lava beds national monument

My wife and I had the opportunity to visit the monument for the second time and go into more than the lighted cave by the visitors center and we had so much fun! We spent about three hours, went into three caves with only flashlights and sneakers and had a great time exploring the easy caves. We are excited to return in a few years when our daughter is old enough to explore with us!

Lava Beds National Monument California Located in the middle of nowhere. Costs $10.00 per vehicle to see the park. This monument has a large number of lava tube caves formed when lava from a nearby volcano flows underground and then hardens. The only one I saw was Mushpot cave because it's the only one with lights. A lava tube with a few formations. There are also some sights where you can see lava fields. About 50 miles from Klamath Falls. If you are driving from Klamath Falls to Reno and have a few extra hours to spend it's mildly interesting but don't come all this way just to see it.

We stopped on our way home with no expectations....left 4 hrs later with 2 very happy kids. The caves were amazing and we had a lot of fun exploring as a family. Will definitely do this again.

This National Monument protects two distinctly different but very worthwhile features, the geologic wonders of the Medicine Lake shield volcano, the Cascade Range’s largest volcano by volume, and Captain Jack’s Stronghold, the location of the final siege and climax of the Modoc Indian War, while a relatively short (6 months) war against a small group of warriors (about 53), it is very significant as one of the most costly of the Indian Wars that also undermined confidence in President Grant’s peace policy. The park is open year-round but being located in the high desert, the weather can be both very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter so come prepared. The primary geologic features of interest are the 778 lava tube caves, many of which are open to exploration. Stop by the visitor center, located in the southern end of the Monument, near many of the more accessible lava tubes, to get information, borrow a flashlight and hardhat, or join in a ranger guided tour of a lava tube. Keep in mind that the inside of the lava tubes are often very sharp so sturdy shoes, long protective clothing and head protection are strongly recommended. Located in the northern end of the Monument, Captain Jack’s Stronghold, which is a rugged area of lava flows and outcroppings, can be explored along two interpretive loop trails, the shorter, 0.5 mile (0.8k) inner loop and the longer, 1.5 mile (2.4k) outer loop. We purchased the $0.50 trail guide, available from an honor box at the trailhead, and hiked the longer outer loop. While the trail is easily in terms of elevation gain, the terrain is rough as it finds its way through the lava field. In addition to the fascinating history interpreted along the trail, we found the stark beauty of the lava fields and high desert, with a number of panoramic vistas along the trail, wonderful. Travelling between these two features in the northern and southern portions of the Monument, one should also stop by Canby Cross which memorializes the location that the Peace Commission was “ambushed” by the Modoc resulting in the only death of a General during the Indian Wars. Both features of this Monument are very worthwhile and should be seen.

If you enjoy volcanic topography (and even if you don't know or care about it), be sure to visit Lava Beds. It has a great visitors center to direct your sight-seeing, and most of the main attractions are very accessible. We visited on a cold winter day; it must be excruciatingly hot in the summer on all that exposed lava, because it was darned cold in the winter on that high volcanic plateau, but the nature walks to see the various formations will warm you right up. The panoramic views over the lava beds are stupendous. Very interesting and well worth a visit.

My fiancee and I went through the monument in late November on a trip south and unfortunately got there a little late in the day. We went through Mushpot right next to the visitor's center and it was awesome! No flashlights needed because the lights turn on by motion sensors as you go in and since we were the only ones there it was pitch black as we went in and then the lights would turn on and expose the next part of the cave. It was like the cave was asking us to keep going. Then we only had enough sunlight left to do a short hike to the Big Painted Cave because I have a thing for petroglyphs but they were very difficult to see in the low light. I kept pointing out shapes and she kept saying they weren't petroglyphs so that was a little disappointing but as we walked back along the trail we were treated to a fantastic sunset. Lastly, don't leave the monument along the south road unless you enjoy driving miles on a gravel road. Mapquest led us that way and we wished we had just gone back out the north side. Overall though I'm excited to take my daughter there as soon as she is old enough and can't believe I never knew of this place until recently!

