Fodor's Expert Review Lava Beds National Monument
Thousands of years of volcanic activity created this rugged landscape, distinguished by cinder cones, lava flows, spatter cones, pit craters, and more than 400 underground lava tube caves. During the Modoc War (1872–73), the indigenous Modoc people, under the leadership of their chief "Captain Jack" Kintpuash, took refuge in a natural lava fortress now known as Captain Jack's Stronghold. They managed to hold off U.S. Army forces, which outnumbered them 20 to 1, for five months.
When exploring this area, wear hard-soled boots and a bump hat. Bring a flashlight with you, although some are available for borrowing at the visitor center, which is in the park's south-central reaches. This is also the departure point for summer activities such as guided walks, cave tours, and campfire programs. Lava Beds is extremely remote; visit the website for detailed driving instructions and information about winter road closures.
