Skip to Main Content

Bend, Oregon: Lava River Cave: Lava Tube

Mile-long natural "lava tube" in the lava beds. Left in its natural state; can be explored by lantern.

Lava River Caves State Park

Address:
US Hwy 97, Bend, OR
Directions:
Lava River Caves State Park, Hwy 97, 12 miles south of Bend. 1 mile south of Lava Lands Visitor Center. Reserve timed entry at recreation.gov
Hours:
Closed Oct-Apr. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
541-593-2421
Admission:
$5 day pass, lantern rental.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Lava River Cave: Lava Tube

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Lava River Cave: Lava Tube

Timed entry is now required. Make reservations online at recreation.gov

[Greg Parsons, 08/02/2023]

Cave.

Lava River Cave - Lava Tube

We are from Colorado and used to cold temperatures, but bringing a sweatshirt helped, and gloves are a plus. The metal railings are cold in the cave and your fingers get really cold.

[Barbara L., 07/30/2015]
Lava River Cave - Lava Tube

On a trip through Oregon during the summer of '98 we visited the "Lava Tube" somewhere near Bend (I think). For a small admission fee you receive a gas lantern and are directed to the opening of the Tube. It was formed by a passing lava flow that cooled on the sides causing this tube-like cave. Nobody knows how far it really goes, but you can walk until you can't stand upright and continue on your knees. Why? I am not sure, as it is scary in there!

It is always a cool temperature and was originally used by the guy who discovered it to store meats 'n such way back when. We were the last to arrive and the woman who manned the cash register said that she was going home and said for us to leave the lanterns at the gate when we came back. We were also told that we could bring a shovel and dig some more at the end if we were inclined to see what was further in the tube.

We went pretty far in, then thought, " we are all alone in the lava tube, in the dark, are we mad?" Then we proceeded out of the tube as fast as we could, responsibly returned the lanterns and left with the warm fuzzy that comes from visiting a roadside attraction that is really good!

[Kelly & Jean, 02/10/2000]

The lava tube is over a mile long.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Arnold Ice CavesArnold Ice Caves, Bend, OR - 11 mi.
Last Blockbuster StoreLast Blockbuster Store, Bend, OR - 12 mi.
Shoe TreeShoe Tree, Bend, OR - 17 mi.
In the region:
Shoe Tree Formerly in Redmond, Bend, OR - 17 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Oregon Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights