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Lava River Cave

4.7 (100 reviews)
Open Open 24 hours

Lava River Cave Photos

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Fork in the cave
Anthony E.

Make sure you have enough battery life for your lights. It's a level of darkness that's unimaginable. Definitely a must see if anywhere in the area.

The entrance to the Lava River Cave is surrounded by a forest. Photo taken at night.
Quinn N.

Fantastic spelunking opportunity. Never seen anything like it. Bring at least 3 sources of light with you (don't rely on your smartphone flashlight). Located deep in the woods on the outskirts of Flagstaff, AZ. The road leading to the parking lot is not completely paved. Bring extra water and snacks. A must-visit if you have adventurous spirit. There was no one there when I visited. Alone in the dark. Happy Halloween!

Rocks to climb over

This hike was too difficult, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're in great shape. The views weren't particularly impressive, and the trail itself was a real battle. Bring a flashlight with a wrist strap--you'll need both hands to climb over rocks and keep your balance. I had a jacket but was sweating so much just trying to stay upright that I never felt cold. Wear hiking shoes, not tennis shoes. You need sturdy soles and sides for protection, because tennis shoes are way too thin. I kept stepping on jagged knobs, then my foot would slide off, forcing me to walk on the sides of my feet the entire way. If your ankle muscles aren't strong, this hike will punish them. Every step involves either jagged rocks or unstable, tipping stones that shift under your weight. There are no flat areas to walk on. You're constantly catching yourself to avoid slipping, and one wrong step means smashing your face or knees onto sharp rocks. The end? Just a pile of more rocks. Honestly, I didn't enjoy it--I was too busy fighting for my life. lol! In my opinion, it wasn't worth the effort.

Lisa O.

Possibly one of the best things you can still do for free and one of the few things that would be worth paying to do. It has been about 30 years since we had done this and this time we brought our grandkids, 16 and 12 years old. The temperature is amazing, you will want to stay in the cave. The climb is difficult for some but so worth it if you are prepared. Definitely have several flashlights that are not shared. Have your own and go at your own pace. Proper shoes are very important. Hiking boots are best and gloves are helpful. It's about a mile and a half in and out but will feel like more. Pay attention and have fun!

Tim C.

Pretty cool if you were into caves as a kid!! Cool place to visit if you are in the Flagstaff area and have good mobility. Wear good shoes/boots and bring quality headlamps/flashlights.

8 yrs old was a great age. Wouldn't take a kiddo younger than 5 yrs old IMO due to the slippery 45 degree angles
Katie R.

Amazing free thing to do and totally unique experience to be in thiwls 700,000 yr old cave created by lava flow. This was my family's favorite thing we did this trip. It's like 45 degrees in the cave so it's a perfect thing to do on a hot day to escape the heat! It maybe took an hour or 1.5 hrs. I think it was like 3/4 a Mile one way. It's not strenuous, just slow going with the walking surface being slippery and irregular. The beginning descent and the final exit are the most careful parts and definitely require 3 or 4 points of contact. DON'Ts: Do NOT bring dogs. I don't recommend bringing kids younger than 5. I saw some parents attempting to carry toddlers and I was worried they would trip and drop them! DO: MUST bring your own light. Recommend headlamps to keep your hands free to catch yourself. A friend told me she used her phone flashlight and her phone almost died. Also, bring a light jacket due to the much colder Temps. And always water.

Claudine L.

You have to check out Lava River Cave! * On our last day off before heading home, we took the time to visit and explore more of Arizona. It was a nice time, exploring and making more memories. * Fun Fact: This is a lava tube in northern Arizona's Coconino National Forest. Approximately 0.75 miles long, it is the longest cave of its kind known in Arizona. * I was so prepared to see it, but was not prepared for it! Makes sense? LOL It's a must to have a really good flashlight; we used one plus a head lamp and our phones. You can explore the whole cave on your own but that would be creepy so bring a buddy or group! You should also wear a jacket when down there, it is cold even this time of year. * We arrived at noon and there were a couple of people mostly leaving rather than entering. It was definitely eerie down there! * It was truly an adventure exploring the cave, driving on some rugged dirt roads through the national forest on the way there and noticed there was a gravel road that went the whole way to the forest so we took the easier way out! * WARNING: Take the same road you took coming in to avoid getting lost in the forest. We took Service Rd 171. * For more outdoor adventures, follow @Bodintures2

Angelique M.

