Campgrounds

Know Before You Go!

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

 

Open

Indian Well Campground

Basic Information

Indian Well Campground is located 1/2 mile (0.8 km) from the Visitor Center. There are 43 sites available on a first-come, first serve basis. Included in the standard campsites are a picnic table, fire ring, and cooking grill. The campground typically only fills on summer weekends near holidays.

Sites can accommodate tents, pickup campers, small trailers and motor homes up to 30 feet. Note: not all sites can accommodate motor homes.

TOTAL SITES: 43

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 0

Walk to/Boat to: 0

Group: 1

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Campground Features

Amenities

Cell Phone Reception

Yes, Year-Round

Internet Connectivity

No

Trash/Recycling Collection

Yes, Year-Round

Food Storage Lockers

No

Camp Store

No

Ice for Sale

Yes, Year-Round

Firewood for Sale

No

Staff On Site

Yes, Seasonal

Amphitheater

Yes, Seasonal

Laundry

No

Dump Station

No

Potable Water

Potable Water

Fire/Stove Policy

Wood fires are permitted inside fire rings unless otherwise posted. Camp stoves are also permitted.

Toilet Types

• Flush Toilets - year round

Shower Types

• None

Operating Hours & Seasons

• Every Day:Open 24 hours

There is a self-pay station at the campground, so visitors can check in at any time. Campers are required to also get a cave permit, at the visitor center. Loop B closes for the winter after the Thanksgiving holiday. The Group Site is open April 1 - October 31.

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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.

Fees

Camping fee

Sites are $20 per night, per site, and include a picnic table fire ring and cooking grill. Holders of an Access or Senior pass receive a 50% discount on their site. We only accept contactless “Tap” credit/debit card payment for camping fees. No cash or check can be accepted. You can pay 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 at the Visitor Center after picking a site.

$20.00

Contact Information & Directions

Email Address

Send this campground an email

Phone number (Voice)

5306678113

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 1240
Tulelake , CA 96134

Physical Address

1 Indian Well HQ
Tulelake , CA 96134

Directions

Indian Well Campground is located 1/2 mile (0.8 km) from the Visitor Center and cave loop.

Directions Details

Additional Information & Regulations

Additional Information

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.

Cell Phone Additional Information

Cell phone reception is spotty, and is sometimes better at the visitor center.

Internet Additional Information

WIFI is available at the visitor center.

Regulations

Quiet hours are from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and all campground rules apply to groups.

Maximum 8 persons per site, 2 vehicles or 3 motorcycles

Maximum stay is 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period

Pets are permitted in the campground but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet (1.8 m) Pets are not permitted in caves, trails or in buildings.

For additional regulations please see below.

Reservations

Regular campsites are first-come, first-severed. The Group Campsite Site is reservation only. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance on Recregation.gov.

Image Gallery

Campsite

paved campsite with raised platform for tents

map showing the road into the campground, splitting into loop A and loop B w

Campsite in A Loop
NPS Photo

ADA Campsite in Loop A
NPS

Indian Well Campground
NPS

Accessibility Information

ADA Information - There are two campsites that are designated as ADA camp sites. There are also ADA restrooms in both the A and B loops of the campgrounds and a paved trail to the paved amphitheater.

Wheelchair Access - The two ADA campsites have paved surfaces that provide wheelchair access to the picnic tables, camp stove, and water spigots. The campground roads are paved with sloped sidewalks allowing easy access to restrooms, drinking fountains and the amphitheater.

RV & Trailer Information - The campgrounds is designed primarily for tent camping but small (less than 35 ft long) RV and trailers can be accommodated at a few sites.

RV Allowed - Yes

RV Max Length in Feet - 30

Trailer Allowed - Yes

Trailer Max Length in Feet - 30

Classification - This campground is a developed campground.

 

Open

Group Campsite

Basic Information

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.

Group site is open April 1st - October 31st. It can be reserved up to 6 months in advanced.

TOTAL SITES: 1

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 1

Walk to/Boat to: 0

Group: 1

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Campground Features

Amenities

Cell Phone Reception

Yes, Year-Round

Internet Connectivity

No

Trash/Recycling Collection

Yes, Seasonal

Food Storage Lockers

No

Camp Store

No

Ice for Sale

Yes, Seasonal

Firewood for Sale

No

Staff On Site

Yes, Seasonal

Amphitheater

Yes, Year-Round

Laundry

No

Dump Station

No

Potable Water

Potable Water - Seasonal

Fire/Stove Policy

Wood fires are permitted inside fire rings unless otherwise posted. Camp stoves are also permitted.

Toilet Types

• Vault Toilets - seasonal

Shower Types

• None

Operating Hours & Seasons

• Every Day:Open 24 hours

The group campsite is only open April 1st - October 31st. A loop of the main campground is open year-round. B loop of the main campground is closed after Thanksgiving weekend, and reopens in the spring.

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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.

Fees

Group Campsite Fee

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.

$60.00

Contact Information & Directions

Directions

The Group Campsite is located off of B Loop in the Indian Well Campground. The campground is located 1/2 mile (0.8 km) from the Visitor Center and cave loop.

Additional Information & Regulations

Additional Information

Flush toilets are available in both A & B loop of the campground.

Cell Phone Additional Information

Cell phone reception is spotty and is sometimes better at the visitor center.

Internet Additional Information

WIFI is available at the visitor center.

Regulations

One group site is available for a minimum of 15 campers, and a maximum of 40. Group Site is Reservation Only. The site is gated and locked. Lock code will be provided after reservation is made.

Only 2 vehicles are allowed to park behind the gate at the group campsite. RV's and campers are prohibited. All other vehicles must be parked in the "A" loop overflow parking area, near the bathrooms, or at the Visitors Center.

All other camping regulations are listed below.

Reservations

The Group Campsite Site is reservation only. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance on Recregation.gov. Groups must have at least 15 people with a max of 40. The Group campsite is excluded from the 50% discount for holders of a Lifetime Access or Senior pass. The Group site is open from April 1st to October 31st.

Reservations

Image Gallery

Looking towards group site, brown bathroom building on the left, and picnic tables in the background

Group Site Fire Pit and Picnic Area

Group Camp Site
NPS

Group Site Fire Pit and Picnic Area
NPS

 

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.

 

Backcountry Camping

· Free backcountry camping is allowed and does not require a camping permit.

· It is not required but it is recommended that you notify the visitor center of your plans.

· 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