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Indian Well Campground

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Know Before You Go!

Check current conditions, closures, and fire restrictions here before your visit.

 

Campsites includes table, fire pit and cooking grill.

Campground Information

Lava Beds has one campground, Indian Well Campground, located 1/2 mile (0.8 km) from the visitor center and cave loop. There are 43 sites available on a first-come, first serve basis. Sites can accommodate tents, pickup campers, small trailers and motor homes up to 30 feet (not all sites can accommodate motor homes).

Included in the standard campsites are a picnic table, fire ring, and cooking grill. Wood fires are permitted unless otherwise posted. Restrooms with water, sinks and flush toilets are available year-round in the campground.
Not Available: Showers, hookups, dump station and amenities such as gasoline, and propane.

The campground typically only fills on summer weekends near holidays. In the event the campground is full, staff can direct you to several campgrounds within a 30-minute drive and dispersed vehicle camping on the Modoc National Forest just south of Lava Beds National Monument. Camping in any other developed area outside of the Indian Well Campground is prohibited within the Monument.

B-Loop of the campground closes for the winter after the Thanksgiving holiday. It usually reopens in Spring.

Camping Rates

Standard Campsites: $20 per night.

Holders of a Lifetime Access or Senior pass receive a 50% discount on campsites.

We only accept contactless “Tap” credit/debit card payment of camping fees. No cash or check can be accepted. You can pay for your camping permit at the Recreation Fee Machine at the Campground Self Pay Kiosk as you enter the campground. If you do not have the contactless payment ability on your credit card, please pay and obtain camping permit at the Visitor Center within open hours.

Campground Regulations

*Please see the Laws and Policy page for all park regulations.

• Campsite capacity for standard campsite at the Indian Well Campground is 8 persons per site.
• In any 30-day period, camping in Lava Beds National Monument may not exceed 14 days, either consecutively or in a combined period. Further, camping within the monument shall not exceed 30 days annually.
• A valid Camping Permit is required for camping in Indian Well Campground. Camping permits are available at the self-registration kiosk in Indian Well Campground and must be obtained within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. Affix your purchased camping permit to your campsite post.
• Indian Well Campground quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and all campground rules apply to groups. Generators may not be used during quiet hours.
• A maximum of two vehicles or three motorcycles per campsite is permitted in Indian Well Campground provided those vehicles do not obstruct traffic.
• Failing to have at least one person occupy a designated campsite during the first night after camping equipment has been set up is prohibited.
• Holding or reserving a campsite for another party is prohibited. Sites may not be paid for by those who do not intend to occupy the site immediately. Sites for which required fees are not paid will be considered unoccupied and available for use. Sites left unattended for more than 24 hours will be considered open and available for other campers.
• Park all vehicles, trailers, RV, campers, etc. within the designated parking spot of the campsite site and on pavement only. If your vehicle, trailer, RV, camper, etc. encroach into an adjacent parking spot of another campsite you are required to purchase that additional spot to accommodate the equipment size. You will need to buy a sperate permit for each designated campsite. You may park additional vehicles in front of the A-Loop bathrooms if available or at the Visitor Center parking lot.
• Persons are prohibited from utilizing a campsite for day use or picnicking within Indian Well Campground unless they have obtained a camping permit intended for overnight use.
• Fires are permitted only in metal fire rings within Indian Well Campground. Fires may be prohibited during periods of very high or extreme fire danger.
• Dead and down firewood can be collected on the nearby Modoc National Forest. Wood may also be collected from designated collection/disposal sites in the Monument and will be posted as available to the public and located at the campground when available.
• All food, garbage, and equipment used to cook or store food must be kept sealed in a vehicle, or in a storage unit that is constructed of solid, non-pliable material.
• Pets are permitted in the campground and may be left tied to an object in an occupied campsite with owner present in Indian Well Campground (subject to a valid Camping Permit) provided they create no hazard or nuisance.

 

Group campsite includes, picnic tables, 2 pit toilets, group fire ring, water spigot and large cooking grill

Group Campsite

The Group Campsite is in the B-Loop of the Indian Well Campground. The group site is only for groups with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 40 campers. The group campsite includes picnic tables, grills, two pit toilets, a group fire ring, water spigot and a large cooking grill. The group campground is gated, and one vehicle at a time is permitted for loading/unloading.

Only 2 vehicles are allowed to park behind the gate at the group campsite. All vehicles must be parked in the "A" loop overflow parking area, near the bathrooms, or at the Visitors Center. There may be parking directly across from the group campsite gate at campsite B7 for approximately 4 vehicles if occupants pay additionally for that campsite.

Group site closes from November 1st to March 31st. It will reopen from April 1st to October 31st.

Camping Rates

Group Campsite: $60 per night.

The Group campsite is excluded from the 50% discount for holders of a Lifetime Access or Senior pass.

Fee waivers are not available for the site.

The Group Campsite Site is reservation only, on Recreation.gov.

 

Backcountry Camping

· Free backcountry camping is permitted.

· Restrictions are in place for camping near developed areas and caves.

· Fires are prohibited and no surface water is available.

· No groups of more than 12 individuals are permitted.

· For details on regulations, camping etiquette, horses and natural hazards see the page on Wilderness Camping