Lava River Cave
Lava River Cave
4.5
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- Courtney B7 contributionsUnique experienceI’ll admit I was a little nervous about going that far into a cave, but we loved it. It’s open enough for those who are nervous to feel comfortable, yet does provide some manageable tight spaces to have a little adventure. Highly recommend renting the lights. It’s so dark down there regular flashlights do nothing. Also we only rented one light for the two of us…it was fine, but 2 would have helped us navigate the cave more quickly. Other tips bring a light jacket, book your parking permit ahead of time, bring hand sanitizer if you plan to use the bathroom.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 25, 2023
- Brian BPeoria, Arizona1,081 contributionsA Unique ExperienceAbout 1 mile walk to end of cave. It’s large wide Cave to walk. Pretty much the same view through the whole cave. I would recommend sturdy walking boots, pants, sweatshirt, gloves its 49 degrees inside. You will need a flash light which you can rent for $5. IPhone light is not strong enough. If you have trouble walking this might not be for you. There many opportunities to trip if not careful. It was woth exploring, we went about 3/4 of the way.Visited July 2023Written July 6, 2023
- LaspaflaAtlanta, Georgia21 contributionslava challengeThe experience is certainly unique. I recommend a high power, hand held flash light...Head lamps don't give a clear light view. Cold, wear extra. clothing. Footing is challenging, but worth it.Visited August 2023Written August 9, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
468 reviews
Excellent
248
Very good
164
Average
42
Poor
8
Terrible
6
jeninin
Louisville, KY47 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
The fact that the cave was created by lava is the only thing cool about this. There really isn’t much to see once you get inside. Make sure you wear a jacket it is cold inside. Also, I would not recommend wearing flip flops since the floor of the cave is uneven at times. Another tip, rent the $5 flashlight from the rental people or bring your own. Your cell phone flashlight will not cut it. They let you go in the cave on your own and there aren’t any lights down there.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Docsbob
Bridgeport, WV160 contributions
Aug 2021
Very inexpensive which is nice. Be aware, there can be delays as they moderate crowds and parking lot access. We waited on the main road 15-30 min before being allowed in (we arrived at 10AM). You do get a safety brief but otherwise, this is self guided. The caves are totally black, cold, damp, slippery, nothing really to see. This is not a cavern with stalagmites/stalactites. There weren't even any bats to see the day we went. Be careful if you are claustrophobic, afraid of the dark, or unsteady on your feet. Biggest thing is I guess you get bragging rights saying you've hiked a mile in an actual cave.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna R
23 contributions
Jul 2021
One thing to be clear, this is a lava cave. We had never been in a lava cave before and were expecting it to be like other caves we have been in before. There is nothing wrong with a lava cave, but I want to manage your expectations, it is not lit other than with the lanterns you rent from them, there are no stalagmites or stalag tights, no color. It was a little disappointing for us but I guess we should have asked before we went in. It was pretty cool, but a light jacket did fairly well. Very difficult to photograph if there was something to photograph.
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peggy S
Grand Junction, CO156 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
An easy 2 mile walk deep into the earth. Bring a coat and wear sturdy shoes. Highly recommend renting a light or bringing your own large powerful light. It is pitch black in the cave.
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Courtney B
7 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
I’ll admit I was a little nervous about going that far into a cave, but we loved it. It’s open enough for those who are nervous to feel comfortable, yet does provide some manageable tight spaces to have a little adventure. Highly recommend renting the lights. It’s so dark down there regular flashlights do nothing. Also we only rented one light for the two of us…it was fine, but 2 would have helped us navigate the cave more quickly. Other tips bring a light jacket, book your parking permit ahead of time, bring hand sanitizer if you plan to use the bathroom.
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laspafla
Atlanta, GA21 contributions
Aug 2023
The experience is certainly unique. I recommend a high power, hand held flash light...Head lamps don't give a clear light view. Cold, wear extra. clothing. Footing is challenging, but worth it.
