Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Park Entrance is $25 per vehicle and is good for 7 days.
CA
Lava Beds National Monument
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Lava Beds at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- Half day–1 day
- Don't miss
- Main Lava Beds highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
- Nearby city
- Tulelake, CA
Explore this park
About Lava Beds National Monument
Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. More than 800 caves, Native American rock art sites, historic battlefields and campsites, and a high desert wilderness experience await you!
1 current NPS alert
- Information: White-Nose Syndrome / Cave Permit
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Lava Beds National Monument page on nps.gov
Weather Information
Park elevations range from 4,000 to 5,700 feet. Cold weather is possible any time of year, and snow has been recorded in all months.
- Summer
daytime highs average 75° to 80°F; lows average 50°F.
- Winter
daytime highs average 40°F; lows average 20°F.
Morning fog is frequent from autumn through spring. Occasional thunderstorms occur in summer.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Park Entrance is $15 per person and is good for 7 days.
Operating Hours
The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The visitor center is typically only closed on Christmas Day but will sometimes temporarily close in the winter due to weather or maintenance. Temporary closures are usually posted as an alert and/or on our social media. For visitor center hours please the Visitor Center section below.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00Lava Beds National Monument, Crater Lake National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area all share an annual pass. It is $55.00 and is valid for a year from the date of purchase.
Common questions
Planning Lava Beds National Monument
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 1 reservation type on the Permits tab, including Lava Beds National Monument Tours. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
