The Indian Well Campground is located in the Lava Beds National Monument which in near Tulelake in northern California; and is is one half mile from the visitor center and the cave loop.

This national monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. The past volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features.

The Lava Beds National Monument, with more than 700 caves, native American rock art sites, historic battlefields, superb night skies and a high desert wilderness experience are available here.

Birding, petroglyph, spelunking, star gazing, suntouch and sunglow, wildlife viewing and historical sites.

NOT Available: Dump station, hookups, gas, ice, propane, or showers.

Located within Medicine Lake Shield Volcano area and within sight of Mount Shasta Volcano

Tule Lake National Wildlife Reserve and Lower Kalmath NWR at to the north with some amazing birding opportunities.

All campsites are on a first-come, first serve basis which accommodate tents, pickup campers, small trailers and motor homes up to 30 feet.

43 campsites, $10.00 per night.

Senior Pass Holder receive half off.

Maximum stay is 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period.

Group camping: $3.00 per person per night, maximum: $60.00.

Group Camping available for a minimum of 15 camper up to 40 campers.

Backcountry camping is allowed and permitted.

All sites include a picnic table, fire ring, cooking grill.

Heated rest rooms with water, sinks and flush toilets are available year round.

I arrive at Indian Wells campground just after sunset to find only the A section open. After driving the loop once, I choose site A-8 which is near to the bathroom building, pay my five dollars and set up for the evening in the final minutes of the sunglow.

With my camera in hand, I take several photos of the quickly decreasing sunglow in the western horizon.

As the night progresses to dark, I turn on my new lantern, sit in the co-pilot seat and pound keys to make a journal entry for this day. Finally, I pack away my computer and climb into the back of the jammer to get horizontal and read more in the book of Jeremiah.

After more than eight hours of sleep, rise and upon looking outside to see if the dayspring has begun and see the near full moon hanging right above the horizon and setting fast. I grab my camera, open the sliding window and begin taking photos, however, it is so cold that I have to stop, get dressed, put on my hooded sweater so I might continue the photo shoot, despite the fact that I am still inside my vehicle.

After the moon drops to below the tree lined horizon, I walk to the bathroom and when walking over to it, see the beginnings of dayspring so I continue taking photos.

There is an abundance of birding not only in the campground but also in the nearby Tulelake Wildlife Refuge.

As a separate unit at Lava Beds National Monument, Petroglyph Point preserves two types of rock art, carved petroglyphs and painted pictographs. All of the monument′s rock imagery is located in the traditional territory of the Modoc people and their ancestors or predecessors.

Many of the developed caves contain trails through the cave and stairways or ladders into the cave. Most of the developed caves are located along Cave Loop, a 2-mile road near the visitor center. Just a short walk from the visitor center, Mushpot Cave contains exhibits and is the only lighted cave at Lava Beds. Developed caves are divided into three groups based on their varying levels of difficulty in the hardest section of the cave: least, moderate, and most challenging.