Arizona is filled with natural wonders just waiting to be explored. From natural bridges to magical waterfalls, the Grand Canyon State has it all, and exploring the following cave is one of the most unique hikes you’ll ever take – we promise. Check it out:
Arizona’s only known lava river cave is a rare natural wonder.
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At just under one mile long, it’s entirely underground and was created by a volcanic eruption more than 700 million years ago.
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As a red-hot river of lava flowed during the eruption, the edges of the tube hardened, while the hottest lava continued to flow and eventually emptied out of the tube.
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What remains today is a lava river cave, with ridges on the floor and lava spikes “dripping” from the ceiling. Exploring the lava river cave is surreal and, at times, a bit dicey.
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The entrance to the cave is a slight opening that drops sharply by way of a rocky incline until it levels off. The temperature in the cave remains a chilling 40 degrees Fahrenheit year-round (sometimes less), making ice underfoot a distinct reality in some places.
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If you want to explore Arizona’s only lava river cave, be sure to bring plenty of light! The light on your cell phone will not be enough.
Larry M/TripAdvisor Also, wear appropriate boots: the terrain can be unsteady. At some points along the way, the height of the cave can be as high as 30 feet, but at other points, it’s as little as three feet. Watch your head for those overhead dangling lava drips.
The lava river cave is located approximately 15 miles outside of Flagstaff, deep in the Coconino National Forest.
Google Maps Wear warm clothes and bring extra light sources. Many reviews from hikers recommend that this adventure is not appropriate for really young children. If they are unable to walk the distance, or maneuver through the difficult terrain inside the cave, then this could put you both at risk in the event that you end up carrying the little one.
Learn more about Arizona’s Lava Tube Cave at this link on the website of the US Forest Service. The cave is open year-round and entrance is free – however, make sure to check the website for current closures while planning your trip, as sometimes inclement weather or other things may cause the Forest Service to close the cave to visitors. The road leading to the cave can be unexpectedly closed due to winter weather or wet conditions, as well, so it’s important to double-check. You’ll find the entrance to the cave at this Google map location.
str8pavin/TripAdvisor
Gina M/TripAdvisor
Paul M/TripAdvisor
RWM-JR/TripAdvisor
kari b/TripAdvisor
Larry M/TripAdvisor
Also, wear appropriate boots: the terrain can be unsteady. At some points along the way, the height of the cave can be as high as 30 feet, but at other points, it’s as little as three feet. Watch your head for those overhead dangling lava drips.
Google Maps
Wear warm clothes and bring extra light sources. Many reviews from hikers recommend that this adventure is not appropriate for really young children. If they are unable to walk the distance, or maneuver through the difficult terrain inside the cave, then this could put you both at risk in the event that you end up carrying the little one.
The hike through Arizona’s lava river cave is definitely bucket list-worthy! For five more bucket list hikes in the Grand Canyon State, take a look at this previous article.
Address: 171b Forest Road, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001
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Address: Forest Road, Forest Rd, Arizona 86001, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lava Tube Cave in Arizona March 12, 2021 Tori Jane How many natural wonders are in Arizona? To put it bluntly, Arizona is a literal paradise for just about anyone who likes anything in nature at all. Most obviously, the Grand Canyon is an insane natural wonder - so much so that it’s in the famous “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” list. That’s the world - not just Arizona. It’s truly incredible, and if you’ve never been, you must go. Arizona is also one of the few places in the entire world that the great saguaro cactus grows; Saguaro National Park, in southern Arizona, is an incredible place to explore them - though you can find them everywhere in the Phoenix Metro, as well. Keep an eye out for special saguaros - crested saguaro cacti are incredibly fascinating, and Arizona is home to over 2,000 of them. Where is the best hiking in Arizona? Honestly, that depends on what your own tastes are! For desert rats, hikes on Camelback Mountain and Picacho Peak are to die for. For forest-dwellers, take your pick from any of the incredible forest trails peppered everywhere throughout the copper state - one of our favorites is the incredible Kachina Trail, up on the San Fransisco Peaks near Flagstaff. Interested in more plains-like conditions? Check out the spots near Cordes Junction. Arizona is incredibly diverse in its landscapes and biomes, and we’re more than certain that literally anyone will find something to fall in love with. What are some things to do outdoors in Arizona? Take your pick from a list of literally hundreds of things! From incredible hiking to amazing boating, fishing, and horseback riding, Arizona is home to (literally) thousands of outdoor activities and opportunities. From sprawling forest adventures to incredible mountain hikes to exploring the Sonoran Desert, there is no shortage at all of amazing activities for everyone.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lava Tube Cave in Arizona
March 12, 2021
Tori Jane
How many natural wonders are in Arizona? To put it bluntly, Arizona is a literal paradise for just about anyone who likes anything in nature at all. Most obviously, the Grand Canyon is an insane natural wonder - so much so that it’s in the famous “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” list. That’s the world - not just Arizona. It’s truly incredible, and if you’ve never been, you must go. Arizona is also one of the few places in the entire world that the great saguaro cactus grows; Saguaro National Park, in southern Arizona, is an incredible place to explore them - though you can find them everywhere in the Phoenix Metro, as well. Keep an eye out for special saguaros - crested saguaro cacti are incredibly fascinating, and Arizona is home to over 2,000 of them. Where is the best hiking in Arizona? Honestly, that depends on what your own tastes are! For desert rats, hikes on Camelback Mountain and Picacho Peak are to die for. For forest-dwellers, take your pick from any of the incredible forest trails peppered everywhere throughout the copper state - one of our favorites is the incredible Kachina Trail, up on the San Fransisco Peaks near Flagstaff. Interested in more plains-like conditions? Check out the spots near Cordes Junction. Arizona is incredibly diverse in its landscapes and biomes, and we’re more than certain that literally anyone will find something to fall in love with. What are some things to do outdoors in Arizona? Take your pick from a list of literally hundreds of things! From incredible hiking to amazing boating, fishing, and horseback riding, Arizona is home to (literally) thousands of outdoor activities and opportunities. From sprawling forest adventures to incredible mountain hikes to exploring the Sonoran Desert, there is no shortage at all of amazing activities for everyone.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
To put it bluntly, Arizona is a literal paradise for just about anyone who likes anything in nature at all. Most obviously, the Grand Canyon is an insane natural wonder - so much so that it’s in the famous “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” list. That’s the world - not just Arizona. It’s truly incredible, and if you’ve never been, you must go. Arizona is also one of the few places in the entire world that the great saguaro cactus grows; Saguaro National Park, in southern Arizona, is an incredible place to explore them - though you can find them everywhere in the Phoenix Metro, as well. Keep an eye out for special saguaros - crested saguaro cacti are incredibly fascinating, and Arizona is home to over 2,000 of them.
Where is the best hiking in Arizona?
Honestly, that depends on what your own tastes are! For desert rats, hikes on Camelback Mountain and Picacho Peak are to die for. For forest-dwellers, take your pick from any of the incredible forest trails peppered everywhere throughout the copper state - one of our favorites is the incredible Kachina Trail, up on the San Fransisco Peaks near Flagstaff. Interested in more plains-like conditions? Check out the spots near Cordes Junction. Arizona is incredibly diverse in its landscapes and biomes, and we’re more than certain that literally anyone will find something to fall in love with.
What are some things to do outdoors in Arizona?
Take your pick from a list of literally hundreds of things! From incredible hiking to amazing boating, fishing, and horseback riding, Arizona is home to (literally) thousands of outdoor activities and opportunities. From sprawling forest adventures to incredible mountain hikes to exploring the Sonoran Desert, there is no shortage at all of amazing activities for everyone.
