Just a short drive into California from the Oregon border, these lava beds are great for spelunking through caves and hiking around the lava flows
We didn’t come all that prepared for spelunking but you can borrow flashlights and hard hats from the interpretive center. You can also buy equipment there but it’s best to come with your own gear
A very short walk from the visitor center is a short cave named the mushpot, if I recall correctly. It has nice paths created within and is all lit up so you don’t need a flashlight. Watch your head through
A lot of the caves have stairs and landings, making it easier to navigate, especially some of the deeper ones
Some have nearby parking while others are a bit of a hike in the heat.
You can also find some pictographs in some of the caves. It is quite the “destination” though, not a lot of places to grab a beer and burger, so be sure to pack a lunch.
We had to drive clear back into Merrill Oregon to find a place.