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500,000 years ago the earth opened cracking and sputtering, it released liquid rock and rivers of fire across the landscape. Intermittent eruptions over thousands of years layered the land, leaving intricate caves, cones, craters and black jagged blankets of lava.
Established in 1925, Lava Beds National Monument protects this volcanic land.
Mushpot Cave
Located under the visitors center, it is the only cave in the park paved with lighting. It is a good introductory cave.
The ceiling
Mammoth Crater
Impressive 36,000 year old vents that created lava tube caves in this area.
Lava Beds has thirteen hiking trails but this is the one we picked.
Heppe Cave
Merrill Cave entrance. You definitely needed a good flashlight for this one.
Lava Beds Petroglyphs section
For thousands of years, the hill rising in front of you was an island. Ancient Lake Modoc lapped against its base. Later, Native Americans canoed to these cliffs to carve symbols in the soft volcanic tuff.
Home to thousands of Swallows.
