Lava River Cave
The longest continuous lava tube cave in Oregon. Walk through the dark underground passage of a volcano, lit only by flashlights, for about 1.6 km one way.
Lava River Cave is a tube-shaped cave left behind when a lava flow cooled about 80,000 years ago. It lies about 1.5 km south of the Lava Lands Visitor Center. The cave is completely dark and the floor is uneven. The one-way route is about 1.6 km, and a round trip takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Along the way you can see flow marks left by the lava and sand piles. In summer, you must book a timed-entry ticket online in advance. Lanterns can be rented at the cave entrance, but it is recommended to bring two strong flashlights. The cave stays around 5°C year-round, so bring a jacket. To prevent white-nose syndrome in bats, do not wear clothing or shoes that have been in other caves.
Opening hours
Approx. May–Sep 09:00–17:00 (reservation required)
Nearby sights
- Lava Lands Visitor Center & Lava Butte
- Benham Falls
- High Desert Museum
- Bend Ale Trail
- Old Mill District
- Drake Park & Mirror Pond
- Pilot Butte
- Shevlin Park