{"id":6201,"date":"2020-05-21T16:21:03","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T23:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=6201"},"modified":"2023-03-03T12:55:52","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:55:52","slug":"balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/21\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Intriguing Balcony and Boulevard Caves in Lava Beds National Monument"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave are easy to hike to and are top highlights of Lava Beds National Monument. A short and level trail leaves from Lava Beds National Monument Road and quickly leads to both caves.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6215\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6215\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6215\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1.jpg\" alt=\"Boulevard Cave, Lava Beds National Monument: entrance. It's a short distance on the trail beyond Balcony Cave.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1-480x320.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1-50x33.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6215\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Boulevard Cave, Lava Beds National Monument: entrance. Easy walking on a raised ledge on the right may be the reason for the name.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Along the route you&#8217;ll have open views in all directions across Lava Beds National Monument and beyond, including the hulking mass of Medicine Lake volcano to the south and Mount Dome and distant Mount McLoughlin to the north.<!--more--><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6219\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6219\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6219\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mount-dome-lava-beds-national-monument.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Dome Near Lava Beds National Monument, as viewed from the start of the trail to Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mount-dome-lava-beds-national-monument.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mount-dome-lava-beds-national-monument-480x335.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mount-dome-lava-beds-national-monument-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mount-dome-lava-beds-national-monument-768x536.jpg 768w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mount-dome-lava-beds-national-monument-50x35.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6219\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mount Dome is just north of Lava Beds National Monument. View from the start of the trail to Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/day-hiking-mount-shasta-lassen-trinity-alps-trails\/\">My guidebook <em>Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen &amp; Trinity Alps Regions<\/em><\/a> contains eight trails in Lava Beds National Monument (details near the bottom of the article). At the end of the Schonchin Butte Trail description in the book, I urge people to also walk to nearby Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave, but I didn&#8217;t give these two caves their own specific hike description because the trail is just so short.<\/p>\n<div class=\"color-block\">\n<h4>Best Day Hiking Trails in Upper California<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GUNIqj\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-3153\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"Day Hiking Mount Shasta, Lassen &amp; Trinity Alps Regions. Includes trails in other regions of Northern California: Castle Crags, Russian Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, Lava Beds National Monument, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen National Forest, and the Redding area.\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-36x50.jpg 36w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/a><strong>My<\/strong> <strong>compact guidebook has the 125 best day hikes:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mount Shasta and nearby<\/li>\n<li>Lassen Volcanic National Park<\/li>\n<li>Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains<\/li>\n<li>Redding area<\/li>\n<li>Whiskeytown and Shasta Lakes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Includes trailhead directions and detailed maps and trail descriptions<\/p>\n<p><strong>Buy it:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GUNIqj\">on Amazon<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/22742\/9781680510584\">on Bookshop.org<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Often available at bookstores<\/strong> <strong>and outdoor stores <\/strong>(call first!)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>I recently spent three days exploring Lava Beds National Monument and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave, so I decided to give them proper due by writing this post specifically about them.<\/p>\n<h2>Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave Trail Key Data<\/h2>\n<p>Distance: 0.6 mile round-trip<br \/>\nDifficulty: Easy<br \/>\nType: Day hike<br \/>\nElevation gain: negligible<br \/>\nHigh point: 4710 feet<br \/>\nSeason: March to November; often snow-free in winter<br \/>\nContact: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/labe\/\">Lava Beds National Monument<\/a><br \/>\nMaps: Lava Beds National Monument park brochure; available at the entrance station and Visitor Center, and also downloadable as a PDF file from the Lava Beds National Monument <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/labe\/\">website<\/a><br \/>\nPermits: no permit needed, but you likely will need to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/labe\/planyourvisit\/caving.htm\">screened for white-nose syndrome before entering a cave<\/a><br \/>\nNotes: dogs, bikes, and horses are prohibited; entrance fee<\/p>\n<h2>Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave Trailhead Directions<\/h2>\n<p>Drive Lava Beds National Monument Road 3.0 miles north of the visitor center (6.6 miles south of the Hill Road\/Lava Beds National Monument Road junction). Look for the spacious parking lot on the east side of Lava Beds National Monument Road, signed for Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Balcony Cave\/Boulevard Cave trailhead GPS coordinates:<\/strong> 41\u00b0 44.602&#8242; N\u00a0 121\u00b0 32.723&#8242; W<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6218\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6218\" style=\"width: 2040px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6218\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/map-balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds.jpg\" alt=\"Trail Map: Balcony Cave, Boulevard Cave, Lava Beds National Monument. The short hiking trail leaves from Lava Beds National Monument Road.\" width=\"2040\" height=\"1540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/map-balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds.jpg 2040w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/map-balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-480x362.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/map-balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-1024x773.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/map-balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/map-balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-768x580.jpg 768w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/map-balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-1536x1160.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/map-balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-50x38.