Arizona Cave – Crawl Through Lava River Tubes in Flagstaff, AZ

Looking for a cool summer hike? Plan a day trip to the lava river tubes in Flagstaff, Arizona. This chilly underground hike is a unique adventure in Arizona. One summer, while trying to beat the heat and find something new for the kids to get excited about, we stumbled across a mention of the Lava River Tubes Cave.

Naturally, we hit the road to check this place out. I want to share with you how to find the caves, what to wear and what to expect when you get there.

I expected the cave to be cold and dark, however it was both colder and darker than I anticipated. Our family visited in May and the interior temperatures in the cave were like a January night in Phoenix. Once you duck into the cave and make your way to the wide opening it is black as a night without stars.

I wouldn’t take very young kids on the hike because you need to be able to navigate with a flashlight, watch for uneven rocks and be careful not to hit your head. If your kids are adventurous it’s something I would recommend for 7+ years old.

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Hike to the Lava River Cave Entrance

Once you park, it’s a short walk flat walk through the trees to the cave entrance. You’ll reach the entrance in less than a quarter of a mile.

Entrance to Lava River Tubes

After your short walk you’ll find yourself standing in front of a giant hole in the earth. Time to go underground. If you were just wandering around the woods the cave at first glance looks like its just a pile of rocks.

If you get closer you can find the narrow low entrance. You will need to squat down to enter, but once you enter there is more head room.

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What to Expect at the Lava River Cave

The moment you step inside the cave, the temperature drops like you just walked into a refrigerator. The average temperature in the lava tubes is between 34 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

You’ll need to climb over boulders to get down into the cave. The only light at this point is from the crack of the cave opening. After this immediate area turn your headlamp on.

We were glad we came prepared: jeans, long sleeves, and headlamps. Flashlights work too, but having your hands free is a game-changer. Headlamps made a huge difference for us. You need both hands available in places where you’re scrambling over rocks, so holding a flashlight gets annoying quickly. We bought inexpensive headlamps for us and our kids rather than trying to manage handheld flashlights.

Once you climb down the boulders you’re spelunking on uneven rocky ground. As you can see there are dips where you could twist your ankle if you’re not careful.

On a hot Arizona day, it feels amazing. Even in the middle of summer, we spotted patches of ice clinging to the rocks.

The cave is pitch dark. No ambient light, no glow from the entrance once you’re deep inside. It’s the kind of darkness where your hand disappears even when it’s right in front of your face. But that’s part of the fun! The cave will open up to 30 foot ceilings with a choice in path where you can go either right or left. You can choose either path because they both end up in the same spot.

The ground? Uneven. Rugged. Sometimes slippery. You’re stepping over chunks of rock, crouching through low ceilings, and weaving your way through narrow parts of the lava-formed tunnel.

You will know you made it to the half-way point because there is a tight bend and the ceiling is very low.

You aren’t simply walking down a smooth tunnel. You’re negotiating rocks around the entrance, ducking beneath low sections and using your hands for balance.

Length of Lava River Tubes

The full length of the cave is 1.5 miles out and back with one way in, one way out. Go in and explore. Soak up the ancient coolness of this volcanic tunnel and then turn around and make your way back the same way you came.

This natural wonder was discovered by local lumberman in the early 1900’s. The cave was carved out by molten lava more than 700,000 years ago. When the outer layer of lava cooled and hardened, the liquid lava inside kept flowing, eventually leaving behind the hollow “tube” we hike through today. This is a really cool hike, especially in the summer.

For us, the Lava River Cave was one of those totally unexpected adventures. The kids ages 7 -13 years old loved exploring a cave. They scrambled over rocks, shined their lights in every crack and crevice, and declared it one of the “coolest hikes ever.”

This hike is perfect if you’re:

• Looking to escape the summer heat
• Wanting to try something a little different
• Road tripping through northern Arizona
• Traveling with kids or teens who need a break from screens
• Hoping to add a surprise adventure to your weekend plans

There’s no big sign, no souvenir shop just you, the forest, and a secret cave.

How to Get to Lave River Cave

The Lava River Cave or Lava Tubes are 14-miles north of Flagstaff. To get there from Flagstaff:

• Take US 180 , like you are going to Snowbowl
• Continue on and turn left at Forest Road 245 (dirt road) drive for 3 miles
• Turn left on FR171 (not paved) and drive 1 mile to cave.

Please note the road may be closed in the winter months due to heavy snowfall. Below is the road of FR171 that will lead you to the parking area for Lava River Cave

There are outhouse style bathrooms and picnic tables, but otherwise this is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out kind of spot. So, before you head out, stock up on essentials such as water, and snacks.

Parking at the Lava Tubes

Directions: From Flagstaff, take US 180 like you are going to Snowbowl, continue on and turn left at Forest Road 245 (dirt road) drive for 3 miles, then turn left on FR171 and drive 1 mile to cave.

For more information visit the website Coconino National Forest

No dogs or pets are allowed in the cave.

Lava River Cave FAQs

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