Overview:
Lava Beds National Monument is a place where you can smell the sage and juniper, hear the birds, crawl beneath the surface of the earth, hike through miles of ancient lava flows, and learn about the cultural heritage of the Modocs.
Situated on a small 47,000 acre portion of the Medicine Lake shield volcano, Lava Beds National Monument was formed from a series of eruptions over the course of the past 500,000 years. This activity has created an incredibly rugged landscape punctuated by both developed and undeveloped caves, cinder cones such as Schonchin Butte that provide expansive views of the Tule Lake Basin and Modoc National Forest, and jagged lava flows like Devil’s Homestead.
Many of the caves and features at Lava Beds National Monument show evidence of the human influence on the landscape. Native American cave paintings, called pictographs or petroglyphs, were created by the Modocs and can be seen at Big Painted Cave and Symbol Bridge, while hundreds of rock carvings can be found at Petroglyph Point.
The geologic and cultural histories collide in a unique way at Captain Jack’s Stronghold, a natural lava fortress where Captain Jack and a group of 53 Modoc warriors and their families held out against the United States military for five months during the Modoc War of 1872 to 1873.
Whether looking through exhibits at the visitor center, hiking the trails, or exploring the caves, experience the diverse opportunities at Lava Beds National Monument on your own, or through guided tours.
Summary of Fees
| Tour Name | Ages 12 and up | Reservation Fee (per ticket) | Changes* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Ice Cave | Free | $1.50 (non-refundable) |
$0.00 |
| Fern Cave | Free | $1.50 (non-refundable) |
$0.00 |
*Customers may request changes until 9:00 PM Pacific Time the day before the tour
Gallery
Directions
From the north via Klamath Falls, Oregon: take Oregon Hwy. 39 south approximately 15 miles until you see a brown highway sign for the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges. Follow this route by turning right (south) on Merrill Pit Road. Travel south approximately two miles until you reach Stateline Road 161. Brown highway signs mark turns leading to Lava Beds from U.S. 161 into the monument. Turn left (east), travel approximately three miles, and turn right (south) at the golf course onto Hill Road. Travel south on Hill Road nine miles until you enter Lava Beds National Monument. You will pass the visitor center for the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges on your way into the monument. It takes approximately one hour to reach the Visitor Center from Klamath Falls via this route.
From the south via Adin, Oregon:. Head north on 139/299 E for approximately 21 miles. Follow signs to Tulelake to the left and take 139 N for 27 miles until you see a brown highway sign for Lava Beds National Monument. Take a left onto Rd 44 N 01 / 97 and travel for 3 miles until you see a brown highway sign for Lava Beds National Monument indicating to take a right onto FS 10. This road will bring you to the park border in 10 miles.This route is sometimes closed in winter.
Visit the park website for complete directions http://www.nps.gov/labe/planyourvisit/directions.htm
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 41° 42′ 53.8999″ N
Longitude 121° 30′ 36.9000″ W