Despite the fact that we were well-armed with detailed directions, when we set out to visit Lava River Cave we got lost and quite frustrated because of the almost complete lack of road signs. Tip: A good GPS is the only way to get here reliability - there complete lack of signs until you've almost arrived will thwart you otherwise. Once we got there and parked, we hiked for a short ways, but the terrain is quite difficult.  It was fully light when we were there, and I shudder to think of how easily we could have gotten stuck out there if darkness was coming on....

I won't post too many pics but I loved loved this experience the drive there was amazing, the cave itself was badass! Definitely a work out but worth it I would do it again! Plus it's free that's always a plus in my book

Entrance to the cave!
Karen W.

What a fun hike through this lava cave! No matter how hot it is outside (It was a high of 90 in Flagstaff when we went) the temperature inside will always be in the 40s. When we reached the entrance we could feel the cool breeze coming out from the cave. I wore a short sleeved shirt, jacket, jeans and sneakers and was fine for the whole hike. The cave itself is about 14 miles north of Flagstaff and the path to drive there is a mix of paved and graveled roads. When you turn off of the highway the paths get more narrow and uneven. It helps to have an SUV or more of an off road vehicle but it's not a long drive on uneven surfaces and my compact car did just fine. Driving on those roads reminded me a bit of driving in pot-hole ridden Cleveland actually (But without the speed traps and disgusting weather). We tried getting there using our GPS but we soon found out that it gives us misleading directions so we used the instructions from the official website: Drive 9 miles north of Flagstaff on US 180 and turn west (left) on FR 245 (at milepost 230). Continue 3 miles to FR171 and turn south 1 mile to where FR 171B turns left a short distance to Lava River Cave.  Coordinates:  35°20'32.2"N 111°50'08.2"W You'll soon reach the parking area and you'll basically park wherever you can find space. There are some paths to take that are a very short walk to the cave. We got here in the late morning on a weekend and it was busy! The parking area was nearly full and there were a lot of people descending into the cave. I didn't think I'd encounter lava tube cave traffic but now I know it's a thing haha. I actually had to wait a bit behind some other people to go in. If you want a more isolated/intimate experience it's probably best to go on a weekday or a less busy time. But, the benefit of going at a busier time is that if you lose your light or need help there are more people in the cave that can help you out. Bring: -Headlamps -Bright flashlights -Back up light or battery -Shoes with good traction. Hiking boots with ankle coverage if you tend to slip a lot. -Lightweight gloves for extra traction (We got our headlamps, gloves and flashlights from Harbor Freight for cheap) Not recommended: -Open toed shoes -Dogs -Toddlers -Babies -Crybabies You _can_ bring your dog or your toddler, there is really no one stopping you, but I would strongly suggest not to. There are a lot of small, deep crevices that are about the size of a toddler's leg or a dog's foot and rough surfaces where it can be all too easy for them to get trapped, trip, fall, sprain or break something. Add the fact that it's pitch black in the cave without your light, and you might have a recipe for disaster for the little ones. Even if you are carrying them, I think it can still be hazardous because there are a few areas that might be dicey if you don't have full use of your limbs, and with the added weight from carrying someone you could have a bad fall. For the most part the cave was dry when we went in, but there were a few slippery surfaces to be cautious of. In addition, there were a lot of loose rocks both big and small while we were walking. Also be aware there are areas where you'll have to bend down a bit because there are low ceilings. It took us about 45 minutes each way. A little over halfway through the cave separates into two paths, left and right. We took the right path. The end of the path was pretty uneventful. I feel like I walked forever to get to the nondescript end of the cave but I felt a sense of accomplishment that I went from one end of the cave to the other! While deciding on which direction to take I did feel like I was in a choose your own adventure story though. I do wonder what the left path held in store for people. Fame? Fortune? Treachery? Aliens? A grue? Or maybe just another long winding hike. I'd love to go back and try out the left side someday!

Amanda D.

We visited as a family today. We put our 1 year old in a backpack carrier & our 4 year old hiked the entire cave herself, with minimal issues. This is a must see experience. It was cool inside the cave, but with all the work of hiking through, I did not see a need for a jacket. My children, on the other hand, wouldn't have made the journey without a coat. Make sure you have a headlamp, flashlight, and backup light source, in case batteries die. I would definitely come back!

The outside of cabe and log to sign your name
Cassie P.

