Hiking the Lava River Cave in Flagstaff ALONE

Explore the ancient dark, silent Lava River Cave in Flagstaff, Arizona. This post has all you need to know about hiking this cool cave in Northern Arizona!

Post Contents

Which Hiker Do I Write For

I tailor my hiking reviews to over 50 hikers. This is not to say the hike will be easy or short, older hikers are very capable, I’ve seen 70 year old hikers that can out hike most people. But what I am putting out there is special considerations for our older bodies.

You might notice I have a trail difficulty rating number listed below, please see my Hiker Resource Page to see how I come to this rating.

Basic Trail Information for Lava River Cave

This information is about the cave hike itself, not the hike to the cave.

Trail Name: Lava River Cave or Lava River Tube
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona on FR 171
Length: 3/4 mile
Difficulty: easy, just take your time
Duration: 1 hour (or more if you like exploring
Elevation Gain: 3 feet
Type of Trail: out and back
Who I Recommend this to: everyone, it’s fun!
What season did I go: spring, summer and fall. The roads to the cave are closed to cars in the winter yet it’s still accessible to ski or snowshoe in.
Gear Recommendations: headlamp (bring 2 just in case 1 battery goes out), jacket, sturdy shoes
Special Requirements: none, just the gear for being in the cave
Must see feature: the cave!

Location of Lava River Cave

My Experience of the Lava River Cave as an Older Hiker

I’m not one to shy away from hiking or backpacking solo but going into a cave alone was something I wasn’t prepared to do. Lucky for me I arrived at the right time, 1 couple went in front of me and one behind – perfect. I’m solo but not alone. And they were all very friendly.

It’s not long, maybe 50 feet in, until the darkness surrounds you and a headlamp is necessary. It’s also very cold! I believe freezing. I was wearing shorts, my hiking shoes and a light long sleeve shirt and never felt cold in the cave. I think the excitement kept me warm.

The first 50 feet of the Lava River Cave or so are also the sketchiest, having to scramble large, wet boulders in the dark is something not many people are used to, including myself. Once past the opening and boulders that leads down into the cave you find it relatively flat with a few rocks here and there as well as dampness.

As I walked I kept noticing I could see the air around me, like dust. How odd, I thought the dampness would keep dust down. It was not dust but my cold breath! I wasn’t cold but my breath was. I’m accustomed to shivering when I can see my breath.

I probably explored about 1/3 of the way in when the couple I was following decided to turn around so I did too. I didn’t realize the cave was 3/4 mile long and it takes a pretty long time to make that distance in the dark.

Before turning around I sat for a bit waiting for their voices and lights to diminish into the darkness. Then I turned off my headlamp.

The blackness is deafening or was it just that there’s no sound down there except for the occasional drip of water but that is extremely faint. I thought the extreme dark and silence would be scary but honestly, it was meditative. I could clear my mind of sights and sounds that would normally distract me and simply be in the moment. It was almost magical!

I got back to the mouth of the cave pretty quickly. As much as I loved it down there humans aren’t made for that darkness and the sun felt glorious on my skin!

Here is my video on Instagram of hiking the Lava River Cave in Flagstaff.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjsn1K6DSYj/

Helpful Takeaways

Suggested gear and information for this hike that I found very helpful and made the hike a much more pleasant experience.

Bring a flashlight and/or headlamp, especially for everyone in the party. It’s pitch black in the cave
Wear a jacket or sweater. It’s about 35-45° F year-round in the cave, no matter the weather outside
Wear sturdy shoes

What To Do In the Area Before or After Your Hike

Bring lunch. There are picnic tables in the park to enjoy a lunch after your hike
Grab a quick breakfast at The Station Cafe on the way to the trail
Don’t miss the Museum of Northern Arizona to learn about the natural and cultural heritage of the region
Stroll historic downtown Flagstaff and have lunch at the incredible Toasted Owl (at 12 S. Mikes Pike)

Online Resources for this Trail

Please Leave No Trace when enjoying the outdoors
Info about the cave from the Coconino Forest website

FAQs for Lava River Cave for Older Hikers

Are dogs allowed in the Lava River Cave?

No—dogs and pets are not allowed in the Lava River Cave.
This rule is in place to protect both the cave environment and the animals, since the terrain is rough, dark, and not suitable for pets.

How cold is the Lava River Cave?

The cave stays consistently cold year-round, typically around 35°F to 45°F (about 2–7°C).
Even in the middle of summer, it can feel like a refrigerator inside, and there may even be ice near the entrance.

How difficult is hiking the Lava River Cave?

The hike is generally considered moderate, but it’s more about terrain than distance.

Here’s what makes it challenging:
-A steep, rocky descent into the cave at the start
–Uneven, jagged lava rock the entire way
–Pitch-black conditions (you’ll need multiple light sources)
-Some areas require crouching or minor scrambling

Once inside, it levels out somewhat, but footing remains tricky the whole time.