Lava River Cave uses timed reservations to help visitors secure parking on site and better plan their experience. Arrive at your scheduled start time and depart the parking lot no later than 2 hours after your scheduled arrival time. This allows rangers to accommodate other visitors’ reservations.

Please arrive no later than 30 minutes after your reservation start time. The gates to the parking lot will close daily at 2:30, 30 minutes after the last reservation begins.

In addition to a timed reservation ticket, a valid recreation pass is required at the cave. Passes accepted include the Northwest Forest Pass (Annual or Day) and Interagency Passes (e.g., America the Beautiful). Passes are sold at Lava River Cave, Lava Lands Visitor Center, or through local vendors . A digital day use pass can be purchased on Recreation.gov. 

Visitors may secure up to 2 private vehicle reservations per day for a single time slot – the reservation holder must be in the vehicle at time of reservation.

To ensure resource protection and visitor safety, a short orientation is required. Orientations occur every 15 minutes, and are built into your 2 hour reservation. 

In the interest of preventing the spread of White-nose syndrome to bats that reside in the Cave, we require that you do not wear or bring clothing or gear that has been inside another cave or mine.  

Accessible parking is available. Above ground trails, walkways, interpretive signage, and bathrooms are accessible. The interior of Lava River Cave is not accessible. The pathway from the parking lot to the entrance of the cave is paved, but not fully accessible due to a steep grade greater than 5%.

We strongly encourage visitors to bring or rent two light sources. Flashlights can be rented on site for a small fee. This is the safest way to experience and enjoy the cave. Cell phone lights are inadequate and unsafe.

Wear sturdy shoes and warm clothing. Average temperature in the Cave is 42 degrees Fahrenheit/5.5 degrees Celsius. 

Park in designated sites only. Oversized and accessible parking is available.

Dogs are not allowed inside Lava River Cave. Do not plan to leave your pet inside your vehicle during your visit. The parkinglot lacks shade and warms up quickly during the day. 

Lava River Cave offers restrooms, oversized and accessible parking spots, and cellular service for most carriers. There is no drinking water available onsite. There are no public picnic tables and minimal seating, shade and shelter available. Visitors are encouraged to picnic at nearby Lava Lands Visitor Center or Benham Falls.

Rabies is naturally present in all wild bat populations including the ones here at Lava River Cave. Rabies is dangerous/deadly to people so never touch/handle/approach any bats, even if you think it is dead. Please report any bat sightings/encounters to cave staff.