Lava Beds National Monument Tours
While several caves within Lava Beds National Monument contain ice, none boast the same spectacular formations that can be found in Crystal Ice Cave. This wild and strenuous tour takes you through a lava tube with large ice stalactites and stalagmites, ice hoodoos, and ice waterfalls formed by unique environmental and geological conditions.Select a date to see a list of times
Tickets are free. A $1.00 per ticket advance reservation fee applies.
Participants will be subject to white-nose syndrome screening. See: https://www.nps.gov/labe/learn/nature/wns.htm
Crystal Ice Cave tours require enough upper body strength to ascend a 50-foot long steeply sloped ice floor with a rope hand line, and the ability to ascend a 10 foot and an 18 foot ladder
Visitors must be able to crawl through a tight hole and have enough fitness and coordination to negotiate loose, boulder-strewn floors and icy patches safely.
The tour is not appropriate for people with major medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, or those with a fear of heights or tight places.
Sturdy lug-sole boots with good support are highly recommended. Visitors should bring a helmet, headlamp, and kneepads if they have them. The cave temperature can be well below freezing (20 degrees F to 32 degrees F), so wear warm clothing. Cleats, crampons, and other footwear that might damage the ice are not allowed.
Children must be at least 12 years of age and accompanied by an adult.