Basic Information

Physical Address

1 Indian Well HQ
Tulelake , CA 96134

Directions

Lava Beds is a truly remote park, in a corner of California most people never visit. Most roads into this area wind through mountains, and along rivers, and travel may take longer than expected. Services are few and far between and winter driving conditions can be encountered anytime between fall and spring.

Directions Details

Operating Hours & Seasons

All Park Hours

• Every Day:Open 24 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.

Weather

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. Winter day­time highs average 40°F; lows average 20°F. Morning fog is frequent from autumn through spring. Summer daytime highs average 75° to 80°F; lows average 50°F. Occasional thunderstorms occur in summer.

Current Weather Condtions

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fee (Standard Entrance Pass)

Type	Dates	Cost
Private Vehicle	Year-round	$25.00
Motorcycle	Year-round	$20.00
Per Person	Year-round	$15.00

Other Entrance Passes

Type	Cost
Annual Park Pass	$55.00

Visitor Centers

Lava Beds Visitor Center

Lava Beds is home to one visitor center located at the south end of the park, near cave loop road. An entrance station is located at the north end of the park, but is only open in the summer. As you drive through the park you can find information kiosks with park maps at Petroglyph Point, and Gillem's Camp.

• Sunday-Tuesday:9:30 AM–4:00 PM
• Wednesday:11:30 AM–4:00 PM
• Thursday-Saturday:9:30 AM–4:00 PM

The visitor center is open from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Thursdays - Tuesdays. Wednesdays the Visitor Center is open 11:30am - 4:00 pm.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Holidays

2025–2026

Thanksgiving Day	November 27, 2025	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed
Holiday	Date	Hours

Internet & Cellular Access

Public WiFi is available.

For limited cell phone service - throughout the park you should expect limited service, but might get service at the visitor center. You can also get free WiFi at the visitor center.

Internet & Cellular Access Details

 

Distant storms skirt the monument, as seen from the visitor center.

NPS, Alison Bender

 

Be Prepared

• For changing weather conditions above ground, and cool cave temperatures below ground.
• For wildlife - be aware of wildlife crossing the road, use pullouts to watch wildlife and do not feed or approach wildlife.
• For limited cell phone service - throughout the park you should expect limited service, but might get service at the visitor center. You can also get WiFi at the visitor center.
• Pets are not allowed on trails, in caves, or in the visitor center.

 

Goods & Services

The Lava Beds Natural History Association bookstore in the Visitor Center provides snack food, ice, flashlights both for loan and purchase, helmets, batteries, books, and an assortment of souvenirs. No gas, restaurants, or showers are available in the park, but can be found in the nearby communities of Tionesta, CA; Tulelake, CA; and Merrill, OR (20-30 minutes from the Visitor Center area).