Lava River Cave

Exploring Central Oregon's Geological Marvel: The Lava River Cave

No trip to Central Oregon would be complete without exploring one of the region's defining geological features: the vast expanses of hardened lava that diverted the Deschutes River, formed mounds of gumdrop-shaped buttes, and even created some remarkable underground tunnels you can hike into. These lava tubes form when flowing, molten lava cools more quickly on the outside than the inside, allowing a gooey center to flow through and empty out of what becomes a hardened rock artery. The longest lava tube in Oregon, the Lava River Cave, stretches for about a mile through the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, south of Bend, and was formed around 65,000 years ago. Taking a jaunt through the cave is a beloved activity.

Preparing for Your Visit

What to Bring

Visitors remind each other that, like a visit to almost any cave, you'll want to bring extra layers to wear and either bring a flashlight or rent one for $5. Temperatures inside can be cool, about 42 degrees, even on the hottest summer day, and there isn't much light. A cellphone light probably won't suffice. Visitors say the cave is unlike most caves they've seen because it is long, with plenty of headroom, and shaped more like a train tunnel. The floor of the cave can be slippery and uneven, so take your time while exploring.

Getting There

The Lava River Cave sits about 12 miles south of Bend on Highway 97. Expect to climb and descend stairs, traverse uneven walkways, and remember that pets are not allowed. For additional tips for your visit, consult the U.S. Forest Service website.

Hours of Operation

The Lava River Cave is open seasonally from May to September, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the first half of May, you can visit from Friday to Monday; from late May through September, you can visit seven days a week. The last entrance is at 2 p.m., and visitors must be out of the cave by 4 p.m.

Tickets and Reservations

About 70,000 visitors come to the cave each year. To manage this, the park service uses a timed reservation system with tickets released a week ahead of time at 7 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. These reserved tickets cost $2 per vehicle. You'll also need a Northwest Forest Pass to access the area, which costs $5 per vehicle, in addition to your ticket.