There are some pretty spectacular sights here in Northern California, but there is nothing quite like the Lava Beds National Monument. Located near Tulelake, California, Lava Beds has amazing natural lava tubes as well as unique history like no where else in the world.
The Lava Beds National Monument is located in Siskiyou and Modoc counties in the far northeast corner of California.
Wikimedia/ TheConduqtor
Below the earth’s surface are numerous lava tube caves. 25 of these are marked for public access and exploration. Hercules Leg is just one of these caves.
Flickr/ Tjflex2
Lava Tubes are formed when the surface cools but molten lava still flows underground after a volcanic eruption.
Flickr/ Jeff Moser
The caves are a huge draw for visitors to the national monument. Pictured here is the Crystal Ice Cave, which is only open for the public on ranger led tours.
Flickr/ Michael (a.k.a. moik) McCullough
Plenty of other caves are available for self guided tours, however. Local flora and fauna in caves like this one include bats.
Flickr/ Tjflex2
Mushpot Cave is one of the least challenging caves to explore. Tall explorers beware the low hanging cave ceilings, however!
Wikimedia/ Leonard G.
There are so many intriguing places to explore underground; you’ll be surprised at how much fun you’ll have if this is your first time visiting.
Flickr/ Jeff Moser
You’ll probably also learn a lot about things you’ve never known existed, like these “Lavacicles” in Golden Dome Cave.
Wikimedia/Brian W. Schaller
If underground explorations aren’t your thing, there are plenty of trails and interpretive sites to check out above the earth’s surface.
Flickr/ Jeff Moser
This is a view of Schonchin Butte cinder cone from park headquarters. Cinder cones are also formed from volcanic eruptions when the ashes pile up around the eruption.
Wikimedia/ Beej Jorgensen
There’s an incredible history in this area. From 1935 and 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps built up most of the structures you still see today at the monument. Unlike this outdated equipment, most of the facilities they built are still in use today.
Flickr/ Jeff Moser
Long before that, however, this land was inhabited by the Modoc and Klamath tribes. What is now the Lava Beds was the site of the 1872-1873 Modoc War.
Wikimedia/Daniel Mayer
There are amazing petroglyphs located here that are over 2,500 years old.
Flickr/ Ray Bouknight
Whether you come for the history, the adventure, or a combination of both, you’ll be shocked and awed by the Lava Beds National Monument.
Wikimedia/ Michael (a.k.a. moik) McCullough
It’s incredible that many people live their lives in Northern California and have yet to make it all the way out to the Lava Beds National Monument. Have you gone and explored the caves there? Share your story and any photos with us on our Facebook page.
Wikimedia/ TheConduqtor
Flickr/ Tjflex2
Flickr/ Jeff Moser
Flickr/ Michael (a.k.a. moik) McCullough
Wikimedia/ Leonard G.
Wikimedia/Brian W. Schaller
Wikimedia/ Beej Jorgensen
Wikimedia/Daniel Mayer
Flickr/ Ray Bouknight
Wikimedia/ Michael (a.k.a. moik) McCullough
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