Lava Beds National Monument is the best park you have never been to. It is so far up in the Northeast part of California that it took me five years to finally make it, but I am glad I did. The monument itself has over 46,000 acres and on that property, it features more than […]

As the longest of the nonextreme caves in Lava Beds National Monument, Sentinel Cave is an amazing experience for anyone who isn’t afraid of a little darkness. This cave has you hiking in the dark for about 15-20 minutes and over 3,280 feet. It’s pretty surreal when you do it and make sure to bring […]

Sunshine Cave is unique in Lava Beds National Monument as it is one of the few caves that has cave-ins that let in the light. There are a couple of others in the park that have this but what sets Sunshine Cave apart is how big the cave in is and that the light coming through […]

Golden Dome Cave is a great lava tube in Lava Beds National Monument if you are feeling adventurous and want to do some more legit caving. This cave has a less defined trail and some areas which require you to bend over to get through, so it feels more intense than many of the other […]

Mushpot Cave is the perfect place to start in Lava Beds National Monument. It is an introductory cave which has interpretive signs and is lit, so you don’t need a flashlight. While it’s not as impressive as the others, it is a good way to get excited about the area. Details 770 feet Paved path […]

Schonchin Butte is one of the best ways to get a birds eye view of Lava Beds National Monument. While most trails go underground in the park, this trail goes straight up to the top of Schonchin Butte and to the fire lookout that sits on the lava rock at the top. Here is all […]

Skull Cave is easily the most popular lava tube in Lava Beds National Monument and for good reason, it is awe inspiring. When you walk to the edge and see the massive mouth of the cave opening in front of you, you will not soon forget it. The unusual thing about the cave is that […]