Tulelake - Lava Beds National Monument
In the extreme northeast of California in a thinly populated region seldom visited by tourists, extends the Lava Beds National Monument, founded in 1925 and covering an area of 72sq.miles/186sq.km, with strange lava formations dating back thousands of years. It is only a few miles from the Oregon border and lies between the CA 139 and U.S. 97. Barren heaps of ash, some more than 330ft/100m high with steep craters, leave their mark on the landscape.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
Lava Beds National Monument
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Lava Beds National Monument
Box 867
Tulelake, CA 96134-0867
United States
Box 867
Tulelake, CA 96134-0867
United States
Phone 1 5306672282X232
Fax 1 (530) 667-2737
Hours
June 15 to September 7
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 8 to June 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
There is a camp-site in Indian Wells but no filling station inside the park. The Visitor Center is on the south side. Those wishing to explore the caves can do so with the aid of a plan. Torches are available from the Visitor Center free of charge and safety helmets can be hired for a small fee. There are slide shows in the Center during the Summer months.
Related Attractions
Caves
There are more than 200 caves at the Lava Beds National Monument which provided hiding-places and also acted as small fortresses for the Modoc Indians in their last battles against the American army in the years 1872/1873. In spite of the far superior U.S. forces, the Indians were able to hold out for six months. Some of the best-known caves bear descriptive names, such as Sentinel Cave, Catacombs Cave, Skull Cave (because so many skulls of mountain sheep were found there).
