Bend, OR

What an awesome little trek into the netherworld of our Newberry Crater, the volcano that is still alive. Ten miles south of Bend on the left hand side of the hwy is the sign forLava River cave. While Central Oregon has its’ share of cool caves this is one of the better ones by far. Upon first sight you see the fence that totally surrounds the gigantic hole in the ground but you’ll be glad it’s there when you look over the fence as falling would not be a favorable option. There is a guard shack that offers lantern rentals for $4 as you cannot take your own lantern, though you can take flashlights and glow sticks. Once past the guard shack you immediately descend down into the depths of the cave, on a well maintained trail. The cave is approximately 50’ in height and just as wide and travels just a bit over 1 mile, underneath the highway, which is kind of cool to think you are walking under a major highway.

The difference between right before you enter the cave, upon entering the cave and far into the cave is vastly different. The air temperature drops immediately. While it may be 100 degrees outside, the cave rests at a fairly constant temperature of 42 degrees. The ecosystem also differs. Plants that normally could not survive outside of the cave have made a home in here. Mosses you would only normally see in a rainy environment also thrive down in this dark home. There is a sand “beach” if you will where the sand from above trickles down from the ceiling and eventually disappears through the floor, same with drips of water. In the winter this caves houses numerous bats and it has been known to be a home to a black bear on occasion though in the summer there are no bears and it is checked daily. The bats reside all year long and will not bother you. Looking up you will see these creatures sleeping. Lava River cave is a lava tube that collapsed in at one time thus creating the opening in which we now travel through. This is one of the longest caves left in Oregon that is safe. Skeleton cave, East of Bend will actually travel in towards Redmond, almost 20 miles but is not safe for long hikes.Go an experience a primeval world of land before now and in some cases before time. There is plenty of parking and restroom facilities though the cave itself is not wheel chair accessible.