If you’re planning a fall camping trip to Indian Well Campground at Lava Beds National Monument, be prepared to pay higher rates. Starting October 1, 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) will increase nightly camping fees due to rising costs of supplies and labor, and the need for facility improvements.
The new rates will be $20 per night for individual campsites and $60 per night for the group campsite. However, Interagency Senior Pass holders and Interagency Lifetime Access Pass holders will still enjoy half-priced camping. This is the first fee increase for individual campsites since 1985 when a $10 fee was introduced, and the first rate hike for the group site since its construction in 2005.
Standard campsites will continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but there will be a change for group campers. Starting in spring 2025, the Indian Well Campground Group Campsite will be reservable through Recreation.gov, with reservations available six months in advance for the April through October camping season. This change aims to provide convenience and flexibility for groups planning their trips and managing reservations.
The increased fees are designed to maintain and enhance the quality of camping experiences at Lava Beds. While basic park operations are funded by congressional appropriations, the expanded amenity fees collected will support new projects and the ongoing maintenance of the Indian Well Campground, directly benefiting visitors. The new rates align with comparable fees at similar campgrounds in nearby public and private parks in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
Campers should plan accordingly as the new rates take effect in the fall, with online reservations for group sites beginning next spring.
