Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

 
Planning a visit in the near future? This webpage describes what is open and closed in the park right now. After reading this page, feel free to call us at 530-667-8113 if you have any questions. We can be reached by phone 9am - 4:30pm daily, unless the visitor center is closed.

 

Camping

A portion of Lava Beds campground is always open year round. The camping fee is $20 which can be paid at the campground information station. All sites are primitive and sites are first come first serve.

Current Status:
Loop A : Open
Loop B: Closed for winter (B-Loop is typically closed from mid-November to mid-March.)
Group Site: Closed for winter (Requires reservation and a minimum of 15 people)

Fire Restrictions:
There are no current fire restrictions.
 

Road Condtions

Current Road Condtions: All roads in the park are open.

FS-49 (Road to Medicine Lake): The section of FS-49 from Doorknob Snowpark south is closed to due to snow. It is only passable via snowmobile.

Winter Road Conditions:
Road conditions during winter months can change rapidly. Ice and snow might be present on all park roads and parking areas.

Please note that some park roads and roads leading into the park (primarily from the south) are not maintained and may be closed from November to mid May depending on conditions. Please review the map and the list of roads below.

  • FS-97: The road leading from Bartle, CA to Tionesta, CA is not maintained. This road also leads to FS-49 & FS-10.
  • FS-49 (Road to Medicine Lake): The section of FS-49 from Doorknob Snowpark south to FS-97 to is not maintained and heavy snowfall can be expected from November through mid May. Lava Beds maintains the gravel road from bunchgrass overlook to Doorknob Snowpark in the Modoc National Forest. (This road often is listed as the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway on google and other GPS services)
  • FS-10 (Tionesta to Lava Beds): The section of park road just south of Valentine Cave leading into FS-10 and Tionesta is rough and not maintained during the winter.

For a better overview of road conditions near Lava Beds, please use the links below.

California Roads:
Caltrans CCTV Maps
Caltrans District 2 Facebook (Most-up-to-date road closures)

Oregon Roads:
Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck - Oregon Traveler Information

 
Area Map showing roads that are not maintained or that might be closed during winter weather.
During winter months roads leading to Lava Beds from the south may not be maintained or closed. These roads include FS-97, FS-49 and FS-10.

NPS Graphic

 

Current Air Quality

At Lava Beds National Monument particles, nitrogen, and ozone affect natural resources including vegetation and wildlife, and visibility of scenic vistas. Visit these following links to look at air quality and smoke forecasts for Lava Beds.

View More Data

 

Other Live Data for Air Quality

Monitor Air Quality – Live Data: Entrance Station or Research Center

 

Current Closures

Current Cave Closures-

Caves may be closed seasonally, or year round, depending on several reasons. Currently, the following caves are closed:

  • Skull Cave
  • Sentinel Cave
  • Sunshine
  • Labyrinth & Lava Brook
  • Hercules Leg & Juniper
  • Thunderbolt (the section that connects to Lava Brook)

For more info on Lava Beds cave closures please visit our caving page.

 

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Last updated: March 7, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1240
Tulelake, CA 96134

Phone:

530 667-8113

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