News Release

Paving at Lava Beds National Monument – Update for September

Date: August 25, 2022

TULELAKE, California— The ongoing replacement of the pavement on the park’s roads will continue to impact park sites. 

As the park’s paving project heads south, over the next several weeks there will be temporary closures and disruptions to some of the park’s sites. Updates and road status can be obtained by visiting the park’s website, www.nps.gov/labe, or by calling the visitor center during business hours at [phone]. Please expect the following conditions: 

• Valentine Cave Road and Skull Cave Road will be temporarily closed while the pavement is removed and replaced.  It is anticipated that the closures will last only a few days at each site. Merrill Cave Road is currently closed due to ongoing work resulting from the Antelope Fire last fall in addition to the repaving project. 
• The campground will still be accessible during the repaving of the campground access road. Traffic control will be provided on the access road during the hours when pavement work is being done. Please note, the two loops in the campground will not be paved this year, only the access road. 
• There will be closures to the visitor center parking lot and Cave Loop Road in September. Work is anticipated to begin in these areas on September 6th.  During this time, please park at the Indian Well Cave parking lot and walk up the pathway to access the visitor center. Work in these areas is expected to last through September. 
• To accommodate park staffing at the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair, from September 8th to 11th, the visitor centers at Lava Beds and Tule Lake National Monuments will be closed. Please come and visit us at the fair! 

Over the course of the project, please expect the following conditions:  

• There could be delays up to thirty minutes in the construction zone. Work will generally be done Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Work will not typically occur on weekends and holidays. 
• Please obey the instructions of the flaggers on the road and watch for the pilot car before traveling through the construction zone. 
• When waiting for the pilot car, please remain with your vehicle. 
• Please obey posted speed limits. 
• Please refrain from parking around barriers that mark closed sections of the roads. Access is needed for construction and safety vehicles. 

For those without an Interagency or park annual pass, the entrance fee to Lava Beds National Monument can be paid at the entrance station when staffed, at the visitor center when open, or via cash at the self-pay kiosk outside the visitor center (which will be accessible throughout the repaving work). 

We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the construction process. 

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Lava Beds National Monument, established in 1925, is a land of turmoil, both geologic and historic. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. Lava tube caves, Native American sites, historic battlefields and a high desert wilderness experience await you! 

For more information about visiting Lava Beds National Monument, call 530-667-8113, email e-mail us, or go to www.nps.gov/labe. Like us on Facebook!