Things are about to get dark, y'all! I'm not sure exactly how my group ended up here. Something about looking for outdoorsy things to do in Flagstaff... We heard lava. We heard cave. We were IN. I used plain ol' GPS to get to this spot but it's rather unmarked until you really get into the area. From the outside, it's pretty nondescript. Literally just a hole in the ground! There's a notebook outside to log your name for safety which is a little eerie but inside that box, we also found flashlights! Word to the wise: if you're going to enter a pitch black cave, flashlights, or better yet headlamps, are more than necessary! We commandeered those flashlights and also used our iPhone lights to guide us (#basic). Thankfully, there were other people around which help me feel reassured that everything was going to be ok and that this hike was legit. Overall, this was unlike any other cave I've been into! It was rocky and not groomed... Natural, yo! It also felt like I was playing Russian Roulette with my ankles, as it was wet inside the cave so I felt like I could slip at anytime. I promise it was fun though! The route itself is about 1.5 miles in and out. There's no pot of gold at the end of the tunnel, but there is some nice ground to sit on and mentally prepare for the trek back! On our way, I saw families eating lunches inside and kids of all ages, so I think anyone can probably take this on but just don't be prepared for a leisurely stroll. PRO TIP: In the middle there are two paths. Go to the left side for the easier route!

Scotty C.

After some travel atrocities the day before coupled with some sleeping in and a rain storm, we decided it best to push the Grand Canyon trip off until the next day. Instead, we decided to get our exploration on in Flagstaff! While we gorged on chilaquiles for lunch someone suggested checking out this cool lava cave. We all agreed it would be a neat alternative plan for the day so we headed that way. In my head, I pictured a big open cave that you walk into with maybe some information plaques set up along the way to tell you about the history etc... This is NOT that kinda cave! This is more of a climb down some steep wet rocks into a little hole in the ground until you arrive in complete darkness. Then carefully hike your way over the rocky terrain until you get to the end... then go back. Although it's not what I expected, it was way cooler for that same reason. There were no tour guides or entrance fees, it's just a public park with a hole in the ground where people can climb in. It's about 3/4 of a mile each way and once you get past the treacherous entrance, it gets much easier. You still need to be careful but I would say this is open to any skill level. There were plenty of families and others like us who were completely unprepared. To be prepared, I'd suggest packing light. You don't need to be carrying a backpack or much of anything with you. Bring a headlamp. We made it through with iPhone flashlights but not having to hold your phone while climbing over rocks would have been nice. Lastly, don't eat chilaquiles immediately before climbing into any cave. There are no bathrooms nearby so plan accordingly. Happy spelunking!

Enter an w to the cave , was wild thought it would be a bit smoother if an entrance but was a lot of fun

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3 years ago

I have done this hike a few times and it is great for the whole family. Make sure to dress warm even in the summers.

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Great location and cool 50 degree year around in the caves. Most of the time is in crowded and lots of parking available.

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3 years ago

This place is really really cool. Not only that but free. Bring a headlamp and a sweater. Highly recommend

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Ask the Community - Lava River Cave

When are they closed?

The Lava Cave is never technically closed, but in the winter, the forest roads are closed to it.

Anyone see snakes?

It's so pitch black that even if there are living creatures, you likely won't see them! We didn't!

Is the cave "open" for hiking everyday?

This is not a controlled cave, as long as the forest/dirt road can be traveled there was nothing that looked like they close the cave

I know it's a long dirt road to get to the cave, can a small car make it? Or will I need an SUV?

Yes. I have seen cars make it there. Just take your time and you will have no problem.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Lava River Cave

It is a cave so it will be pitch black so a headlamp is a good idea if you don't want to carry a flashlight.

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Lowell Observatory - Telescope that found pluto

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We've been to Flagstaff so many times now, but never got a chance to visit the Observatory. My son…read morehost a huge fan of physics and space wanted to visit this place. We went just before two hours of the closing time and wish we came in a little earlier. This three floor observatory is so beautiful and informative from the gigantic telescope to play area for the kids it is a must visit for everyone. Our favorite part was looking at the galaxies from the large telescope in the night. We got to see the nebula and it was so cool. It just made us feel how tiny we are in this massive space. I loved how once you buy the tickets you could step out and come back so that's a great advantage to take specially when you want to do both during the day and the night.

If Yelp allowed it, I'd give Lowell Observatory a billion stars... mostly because that's about how…read moremany we actually saw. The dark skies over Flagstaff reveal more stars than Hollywood on Oscar night. Seriously, you look up and suddenly realize the universe has been showing off this whole time and you've just been missing the show. The telescopes were the real headliners. One was locked onto Jupiter, and we could see it in crystal clarity along with three of its moons just casually hanging out like cosmic roadies. Another telescope pointed us toward the Pleiades--also known as the Seven Sisters--which looked like the universe spilled a little glitter across the sky. The staff deserve their own constellation. Knowledgeable, friendly, and incredibly helpful, they explained everything without making the rest of us feel like we'd failed Astronomy 101. The outdoor show was informative, fun, and moved so quickly we almost forgot we were sitting in the cold... almost. Let's just say the temperature was sub-planetary, but the experience was stellar. Bottom line: if you're anywhere near Flagstaff, orbit on over to Lowell Observatory. It's an out-of-this-world experience that will leave you starry-eyed and over the moon.

