An eager school group getting ready to enter Mushpot Cave.

Caves Tours

Lava Beds National Monument offers a wide variety of cave experiences to visitors. Mushpot Cave includes an amphitheater, where rangers offer orientation programs about the cave system. During the summer months, and intermittently throughout the year, rangers lead tours through the different "public" caves. Each ranger chooses a specific cave for tours, so visitors who stay through multiple days can see several different caves.

Crystal Ice Cave Tours

Crystal Ice Cave contains some of the most spectacular ice formations among Lava Beds many caves. Because of the sensitive nature of this cave's formations and air flow, it is open to park visitors on small ranger-guided tours only during winter months. 3.5-hour tours of six visitors each are offered every Saturday at 1:00 p.m. from December through March. This is a strenous excursion for people 12 years and older in good physical condition. Cavers ascend a sloped ice floor with the aid of a fixed rope, crawl through holes, and negotiate boulder-strewn floors while avoiding fragile formations. Helmets, gloves, sturdy shoes, and layered clothing are required. Headlamps and kneepads are highly recommended. Each tour can be reserved up to three weeks in advance by calling the Visitor Center at 530-667-8113 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. This is an adventure you won't soon forget!

Educational Programs

The caves also serve as an educational resource. Throughout the school year, groups of students come to the monument. After orientation in Mushpot cave, students are free to explore the caves, either with their teachers or under a ranger's guidance. The orientation program emphasizes the fragile nature of the cave features, and reinforces the monument's unofficial motto, "Cave Softly, Cave Safely". As the monument Outreach program develops, we hope to carry the message directly to the classroom, to enhance the educational experience offered by the unique features of Lava Beds National Monument.