Exploring the natural fortifications of Captain Jack's Stronghold

The most popular trails at Lava Beds are short, few are long, and most lead to significant sites in the monument. Pets are not permitted on any of the trails.

Bunchgrass Trail:
Starts across from Site B-7 in Campground. Runs around the northeast side of Crescent Butte to the park road. Approximately 1 mile long.

Heppe Ice Cave:
Heppe Cave Trail can be found on the road to Mammoth Crater, 2.2 miles from the main park road. This is a .4 mile trail that begins under tall pine trees. As you reach the end of the trail you can view an enormous collapse. Follow the trail into Heppe Cave that has a large opening at both ends.

Hidden Valley and Mammoth Crater:
A short trail that is reached by a three-mile drive up a graded gravel road that begins one mile north of the visitor center. Follow the paved trail up to the rim of Mammoth Crater. Lava flowed from this crater about 30,000 years ago, creating most of the lava tube caves in the monument. Hidden Valley is across the street. A trail meanders down the valley wall and across the valley floor under the ponderosa pines.

Big Nasty Trail:
A semi-loop trail, two miles one way. Named after a brush-covered rough lava area just to the north, described as, "It is big and it is nasty!". Go to Mammoth Crater/Hidden Valley pullout. Trail starts at crater rim, left from Mammoth Crater Trail.

Missing Link Trail:
This trail links the Three Sisters Trail to the Bunchgrass Trail, making Three Sisters a loop. Starts on the Bunchgrass Trail about .5 miles from the campground B-Loop. It is .7 mile on the trail to Skull Cave road, and .1 mile on the road to Skull Cave and the Lyons/Three Sisters Trail. The complete loop is 10 miles.

Schonchin Butte Trail:
Climbs .9 mile to the fire lookout and a panoramic view. Steep, but worth the effort. You can be a guest of the lookout on duty. Please stay on the designated trail and do not shortcut switchbacks.

Big Painted Cave & Symbol Bridge Trail:
Winds .75 mile past interesting lava tube collapses and other features. Many fine pictographs at the bridge and cave. Take Skull Cave Road to parking area and trailhead.

Black Crater and Thomas-Wright Battlefield Trail:
Volcanism and history. Less than .3 mile to the crater; 1.1 miles to the end of the trail and a view of the battlefield. Fine wildflower displays along the way in season.

Gillems Bluff:
This trail climbs to the top of Gillems Bluff, .7 mile, for a view of Gillems Camp and the surrounding landscape; elevation gain 550 feet. Watch for rattlesnakes in the summer.

Captain Jacks Stronghold Trail:
Two self-guiding interpretive trails through the heart of the Modoc War. Inner loop .6 mile; outer loop 1.1 miles. Be prepared for rough terrain.

Petroglyph Point Trail:
Begins on the east side of Petroglyph Point about .3 miles beyond the bulletin board. The trail head parking lot is on top of a short rise across from the trail entrance. Trail to the top is .25 mile. Impressive view.

Three Sisters Trail:
Entered at the campground from A-Loop, this trail circles out into the back country and returns to the Skull Cave Road. 8.8 miles.

Lyons Trail:
A former monument road, this trail crosses the wilderness area on a north-south axis between Skull Cave parking area and Hospital Rock on the North Boundary Road. 9.8 miles.

Whitney Butte Trail:
From Merrill Cave parking area to the west boundary of the monument, this trail crosses the wilderness in an east-west direction, curving around Whitney Butte. Enjoy an impressive view of Mt. Shasta and the Callahan lava flow, 3.3 miles.


Wilderness Hiking & Camping

On October 13, 1972, 27,970 acres of Lava Beds National Monument back country were designated wilderness. The following are a few precautions and regulations to keep in mind when traveling in any wilderness area:

Weather:
Prepare for sudden, and often violent, weather changes. Snow and freezing temperatures have been seen here in every month of the year. Normal summer temperatures can drop 50 degrees or more in a short time. Heat can be an issue in the summer months, with highs in the 80s or 90s with low relative humidity and intense sun.

Water:
There are no springs, streams or lakes here. You must carry plenty of water. Be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen in the summer.

Off-Trail Hiking:
Prepare for hard going. Hiking off the trail is often quite difficult and slow.

Fires:
Extreme care must be taken with fire safety. The vegetation here is highly flammable, especially during long, hot, dry spells. Open fires are not allowed at any time in the backcountry. Gas stoves are permitted, unless extreme wildfire danger causes a ban on these as well. Check at the Visitor Center for more information.

Backcountry Camping:
Camping in or within 50 yards of caves or in the vicinity of chimneys is not permitted. Camping within 1/4 mile of roads, trails, and parking areas is also prohibited. No more than 12 campers should be in any group.

Start at the Visitor Center:
Check for current weather information and details of regulations at the visitor center before departing.

DON'T:

- Pets, hunting, bicycles, and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the wilderness area.

- The wildlife you may encounter in the wilderness areas have not yet become accustomed to people like those around the visitor center, campground, and parking lots. Please help keep it that way!

DO:

- Learn the rules and live by them.

- Enjoy your visit with nature, study the different plants, watch the wildlife, follow the graceful flight of soaring hawks, vultures, and perhaps even an eagle.

- Enjoy...but be careful--for yourself and for the environment.

- Carry first aid supplies and always let someone know the general area you expect to use and the time you expect to return.

- If you pack it in, pack it out. Leave what you find. All historic and prehistoric objects, plants, animals and rocks are protected. Please store your food securely and do not share your lunch with any wild animals.

- Please stay on designated trails wherever possible.