Lava River Cave

Closed, drove a long way for nothing.

This was one of our favorite places on our road trip. To add to the flashlight and jackets, be ready for a long drive on dirt roads to get here, and your cell service may not work, which might impact your ability to use google maps. The intersections are not clearly marked, and it could be easy to lose your way. Save this map for offline use to get yourself back to the main road.

The cave is great! Bring a jacket, pants, hiking shoes or durable sneakers, and a beanie/something warm for your head. Also don't forget to bring a powerful headlamp or flashlight with you. You will not be able to go very far without light! Have fun, and leave only footprints!

The location of the lava caves are actually forest service rd 171 not 235. See the website

We didn't go very far in due to the time of day we were near here and it would have been better if we had sneakers vs sports sandals. My kids loved it and was the hightlight of the trip. The road in, is gravel/dirt and there are a few signs. Once you get in the park area, it is hard to figure out where the trail is, but we asked others coming out and then noticed signs on a tree. Its about a 1/3 of a mile walk from the parking area. Overall beautiful area and fun time.

This stop was well worth our family's time. Its just 10 minutes outside of Bend and only costs $5 per car for the day to explore. This is a self-guided tour but there are rangers on site to collect the $5 fee and rent flashlights if needed. Bring a spare flashlight or two incase one fails. We had 4 flashlights for 5 people and found it to be insufficient. Everyone really needs their own flashlight to see where they are walking. Some of it is flat, some very rocky. Its also very cool down there, as most caves are. Our family didn't make it to the end, but I'm told it just goes on and on until it dead ends then you must exit the way you came in.

We camped for free just a few miles away and had a blast in the cave. A little chilly at the end of the cave but not terrible. Headlamps were really helpful.

One of the best surprise road trips my Dad ever took us on. Make sure you have sturdy shoes, dress in layers, & bring a decent light source. If your are clumsy like me, you might also want to wear a helmet.

It was a lot of fun and spooky when we went since we were the only ones in the cave. We went on a Sunday in July. Make sure to take LED flashlights they are the best for this cave. Use hiking shoes because it can be slippery in some areas.

Located slightly northwest of Flagstaff, Lava River Cave was formed hundreds of thousands of years ago by way of a volcanic eruption. The heat produced by the eruption hollowed out a lava tube in nearby rocks, creating a cave that visitors can now enter and explore.

Open year round, the tunnel is about 3/4 of a mile long; you’ll have to bring your own flashlights and make sure to always have a backup for your light source. As expected, the cave is both dark and cold, so dress appropriately even in the summer.

Exploring the cave and imagining the unique geological process that gave it its shape, makes a visit here an unforgettable experience that goes beyond a classic hike.