webweevers.com Logo

The San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff, AZ
The San Francisco Peaks from Cherry Hill
© 2009 C. Czach HIdalgo

Lava River Cave (The Lava Tubes)
Flagstaff, Arizona

GPS Coordinates for the parking lot of the Flagstaff Lava Tubes:

N 35° 20' 32"
W 111° 50' 07"

Click here for important information.

 

The opening to the lava river cave

A closer look of the cave opening
(click image to enlarge)

Back To Top

 

The official sign at the opening of the lava river cave
The plaque at the lava river cave
(click image to enlarge)

Back To Top

 
Back To Top

Approximately nineteen miles (40 minutes+) from city hall in downtown Flagstaff, AZ, the lava river tube is an unusual cave in that the entry is a great hole in the ground and not a great (door) opening like other caves.

The cave is about 3/4 mile long and there is only one way in and one way out.

There are man-made steps out of lava rocks for visitors to enter, so entrance is not as hard as it may seem.

Back To Top

 
A descriptive map of the area
A map of the forest area
Printer friendly directions to the Flagstaff Lava Tubes
A picture looking out from the inside of the lava cave
Lava river cave History
Learn about how lava caves are formed here
Back To Top
An up-to-the-minute image of the Flagstaff, Arizona area through this webcam

Click Here and then refresh your mobile browser to view the most recent webcam image (above).

Back To Top

Consider the following:

  • No facilities for 15+ miles in every direction (40+ mins away)
  • No rest rooms
  • No food service
  • No gas stations
  • No medical help
  • No cell phone reception
  • Some rocks are sharp and slippery
  • Operated by the Flagstaff Ranger District - (928) 526-0866
  • Open year-round (expect snow in winter)
  • Travel time from Flagstaff approx. 45 minutes
  • Dirt road access
  • Overnight camping permitted beginning 1 mile away from cave
  • Difficulty level: Easy to intermediate
  • Please pack out everything you pack in (no trash cans)
  • Limited parking
  • There is only one way in and one way out
  • The cave is roughly 3/4 of a mile long and will take the average group about 20-30 minutes to get to the end (60 minutes round trip without stopping)
  • Expect  to duck in some parts of the cave
  • Pets are to be on a leash at all times
  • No wheel chair access
  • Report anyone defacing the cave immediately - (928) 526-0866
  • Coconino County National Forest official web page

Back To Top

Checklist:

  • Flashlight for everyone going + one extra (just in case)
  • Closed hard-sole sturdy shoes for everyone (no sandals)
  • Water (not soda, coffee, alcohol--water!)
  • Warm clothes (35° to 45° Fahrenheit inside cave year round)
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Plenty of gas in vehicle
  • Travel food
  • Camera

Back To Top

Directions to the Flagstaff Lava River Tubes (Cave):

Printer friendly directions
Click here for printer friendly directions

From Interstate 17
Take the Milton Rd. Exit North (toward peaks).

Follow signs to Hwy 180. 

Turn North toward the peaks on Humphreys St. 

Then follow the directions below titled "From downtown."

Back To Top

 

From Interstate 40
Take the E. Butler Exit and turn West.

At San Francisco St. turn North (toward the peaks). 

Turn West (which is left) on Route 66 (a.k.a. W. Santa Fe Avenue). 

Then follow the directions below titled "From downtown."

 

From Route 66
Take Route 66 toward the Flagstaff downtown area.

Then follow the directions below titled "From downtown."

Back To Top

 

From downtown
Head North (toward the peaks) on "Humphreys St." (which is Hwy. 180). 

Take Humphreys St. almost to the end and turn left at "Fort Valley Rd." to stay on HWY 180. NOTE: If you turn left, it's "Fort Valley Rd. If you turn right, it's W. Columbus Ave. You'll be heading toward the Grand Canyon (keep your eyes pealed for the signs).

Take "Fort Valley Rd." approximately 13.7 miles to 100 feet just past mile marker number "230." 

At this point, set your vehicle's odometer to zero (You will refer to this spot as your point of reference later).

Turn left at forest service road (fire road) #245.

Back To Top

Take that dirt road (which is regularly maintained in non-winter months) for 2.8 miles

Then, make a left at the end of the road (the "T"). Take that dirt road for 1.1 miles

When your odometer reads 3.9 miles from the point of reference, turn left. (you should see a sign - as of Winter 2004). 

Take this road for 0.2 of a mile to the parking spots where your final odometer reading should be 4.1 miles from Hwy 180 (the point of reference).

Back To Top

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • There is only one way in and one way out, so there's no getting lost.

  • Take a flashlight and water for all hikers participating. Expect 40 degree weather (Fº) inside the cave year round (including middle of summer), so dress accordingly.

  • Make sure everyone uses the rest-room before you leave for the lava river cave (lava tubes) because there are no bathroom facilities for more than 1/2 hour in every direction.

  • I suggest you NOT go wearing sandals or shorts, unless you're into pain (in case you fall). If you slip, the lava rocks are sharp and pointy, but they usually only make small scratches and bruises.

  • Expect to duck in some parts of the cave.

  • The cave is roughly 3/4 of a mile long and will take the average group about 20-30 minutes to get to the end (60 minutes round trip without stopping). Enjoy the cave.

  • Please pack out what you bring with you (wrappers, bottles, etc.)

Back To Top

QR CODE

Have your friends, family and other loved ones scan the QR Code below so they can view this page as well:

Official QR Code of the Flagstaff Lava Tubes (Lava River Cave)

Back To Top

 

 

 

 

eXTReMe Tracker

Back To Top