Flagstaff Lava Tube: Plan Your Visit

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A few years back, my sister and I decided to take our families to Flagstaff for Spring Break so that we could see the Grand Canyon. We rented a house in Flagstaff that would fit everyone, and on our first night there, I posted a picture. Somebody on Facebook replied and told me that we had to go see the Flagstaff Lava Tube while we were in the area, and I am so glad they did.

Even though the Grand Canyon is absolutely amazing, I think going to this lava tube was truly the highlight of our trip. Since then, anytime anyone we know is in the area, I always recommend a visit.

If you’re planning a family vacation in Arizona, add in a stop at the Flagstaff Lava Cave.

What is the Flagstaff Lava Tube?

The Flagstaff Lava River Tube was formed 700,000 years ago when lava flowed through a volcanic vent near Hart Prairie. As the lava flowed, the outside hardened and created a tube-like tunnel that is about 3/4 miles long.

Directions to the Flagstaff Lava Cave:

The lava tube is located 14 miles north of Flagstaff in Arizona and takes about 45 minutes to get to from Flagstaff. To access it, you will take the 180 North for about 9 miles from Flagstaff, and then turn left onto Forest Service Road 245. You will be on that for about 3 miles, and then turn left onto Forest Service Road 171. After a mile, you will make one more left onto Forest Service Road 171B. This is a well-maintained dirt road that will take you to the parking lot for the lava tube.

Once you park, you will follow a short trail (less than a quarter-mile) to the entrance of the lava tube. When we went, there was a record log near the entrance that asks that you sign in before you enter the cave so they can account for all visitors.

Note: The lave tube is open year-round, however, both service roads used to get to them are closed during the winter. You are allowed to ski or snow shoe to the lava tube if you wish to visit when the roads are closed.

What to Bring With You to the Flagstaff Lava Cave:

• Bring 2-3 light sources to the lava cave. Flashlights and headlamps are ideal.
• Closed tow shoes with good traction. It can be wet and slippery, and you have to climb over some rocks near the entrance of the cave.
• Bring warm clothing. This Flagstaff Lava Tube stays about 40 degrees F year-round, so it can be very chilly inside–a nice break from the heat if you are visiting during the summer.

When we visited, we were not very prepared at all. We didn’t do much research and didn’t know what to expect. My brother-in-law was sick that day, so my sister, husband and I went with four young kids. My husband’s phone was dead (as it often is), so he took my phone for the flashlight and headed in while we waited near the entrance.

While we waited, we admired the mouth of the Flagstaff lava tube. There were icicles hanging down and some bats flying around. The older of our four kids climbed around a bit on the rocks.

After waiting awhile, I decided to head in to see if I could catch my husband coming back. My sister’s phone had 14% battery left, so I took her phone and figured I should catch him on his way back pretty quickly.

Heading Inside

When you enter the Flagstaff lava cave, it’s not long before you can no longer see the light coming in from the entrance of the cave. This darkness is like nothing I have experienced before. Your eyes do not adjust and you can’t even see your hand directly in front of your face. The flashlight on the phone only illuminated the area directly in front of me, so I couldn’t really see the walls of the cave in their entirety.

I few minutes after I entered the Flagstaff Lava Tube, I started to feel super claustrophobic and started worrying about what if there was a turn and I accidentally took it, and now I’m going a different direction, etc, etc. I decided to just turn back.

Shortly after, I passed a couple of hikers heading in with headlamps on. Their light was much better than my phone light. And just FYI, there are no turns. But when you are in the pitch black by yourself, sometimes anxiety can get the best of you.

Exiting the Cave

To exit the Flagstaff cave, there are some rocks that you have to climb up. As I started to climb, my hand slipped off the phone. It fell onto the ground underneath the rocks, with the light facing into the ground. I could barely see it and couldn’t see anything around me.

I yelled to the hikers who had just passed me and asked if they could come back. Luckily, they heard me and came back to shine their light for me. I was able to climb under the rocks, grab the phone, and get out of that cave as quickly as I could. But my husband made it to the end of the lava tube and back out just fine.

More to Note:

There are no pets allowed at the Flagstaff Lava Tube.

If you visit, and I highly suggest you do, go prepared. Do not do what we did and just rely on phone lights. It’s an awesome cave that you can see so much better with proper lighting, not to mention that it’s a lot more safe when you can see where you are going.

Staying in the Area:

Camping in the area is allowed, but you must set up at least a mile away from the lava cave. Clean up all trash, and do not feed the wildlife.

There are several hotels to choose from in Flagstaff. Popular options include:

• Ramada by Wyndham Flagstaff East
• Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff West
• Hilton Garden Inn Flagstaff
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Flagstaff
• Baymont by Wyndham Flagstaff

If you’re planning a trip to visit lava tubes in Flagstaff, check out other fun things to do in Arizona, such as the Polar Express Experience or the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort.

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