Tule Lake National Monument
Tule Lake National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Modoc County, California. There is no entrance fee. It is open during posted hours; see the visitor center hours below.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Tule Lake National Monument on the managing agency's own page.
Tule Lake National Monument map
Tule Lake National Monument boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.
Common questions
- Yes. Tule Lake National Monument has no entrance fee. No reservation is needed to enter.
- Tule Lake National Monument is open during posted hours; see the visitor center hours below.
- No. Tule Lake National Monument has no developed campground. Camping is not permitted within the monument; Indian Well Campground is at nearby Lava Beds National Monument (as of September 29, 2026). Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.
- Yes, the ranger-led tours are ticketed: 1 tour is on the park's list. Tickets can be booked up to 14 days ahead. Tour list as of September 29, 2026.
- Pets are allowed in Tule Lake National Monument.
- No. Launching, landing or operating a drone is not allowed in Tule Lake National Monument.
Fees, passes, and hours
Tule Lake National Monument has no entrance fee. No reservation is needed to enter.
Tule Lake National Monument is open during posted hours; see the visitor center hours below.
Ticketed tours
- Tule Lake Segregation Center
Tickets can be booked up to 14 days ahead. Tour list as of 2026-09-29; the park changes which tours run by season.
Sources: nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-29; nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/basicinfo, checked 2026-09-29; nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/guidedtours, checked 2026-09-29.
Entrances and visitor centers
- Tule Lake Visitor CenterVisitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.44340 Hwy 139, Tulelake, CA 96134530-664-4015
Source: nps.gov/tule/tule_linked_data.json, checked 2026-09-28.
Camping in Tule Lake National Monument
Tule Lake National Monument has no developed campground. Camping is not permitted within the monument; Indian Well Campground is at nearby Lava Beds National Monument (as of September 29, 2026). Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.
Source: nps.gov/tule/learn/management/superintendent-s-compendium, checked 2026-09-29.
Pets
Pets are allowed in Tule Lake National Monument.
Source: nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/pets, checked 2026-09-28.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Newell, CA
- 8 miles from Tulelake, CA
- The park warns that GPS and phone map directions can send you the wrong way: follow the park's own directions.
- No public transit to the park.
- Limited cell service
- Segregation Center and Camp Tulelake require ranger tours; request tours at least two weeks ahead off-season. (as of 2026-09-29)
Source: nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/directions, checked 2026-09-29.
What to see
- Historic siteTule Lake Visitor CenterOpen Memorial Day-Labor Day Thu-Mon; ranger tours required to reach jail and camp sites.
- Historic siteTule Lake Segregation CenterWWII Japanese American incarceration site; summer tours include the jail and other stops.
- Historic siteSegregation Center jailStop on ranger tours; virtual 360° tour available when in-person access is closed.
- Historic siteCamp TulelakeFormer CCC camp buildings visible from the entrance gate; no ranger tours currently offered.
Source: nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/guidedtours, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Tule Lake National Monument
- National wildlife refugeTule Lake National Monument borders Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
- National Park Service unitLava Beds National Monument is 2 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.nps.gov/state/ca/index.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/pets.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/tule/learn/management/superintendent-s-compendium.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/directions.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/tule/tule_linked_data.json (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/tule/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)