Lava River Cave
The San Francisco Peaks outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, were pretty much all once active volcanoes--and left plenty of evidence behind of their destructive nature. While you can visit and even hike to the top of some of the cinder cones in the area, one of the most unique volcanic features actually lies under the ground, in the heart of Coconino National Forest: Lava River Cave. These volcanic vents are over 700,000 years old, left behind by rapidly flowing lava during an eruption; and today, they're free to be explored.
When to Visit
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The caves are open year round, though in the winter and early spring, the dirt road that leads to the trailhead off of US 180 are closed due to snow and mud--winter visitors will need to snowshoe or cross country ski in. During the warmer months, the dirt roads (Forest Roads 245and 171) are generally well-maintained and passable by any vehicle. Warmer months bring more visitors, and an early start is necessary if you want to skip any crowds. Temperature in the caves range from 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so warm weather gear is a good idea--especially gloves, since you be scrambling on cold boulders to get to the bottom. Lastly, hiking boots with good grip and two sources of light--especially a head lamp, are a must: zero sunlight reaches the bottom of these caves.
How to Get There
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Flagstaff is the closest city with a major airport, about a 45 minute drive from the cave; otherwise you're looking at Phoenix, which is an additional two hours away. Take US 180 heading north out of Flagstaff, turning left onto FR 245, and left again onto FR 171. Marked by sign, make a left turn for the caves, where you'll find a large parking lot, pit toilets, and the trailhead.
About Me
Hi there, I'm Dan: videographer, travel-addict, and beer-lover. I left corporate life behind to start my own video business and travel the world. Want to know more about me and Dan Treks?
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Lava River Cave
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Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Distance: .75 miles.
Begin the trail to the entrance just past the pit toilets in the parking lot--it's an incredibly short walk through the forest, and the entrance itself is unmistakable, literally looking like a giant hole in the ground.
Parking lot (top) and cave entrance (bottom).
Hopefully you enjoy scrambling, because it's not a simple walk down into the cave: make your way down the boulders, being very careful where you step--many of these big rocks are loose and will give way under your feet. Also, the ceiling height varies in the beginning, so you'll want to watch your head too. Take it slow and steady until you reach the bottom, where you can expect a low ceiling for a little further. As for the floor, it's also made of uneven rocks, so watch your footing.
Tour group coming down (above) and near the beginning of the cave floor (below).
From here, it's up to you how far back you want to go, though the whole thing is around .75 miles long. The cave does eventually open up, and you shouldn't have to do too much more ducking to get around--that is, until the tunnels fork: while both lead to the end, the one on the left is far more open, while the one on the right is more narrow.
Striking my best caving pose. Word of advice, avoid caving poses
Once you reach the end, well, that's it! If you're planning on doing some photography, I would recommend using a dual flash system. If you're interested in more Arizona volcano adventures nearby, I would recommend checking out my guide to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: here you get a first hand look at one of the extinct cinder cones of this volcanic field, have a chance to hike a lava flow, and can even hike to the summits of a few other nearby volcanoes.
Sunset Crater Volcano Cinematic Video
See this amazing cinder cone volcano up close, explore the rugged lava flows around it, and hike to the premiere view of the area at the top of O'Leary Peak--all in this cinematic video of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument!