Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

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Planning a visit in the near future? This webpage describes what is open and closed in the park right now. After reading this page, feel free to call us at 530-667-8113 if you have any questions. We can be reached by phone 10 am - 4 pm daily, unless the visitor center is closed.

COVID Status

As of August 8, 2022 Siskiyou County is rated as moderate on the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Level data tracker. Until further notice wearing masks is optional.
 

Camping

A portion of Lava Beds campground is always open year round. The camping fee is $10 which can be paid at the campground information station. All sites are primitive and sites are first come first serve.

Current Status:
Loop A :Open
Loop B: Open
Group Site: Open (Requires reservation and a minimum of 15 people)
 

Road Construction Update

A parkwide pavement project began in June 2022 and will continue throughout September 2023. 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. Visitors should expect up to 30-minute delays. We also ask that visitors please follow posted traffic signs and obey the instructions of the flaggers.

Throughout the month of September there will be closures at the visitor center parking lot and Cave Loop Road. During this time access to Cave Loop Road will be limited for both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Current Impacts:
Skull Cave Road-Skull Cave, Symbol Bridge and Big Painted Cave may be closed during weekdays between 6:00 am and 6:00pm while work is being done on Skull Cave road.
Scenic Lookouts and Trailhead Parking Areas- Some scenic lookouts and trailhead parking areas are currently gravel and uneven.

To learn more about the parkwide pavement project please visit the most recent news release here.

 

Road Condtions

Current Road Condtions: All roads in the park are open except for the road to Merrill Ice Cave. Some trailhead parking areas and sections of road throughout the park are currently dirt/gravel due to an ongoing parkwide pavement project.

For a better overview of road conditions near Lava Beds, please use the links below.

California Roads:
Caltrans CCTV Maps
Caltrans District 2 Facebook (Most-up-to-date road closures)

Oregon Roads:
Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck - Oregon Traveler Information

 

Current Air Quality

At Lava Beds National Monument particles, nitrogen, and ozone affect natural resources including vegetation and wildlife, and visibility of scenic vistas. Visit these following links to look at air quality and smoke forecasts for Lava Beds. View More Data
 

Other Live Data for Air Quality

Monitor Air Quality – Live Data: Entrance Station or Research Center

 

Current Closures

Current Trail Closures-

  • Whitney Butte Trail

Current Cave Closures-

Caves may be closed seasonally, or year round, depending on several reasons. Currently the following caves are closed.

  • Blue Grotto Cave

  • Ovis Cave

  • South Labyrinth

  • Paradise Alleys

  • Thunderbolt Cave (Gated Section)

  • Balcony Cave

  • Merrill Cave

For more info on Lava Beds cave closures please visit our caving page.

Current Wildfire Closures-
Due to the effects of the 2021 Antelope Fire a majority of the southwestern part of Lava Beds is closed to the public. However, the Big Nasty Trail and the Heppe Cave Trail are open to the public but those hiking must stay on the marked trails to minimize impact on the burned areas around it.

 
Map highlighting park closures in the southwestern portion of the monument
The southwest sections of the park are closed due to unsafe post-wildfire conditions. The park road and most trails are open. Please follow closure signs when in the park.

NPS

 

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Last updated: October 1, 2022

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1240
Tulelake , CA 96134

Phone:

530 667-8113

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