• Schonchin Butte

    Lava Beds

    National Monument California

Operating Hours & Seasons

Visitor Center Displays

Lava Beds National Monument is always open to visitors.

Lava Beds' caves, trails, camping, and attractions are open year-round. Cave Loop Drive is closed to vehicles after dark, but you may still enter on foot or bicycle. Occasionally in winter, snow can temporarily close park roads until they are plowed.

Most years, the Visitor Center is open every day except December 25th.

Hours are as follows:

  • Summer: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    (the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day)
  • Fall, Winter, Spring: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (with occasional short closures at mid-day)

Did You Know?

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is the largest flower in the sunflower family found in the monument. Native Americans boiled and ate the roots, and used the leaves to make a tea to soothe stomach pain and headaches.