cooling process once the lava stops flowing, but once dried and old are mostly unmoving. That said, exploring beneath the earth carries certain risks, and I recommend observing general good safety protocols and always paying attention to any warning signs.
The biggest hazards are running out of water or light or getting hurt or lost.
I suggest bringing a reusable water bottle (I swear by this one, which you can roll up into your pocket when it’s empty) and a portable charger to charge all of your devices.
How many caves are at Lava Beds National Monument?
There are over 700 caves spread out over 46,000 acres. Only about 20 of these are open for exploration, so a dedicated explorer may be able to see them all in the span of a few days.
When is the best time to visit Lava Beds National Monument?
- Winter. January through March, you can take a small, private tour through the seasonal crystal ice caves!
- Spring. This is the best time for hiking and exploring the caves, with some of the mildest weather of the year.
Note: Bald Eagles migrate through this area from November through April, so bring your binoculars
What do you need to bring to lava tubes?
Don’t pack a bunch of extra gear you don’t need. Here’s what you need to bring to the lava tubes:
- Flashlight. You will, without a doubt, need a flashlight (which can be rented at the visitor center, or I like this lightweight, LED one) at a minimum.
- Headgear. A helmet or hard hat would be ideal for most caves, even the easier ones, to protect your head while moving through the solid darkness. Remember, it’s easy to misjudge distances in low or no-light conditions.
- Knee and eye stuff. Most moderate and difficult caves require additional items such as slip-resistant knee pads and headlamps (this 2-pack is weather resistant and is fairly fashionable) for crawling.
Note: do not attempt any of the caves labeled “most challenging” without the proper equipment, as you may be risking your own safety or ruining it for other explorers.
Do I need a flashlight for the caves at Lava Beds?
Yes, you will need a flashlight for the caves at Lava Beds. Only one of the caves (Mushpot) has its own lighting. All of the others are almost entirely dark.
Can you camp at Lava Beds National Monument?
Lava Bed National Monument has one campground, Indian Well, located 1/2 mile from the visitor center. Call ahead and make sure there are openings if you choose to go that route.
Are dogs allowed at Lava Beds National Monument?
Pets are allowed in developed areas but not on trails, in caves, or in buildings. So if you plan to cave, leave the babies at home!
Can I use my National Parks Pass at Lava Beds National Monument?
Yes! Since Lava Beds is a National Monument, the Parks Pass will get you in. Be sure to treat it like any other national park and take nothing but pictures while leaving nothing but footprints.
Check in
How many caves did you get to experience at Lava Beds National Monument?
Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
