I couldn't get enough of this place...one day turned into two! There is quite a bit of exploring to do at Lava Beds National Park. The park is most famous for it's lava tubes which are essentially underground tunnels formed by ancient lava flows, hollowed-out before hardening. They are perfect for beginner spelunking!
LBNP's above ground features are just as interesting: lava beds that stretch for miles, dormant shield volcanoes and cinder cones, one of the largest petroglyphs panels in the USA--even a Native American lava fortress known as Captain Jack's Stronghold. There, a band of 60 Modoc warriors held off the US Army in the Modoc War of 1872-73...Despite being outnumbered ten to one!
Just south of the park is Medicine Lake and Glass Mountain. Medicine Lake is the caldera left behind from an ancient volcanic eruption. The water is very clean and great for swimming. Nearby Glass Mountain has some of the purest obsidian lava flows in the world. A short walk from the road leads to hills of solid black glass. I've never seen anything quite like it!
Bordering the park to the north is the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges. These important wetlands (such as Tule Lake) are on the Pacific Flyway. It's an essential winter roost for millions of waterfowl. Countless species of birds come from as far north as Canada on their southerly winter migration. Thousands of predatory birds such as bald eagles can also be seen here in the winter months. Though being a bit early in late October, all I saw were some ducks...still the KBWR visitor center had a great video and displays...
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