Lava River Cave in Arizona State

Lava River Cave

This .75-mile-long lava tube was believed to be formed between 650,000 and 700,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption near Hart Prairie.

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Lava River Cave Details

This .75-mile-long lava tube was believed to be formed between 650,000 and 700,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption near Hart Prairie. Once the lava cooled, it created this massive tunnel that ranges from 30 inches to over 30-feet wide. It is open and accessible to the general public to explore, although visitors should take extra precautions when crawling through the tube. Not all passages are wide, and some have even been exposed to condensation, making the grounds very slippery. Visitors should also be prepared for a change in temperature, as the tunnels are generally a chilly 35 to 45-degrees year-round.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

N/A

Region

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Nearby Parks Around Lava River Cave

Compare nearby parks around Lava River Cave when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

51.8 mi away

Grand Canyon

National Park · AZ

117.7 mi away

Petrified Forest

National Park · AZ

143.4 mi away

Zion

National Park · UT

159.8 mi away

Bryce Canyon

National Park · UT

206.2 mi away

Capitol Reef

National Park · UT

227.5 mi away

Saguaro

National Park · AZ

Nearby Points of Interest Around Lava River Cave

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Lava River Cave while the map context is still fresh.

7.2 mi away

Humphreys Peak

An adventure lover's dream, the hike up to Arizona's highest mountain is guaranteed to be a memorable experience.

8.7 mi away

Saddle Mountain

This extinct volcano lies just outside the Park.

9.0 mi away

Humphreys Peak

Standing over 12,600-feet tall, this peak is the highest mountain in the San Francisco Peaks.

9.0 mi away

The San Francisco Peaks

The San Francisco Peaks, a volcano mountain range near Flagstaff, Ariz., can be seen from several west-facing Petrified Forest National Park viewpoints.

14.5 mi away

McMillan Mesa

This natural area has over 300-acres of wilderness for you to explore.