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2040px) 100vw, 2040px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6218\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trail Map: Balcony Cave, Boulevard Cave, Lava Beds National Monument<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Important Info: Cave Exploration in Lava Beds National Monument<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6220\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6220\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6220\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/safe-caving-caves-lava-beds-national-monument.jpg\" alt=\"Cave Safely, Cave Softly. Safe Caving in Lava Beds National Monument.\" width=\"500\" height=\"643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/safe-caving-caves-lava-beds-national-monument.jpg 500w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/safe-caving-caves-lava-beds-national-monument-480x617.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/safe-caving-caves-lava-beds-national-monument-233x300.jpg 233w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/safe-caving-caves-lava-beds-national-monument-39x50.jpg 39w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6220\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cave Safely, Cave Softly. Safe Caving in Lava Beds National Monument.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Before going into any cave, including Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave, you must check with the entrance station or the Visitor Center. There is strong concern about spreading <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/White-nose_syndrome\">white-nose syndrome<\/a> to the bat populations that live in the caves in Lava Beds National Monument and elsewhere across the western United States, so you must take the proper precautions. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/labe\/planyourvisit\/caving.htm\">Get details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Those who enter any cave should follow these rules: Tell someone where you\u2019re going; don\u2019t go alone; wear a hard hat, sturdy shoes, a jacket, and pants; carry at least three sources of light; don\u2019t damage rock formations; where trails exist, stay on them; leave a cave quietly if you encounter bats; follow all current regulations. Remember: you must check with the entrance station or the Visitor Center before exploring any cave in Lava Beds National Monument.<\/p>\n<h2>Hiking the Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave Trail<\/h2>\n<p>The trail leaves from the north end of the parking lot and travels level terrain through the typical high-desert vegetation of Lava Beds National Monument: sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, rabbitbrush, and western juniper.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6221\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6221\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6221\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/trail-balcony-cave-boulevard-lava-beds.jpg\" alt=\"Starting the hiking trail to Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave in Lava Beds National Monument. View looking north.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/trail-balcony-cave-boulevard-lava-beds.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/trail-balcony-cave-boulevard-lava-beds-480x369.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/trail-balcony-cave-boulevard-lava-beds-300x231.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/trail-balcony-cave-boulevard-lava-beds-768x591.jpg 768w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/trail-balcony-cave-boulevard-lava-beds-50x38.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6221\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Starting the hiking trail to Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave in Lava Beds National Monument. View looking north into Oregon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As you take your first steps, it&#8217;s likely the views that will captivate your attention. Look west to see the tippy-top of Mount Shasta, and then swing north beyond Tule Lake and let your eyes take in nearby Mount Dome, with Mount McLoughlin, a major Cascade volcano, anchoring the far horizon in southern Oregon. Schonchin Butte is the nearby cinder cone to the southeast, with Medicine Lake dominating the southern horizon.<\/p>\n<p>Lava Beds National Monument has several hundred lava-tube caves, and both Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave are typical examples. Lava-tube caves form when flows of liquid basalt cool on the top and sides, leaving a tube after the lava drains out. Over time, roofs often collapse, and that&#8217;s very evident here.<\/p>\n<h2>Balcony Cave<\/h2>\n<p><strong>NOTE: <\/strong>Balcony Cave is closed over the summer season (which begins in May) to protect bat habitat.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6213\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6213\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6213\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"715\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1-480x343.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1-50x36.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6213\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balcony Cave, Lava Beds National Monument: shadow and light<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6214\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6214\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6214\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-2.jpg\" alt=\"Balcony Cave, Lava Beds National Monument. Lichens give color near the entrance of the lava tube cave. A short hiking trail leads here.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-2-480x320.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/balcony-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-2-50x33.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6214\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balcony Cave, Lava Beds National Monument. Lichens give color near an opening of the lava-tube cave. Balcony Cave is the first cave you reach on the short trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Boulevard Cave<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6217\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6217\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6217\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/fernbush-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument.jpg\" alt=\"Fernbush growing near Boulevard Cave, Lava Beds National Monument.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/fernbush-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/fernbush-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-480x320.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/fernbush-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/fernbush-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/fernbush-boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-50x33.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6217\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fernbush growing near Boulevard Cave, Lava Beds National Monument.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>My Hiking Guidebook Covers 8 Trails in Lava Beds National Monument<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-3153\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300.jpg\" alt=\"Day Hiking Mount Shasta, Lassen &amp; Trinity Alps Regions. Includes trails in other regions of Northern California: Castle Crags, Russian Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, Lava Beds National Monument, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen National Forest, and the Redding area.