Lava River Cave closed Friday, Saturday

FLAGSTAFF – Flagstaff Ranger District is closing the Lava River Cave Friday and Saturday September 6 and 7 to use several pieces of heavy equipment at the location as it continues an improvement construction project approximately 15 miles northwest of Flagstaff.

The entrance to Lava River Cave. The short, steep descent into the cave is rocky. A short distance past the entrance the cave is completely dark. Lava River Cave, 14 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona, is a mile-long lava tube cave was formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The top, sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified first, after which the insides of the lava river continued to flow emptying out the present cave. – Photo by Brady Smith, August 19, 2015. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.

The improvement work is part of a larger effort to provide better visitor services to meet the demand at this popular destination. The project includes parking improvements, vault toilet installation, new trail access and installation of new informational kiosks. Other site closures may be necessary in the future to facilitate the work, but the cave will open Sunday, September 8.

For questions on this project, please call Patrick McGervey at (928) 527-3234.