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Previa1994
Chicago, IL6,681 contributions
Jun 2022
I visited Lava River Cave as part of my trip to Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Bend. Being formed by lava flow, this cave is an unusual attraction compared to other caves & caverns. There is no lighted path inside the river cave, but for the metal stairs in the beginning part of the cave. I rented the $5 flash light at the entrance to the cave. After the safety talk at the entrance, the group is allowed in the cave, it is not a guided visit; each is on their own. And, one can tour the cave at their own pace and go as far deep as one wants till the end which is about one mile into the cave. I was amazed at the humongous size (wide and high) of the cave. The cave floor is not paved; it was sandy/dusty and pretty uneven. So one has to be careful with their steps.
In summary, visiting the lava cave was a novel experience, though there are no formations or colorful lights. It is one of the prime features in Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
In summary, visiting the lava cave was a novel experience, though there are no formations or colorful lights. It is one of the prime features in Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Written November 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqui L
9 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Great for our group of 10 with ages ranging from 10 to 60. Dress warmly it is quite chilly, gloves helpful too. Must have good shoes (not flip-flops) and headlamp or flashlight (rent at least one of their high-powered lanterns for $5!). Get your parking permit at Recreation.gov first to secure your time. Park Ranger gives safety talk upon arrival and discussed bats that inhabit the caves. We did not see any bats, fortunately/unfortunately. Not recommended for elderly people or those prone to falls due to metal stairs and uneven ground all over.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan W
9 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
About 30 minute wait. We went after lunch around 1250 on a Monday. Very simple, you'll see a line of cars. Just get in the queue. Bring warm clothes. Gets cold fast. Free for military.
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn T
Mount Vernon, WA28 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Super cool experience. Very doable but lots of stairs, I was able to take my time and it was fine. It is cool 42 degrees inside. I came prepared with jacket and gloves so was comfortable. We had headlamps but rented one as well. So glad we did. The rented lamps are way better and worth it!!!! Without it we would have missed everything. We got there early so line moved quickly. I would also recommend good shoes. It was sandy and could get slippery in spots.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michealespinola
Las Vegas, NV
Robert O,
You didn't do your due diligence to check if the place was even open before you went, so you give it a 1-star rating? In what universe does your own mistake warrant giving something a bad review?
FYI: Many outdoor attractions, as well as roads and routes, get closed in the winter. This has been common for decades at many of our national parks. ALWAYS check a park's status before you go.
sgstrauss1
Dallas, OR71 contributions
I gave this attraction a 5 star rating, not a 1 star.
pennsnr
Middleton, ID
Will the caves be open next week? Just curious as it’s spring break and we are headed that way.
jdwilson307
Bend, OR61 contributions
The are closed for the season to protect bat populations. Reopening May 3, 2018.
Can you do this with a baby in a hiking backpack (Osprey or something similar)?
Homemadecooking
Henderson, NV29 contributions
I wouldn’t only because it’s wet and slippery and my daughter and I both tripped a couple of times.
chelsysunshine
Chehalis, WA18 contributions
Can dogs under 6 pounds be there?
David H
Santa Cruz, United States17 contributions
On their website it states that dogs are not allowed.
Doug N
Seattle, WA2 contributions
does it cost to go into the cave
wadekilpatrick
Hillsboro, OR15 contributions
Pay for the big flashlight
What are the hours that you can do self guided tours??
cjptara
Seattle89 contributions
They open at 9a, at least currently. I highly recommend going right when they open, because an hour to an hour and a half later the parking lot is full and the cave gets packed. It is much more fun to do it when there are not a lot of people down there.
ChristinaReneeBrown
Portland, OR
What are the hours of operation for cave tours on Sundays?
ohitsme04
Burns, OR1 contribution
is this cave open to the public all year long?
Randolph M
Salem, Oregon, United States9 contributions
No. It's open from May to September. Like many caves, it closes in the winter so that the bats can hibernate in peace.
TikiGee
Portland, OR41 contributions
About how long does it take to walk through the caves?
Larry H
Prescott, AZ131 contributions
Depends on how long you want to be in there. The cave is dark and chilly and sometimes the walking is a little difficult. We we're in there for about an hour and did not get to the end, but once you have been in there and turned your lights out and seen real dark, there really is no need to go to the end. There is no prize waiting.
Make sure you take a warm jacket and good flashlight. I'd recommend everyone have a light.
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Claim your listingLava River Cave - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lava River Cave
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