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First off, some of the signs pointing to the entrance of this place are flat out incorrect. Second…read moreoff, it's not worth it to buy a $5 pass. The main attraction really is the mansion so just buy a $18 pass which gives you access to the mansion tour as well as the outside grounds (which is what the $5 pass gives you access to). As for as museum goes, the subject material isn't that interesting: it's about a random wealthy family. Imagine a 100 years into the future we have a museum about a random millionaire. Our tour guide, Marco, was fantastic and great at answering questions for our little group of 4. The mansion really is just a showcase of how a wealthy person's home from the early 1900's. You get a glimpse into their business and personal lives as well as the type of furniture employed in the household. The tour was interactive and nice. The self guided tour is just literally walking around the mansion so there isn't too much to see but it makes for a nice, short walk. Overall, I think that there are more interesting museums out there. But if you're looking for a super quiet museum to browse, this would be the place.

Brenden did an EXCEPTIONAL job giving us a private tour of the mansion. He was full of facts and…read morestories. The artifacts & history packed into this mansion are so cool! You really got a sense of who these people were and how well they lived. The grounds are stunning and we really enjoyed the outside self guided tour. We were there two hours and I'd go back in a heartbeat!

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So I have lived in Flag for more than a decade. Moved numerous times and have dealt with utility…read morecompanies such as APS, UES, Suddenlink, etc. All have been fine, until I had to deal with the City of Flagstaff Water/Trash utilities. I called in person to try and transfer from my old place to the new place. Doing this with other utility companies was quite easy and could be done online with no problems. City of Flagstaff on the other had, was a bit more cumbersome. I checked the website and wasn't quite sure so I decided to call. When I finally got a ahold of someone the clerk/person working the phone line was very curt and kept cutting me off by telling me, 'yOu nEEd to AcTIVate a NEw aCCounT!!!!' I even tried to get in a question about not having to pay start up fees since I have never missed a payment ever and always pay on time. More curtness from the person. So, a month and a half later it seems all is well, until I get a bill from them from my old place. I call and let them know that I activated a new account and the person over the phone was again, not very helpful nor understanding. 'We're sorry, but there is nothing we can do about it; we don't do transfers and you should talk to your old landlord to pay it. Sorry that the person was curt to you, but we can't do anything about it.' (They really emphasized that they couldn't do anything about it.) It's one thing if I was being a jerk about it or if I dropped the ball with other utility companies and had a history of being delinquent with my payments, but to be told it was my fault when people were rude and unhelpful is just plain frustrating. Especially at a time when money is tight and I live in Flagstaff AZ. City of Flagstaff needs to work on customer service and a more transparent way of transferring services/utilities in town.

We visited City Hall to check on the status of a business license. I believe the older woman in the…read moreadministrative clerk window was Carol. I could be wrong. Anywho, she was amazing. Very helpful, kind, and informative. Thank you for giving us all the information.

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Well organized, clean and pleasant from making the reservation check-in, waiting area and the tour…read moreitself. We had "Andrew" for our guide and he was informative, courteous and pleasant to be hosted by. Took various photos for us using our mobile phones which was nice. They have various tour options which I think will fit most anyone's interest and fun level.

We booked the Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon Horsebend tour from Sedona. We were ready for a…read morelong day since the drive to Page was about three hours. They picked us up from our hotel, made several stops including clean bathroom breaks and couple gift shops. Overall, the tour was amazing. Although we only spent 45 minutes at a horseshoe Bend, we were able to take some awesome pictures and walk around. But definitely the highlight was Antelope Canyon. You can only go on a tour here with the Navajo guide and our guide Ray was fantastic. We spent about 1.5 hours at lower Antelope Canyon. He really made the tour fun, informative, and he took the best pictures. The photos do not do it justice. The experience was just unreal. Each term that we took we were in awe. The downside was our tour guide Brandon. Although he was very friendly, he didn't seem that knowledgeable. Maybe he was having an off day but there were a couple times that he stopped mid sentence while telling a fact and even ended a fun fact with blah blah blah to finish up his sentence. At one point, he even started chewing on a candy or something while hooked up to the microphone. This was really annoying. We still had a very great day just a couple things that didn't make it a five star experience. Did you have a lot of options for tours and their office is located centrally in the uptown area.

Lava River Cave - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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