\" width=\"300\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-36x50.jpg 36w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>87. Heppe Ice Cave<br \/>\n88. Big Nasty Trail (see my video of Mammoth Crater, plus my video of Hidden Valley)<br \/>\n89. Symbol Bridge and Big Painted Cave<br \/>\n90. Schonchin Butte<br \/>\n91. Whitney Butte (<a href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/09\/whitney-butte-trail-hiking-lava-beds\/\">full trail description of the Whitney Butte Trail<\/a>)<br \/>\n92. Black Crater and Thomas-Wright Battlefield<br \/>\n93. Gillem Bluff<br \/>\n94. Captain Jacks Stronghold<br \/>\n95. Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge (at nearby Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, north of the monument<\/p>\n<p>And <a href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/day-hiking-mount-shasta-lassen-trinity-alps-trails\/\"><em>Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen &amp; Trinity Alps Regions<\/em><\/a> covers dozens of trails in the area, including Lassen Volcanic National Park and Mount Shasta.<\/p>\n<div class=\"color-block\">\n<h4>Best Day Hiking Trails in Upper California<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GUNIqj\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-3153\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"Day Hiking Mount Shasta, Lassen &amp; Trinity Alps Regions. Includes trails in other regions of Northern California: Castle Crags, Russian Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, Lava Beds National Monument, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen National Forest, and the Redding area.\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-36x50.jpg 36w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/a><strong>My<\/strong> <strong>compact guidebook has the 125 best day hikes:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mount Shasta and nearby<\/li>\n<li>Lassen Volcanic National Park<\/li>\n<li>Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains<\/li>\n<li>Redding area<\/li>\n<li>Whiskeytown and Shasta Lakes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Includes trailhead directions and detailed maps and trail descriptions<\/p>\n<p><strong>Buy it:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GUNIqj\">on Amazon<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/22742\/9781680510584\">on Bookshop.org<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Often available at bookstores<\/strong> <strong>and outdoor stores <\/strong>(call first!)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Subscribe to the Northern California Hiking Trails Blog<\/h2>\n<script>(function() {\n\twindow.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || {\n\t\tlisteners: [],\n\t\tforms: {\n\t\t\ton: function(evt, cb) {\n\t\t\t\twindow.mc4wp.listeners.push(\n\t\t\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\t\tevent   : evt,\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcallback: cb\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t);\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t}\n})();\n<\/script><!-- Mailchimp for WordPress v4.12.2 - https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/mailchimp-for-wp\/ --><form id=\"mc4wp-form-1\" class=\"mc4wp-form mc4wp-form-3226 mc4wp-form-theme mc4wp-form-theme-green\" method=\"post\" data-id=\"3226\" data-name=\"Subscribe for Email Updates\" ><div class=\"mc4wp-form-fields\"><p>\r\n<strong>Get notified of new articles and updated info, 1-4 times per month. <\/i><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\t<label>First Name:<\/label> \r\n\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"FNAME\" placeholder=\"Your first name\"> \r\n<\/p>\r\n\t<label for=\"mc4wp_email\">Email address: <\/label>\r\n\t<input type=\"email\" id=\"mc4wp_email\" name=\"EMAIL\" required placeholder=\"Your email address\" \/>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Sign up\" \/>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n  <strong>Your address will never be shared.<\/strong>\r\n<\/p><\/div><label style=\"display: none !important;\">Leave this field empty if you're human: <input type=\"text\" name=\"_mc4wp_honeypot\" value=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"off\" \/><\/label><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_mc4wp_timestamp\" value=\"1777481124\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_mc4wp_form_id\" value=\"3226\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_mc4wp_form_element_id\" value=\"mc4wp-form-1\" \/><div class=\"mc4wp-response\"><\/div><\/form><!-- \/ Mailchimp for WordPress Plugin -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave are easy to hike to and are top highlights of Lava Beds National Monument. A short and level trail leaves from Lava Beds National Monument Road and quickly leads to both caves. Along the route you&#8217;ll have open views in all directions across Lava Beds National Monument and beyond, including [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[387],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6201","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lava-beds-national-monument-hiking-trails","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Exploring Intriguing Balcony and Boulevard Caves in Lava Beds National Monument - Northern California Hiking Trails<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave in Lava Beds National Monument are a must-see. Get directions, a trail description, and photos of both caves in this post.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/21\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Exploring Intriguing Balcony and Boulevard Caves in Lava Beds National Monument - Northern California Hiking Trails\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave in Lava Beds National Monument are a must-see. Get directions, a trail description, and photos of both caves in this post.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/21\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Northern California Hiking Trails\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JohnSoaresHikingGuidebookAuthor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-05-21T23:21:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-03T19:55:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"John Soares\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@TheJohnSoares\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@TheJohnSoares\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"John Soares\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"John Soares\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cfbd80e89d5015ea3e341b5087a2e2e1\"},\"headline\":\"Exploring Intriguing Balcony and Boulevard Caves in Lava Beds National Monument\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-05-21T23:21:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-03T19:55:52+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1097,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Lava Beds National Monument Hiking Trails\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/\",\"name\":\"Exploring Intriguing Balcony and Boulevard Caves in Lava Beds National Monument - Northern California Hiking Trails\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/21\\\/balcony-cave-boulevard-cave-lava-beds\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/boulevard-cave-lava-beds-national-monument-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-05-21T23:21:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-03T19:55:52+00:00\",\"description\":\"Balcony Cave and Boulevard Cave in Lava Beds National Monument are a must-see. 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