Lava Beds National Monument
Basalt flows, collapsed tubes, ice caves, fumaroles, cinder cones, Petroglyph Point, and the Modoc War landscape make Lava Beds both geological maze and cultural homeland.
Artwork inspired by Granville Redmond
Basalt flows, collapsed tubes, ice caves, fumaroles, cinder cones, Petroglyph Point, and the Modoc War landscape make Lava Beds both geological maze and cultural homeland. Self-guided caving exposes real darkness and route choice. Three anchors prevent a superficial visit: established is 1925, caves is 800+, and rock is Basalt.
Use the visitor center’s cave map and screening station, begin with a developed short cave, then add surface history before attempting a harder tube. White-nose syndrome rules require clean gear, helmets and multiple lights are essential, ladders and low ceilings vary, and snow or fire can close roads.
- Established
- 1925
- Caves
- 800+
- Rock
- Basalt
Quick guide
- Orient from
- Use the visitor center’s cave map and screening station, begin with a developed short cave, then add surface history before attempting a harder tube.
- Follow the evidence
- Compare lava tubes with Mushpot Cave, then use Modoc War landscape to test what the site is trying to communicate.
Know before you go
- Orient from
- Use the visitor center’s cave map and screening station, begin with a developed short cave, then add surface history before attempting a harder tube.
- Follow the evidence
- Compare lava tubes with Mushpot Cave, then test that reading against Modoc War landscape.
- Place in context
- Established: 1925; Caves: 800+; Rock: Basalt
- Plan the arrival
- For Lava Beds National Monument, use Lava Beds National Monument Visitor Center, 1 Indian Well Campground Trail, Tulelake, CA 96134 as the reviewed public arrival point. Before visiting.
Good to know
White-nose syndrome rules require clean gear, helmets and multiple lights are essential, ladders and low ceilings vary, and snow or fire can close roads.
Notice these
- lava tubes
- Mushpot Cave
- Modoc War landscape