My girlfriend and I visited for a half day this past summer. We especially loved exploring Skull cave (with its year-round ice floor) and the golden dome cave. Bring your own flashlight (the rented ones work, but are bulky and weak). Wear a helmet; you'll need one. You can rent caving helmets at the visitor center, but bike helmets work just as well or better. Overall, the caving, the hiking, and the wildlife are superb. We wish we had had more than a day here. The $5 entry fee covers you for a week, so make it count!

My family camped here for two nights and had a really amazing time. The caves were a very unique experience. We also explored some of the public land just outside the national monument and my 9 year old found some arrowheads. I would recommend this for anyone. I could have stayed longer, but you could do the park justice in one full day.

Not only is Lava Beds National Monument a geological wonder with its many types of lava, caves, flora and fauna, but it contains an important piece of our history. It is the site of the Modoc Indian wars where the Modocs, led by Captain Jack held off U.S. Army forces ten times their number for five months before they finally surrendered because of a lack of food and water. Captain Jack's stronghold is well preserved and well worth walking the roped path through it. Wear sturdy walking shoes, and take a walking stick. The path is challenging.

Enjoyed the detour to Lava Beds National Monument on the way to Klamath Falls. Cool but sunny day, walked the shorter trail at Capt. Jack's Stronghold. Interesting history, trail guide is 50 cents with good info. Trail is uneven, obscure in a few places, keep your eyes on the path to avoid tripping on the lava. Worth the hike. Also went to Visitors Center and briefly explored one of the lava tubes/caves.

This park gives you a chance to see geology up close. Lots of great, short hikes take you to special features such as lava caves and chimneys. Lots of history here too. You can take an interpretive walk through the lava flow where the Modoc Indians held off the army. There is a nice visitor center with a splendid view of the area. Bring a picnic and drinks as the visitor center offers only limited snacks. Very scenic and interesting. Primitive camping only.

We decided to include Lava Beds in our US West Coast itinerary at the last minute and are very glad we did. Although we only had half a day, the park is quite compact and the main attractions are close together. The rangers were very helpful ( as always) and gave us tips on the best things to see. We went down three on the lava tubes with the help of the torches loaned from the visitor centre. What a fascinating volcanic feature. The lava flows are amazing and the chimneys at Feeneys unexpected. We didn't have time to look at the historic sites associated with the Indian wars, but thought the introductory video rather played down the injustices they suffered at the hands of settlers and the army.

We didn't know what to expect and found awesome lava caves, we went there five of them. Each was quite different and interesting. This is a must attraction if one is near Klamath Falls, Or., about an hour away. Suggest visiting between Crater Lake and Lassen Volcano Natl. Parks.

We used to visit this place as a child. It's amazing that after 40 years, it still looks the same. Good Job NPS! The caves are amazing. They are a must see. Stay at one of the campgrounds and take a long hike. You'll never be disappointed at the beautiful landscape.

We went to Lava beds on our way to Crater Lake from Lassen Volcanic NP. This place so interesting and so well maintained! Do check in at the visitor center before you start caving! They can give you information about the different caves and also suggest which caves to go to based on the time you have. Ranger led cave tours are definitely worth the time and I strongly recommend doing atleast one during your visit to understand this place better. We did the mushpot cave, the only lit cave and an easy one near the visitor center, before our ranger led tour of the sentinel cave. Even though mushpot had lot of information about the cave and how it was formed, we learnt lot more and appreciated the caves much better during and after the ranger led tour. Do make sure you have something warm while caving irrespective of the weather outside, as it can get really cold in there. You need flashlights to visit any of the caves but you can borrow one at the visitors center if you don't have one. You might also need knee pads, hard hats, long sleeve tees and pants if you are planning to do certain caves. Highly recommend visiting this interesting place.