Lava Beds National Monument
Volcanoes, Lakes, Lava Beds, and Calderas
In a land not too far away, majestic snow-covered volcanoes rise above immense lava beds filled with rugged rock formations. Here, deep frozen caves shaped by ancient lava tubes lie beneath towering cinder cones, barely touched by vegetation. Enormous calderas remain as silent witnesses to the collapse of once-mighty mountains. This realm is Klamath Falls, Oregon—just a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Oakland.
It’s a long journey, but one worth making. Before reaching Oregon’s border, you’ll encounter the awe-inspiring Lava Beds National Monument. The imposing Mount Shasta serves as the backdrop to a landscape framed by colossal escarpments and scorched cinder cones. Scattered across the region, frozen lava fields stand as monuments to the violent pyroclastic eruptions from 3,000 years ago—while also marking the final stand of the Modoc Native Americans.
In the tranquil town of Klamath Falls, you can stroll around the stunning Upper Klamath Lake, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The trails surrounding the lake teem with turtles, water snakes, red-winged blackbirds, red-tailed hawks, grebes, pelicans, egrets, and countless other birds and creatures.
Picture a 14,000-foot mountain, snow-capped and majestic, standing for millennia as a sentinel of the sky. Now, imagine its explosive pyroclastic fury, followed by a dramatic collapse into an enormous caldera. This is the story of Crater Lake National Park.
Today, the remains of that volcanic eruption cradle the purest water, filling the vast crater with a mesmerizing cobalt-blue hue. Even late into summer, Crater Lake remains snowbound and chilly, so be sure to bring warm clothing when visiting. To miss Crater Lake is to deprive yourself of one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles.
Make the effort. Venture to this ancient, mysterious land—where majestic volcanoes, lava beds, caves, soaring cinder cones, and immense calderas reveal the raw beauty of Earth's geological history. This is the realm of Klamath Falls, Oregon.