A ranger poses for a photo during an early tour.

The caves at Lava Beds vary greatly in their accessibility and difficulty in navigation. "Developed" caves, ones with entrance stairs, railings, established paths, and even in once case, electric lighting, are mostly found around the Cave Loop Road or near the Visitor Center. Exceptions are the Merrill and Skull Cave areas, and Valentine Cave near the park's south entrance.

There are more than three hundred "wilderness" caves which have not been developed. Some are as easily explored as those on the Cave Loop behind the Visitor Center; some require the most advanced rock climbing skills. Registration at the Visitor Center is highly recommended. It provides you with important information, and us with your itinerary.

Easy Caves

Mushpot Cave: An extension of the Visitor Center, this cave has lights and signs which explain the various formations. Recommended as an introductory cave.
Indian Well Cave: Easy access, high ceiling. Unusual ice formations in winter. An intermittent pool of water in the bottom of the cave accounts for its name.

Golden Dome Cave: The portion of this cave downstream from the entrance ladder is the most easily accessible. The outstanding feature is the extensive yellowish deposits of bacteria which, when covered with water droplets, provide a beautiful golden luster in the light of a flashlight. Also watch for pulloffs, rafted blocks, and pahoehoe floors.

Blue Grotto Cave: The floor is rough, but it is a fairly easy and fun cave to explore. Watch for the pale powder-blue to blue-gray color of the ceiling inside "the Blue Grotto."

Paradise Alleys: Upstream continuations of the Catacombs tube system, separated into individual caves by a series of collapse trenches.

Ovis Cave: When discovered in the 1890's, this large cave contained 36 bighorn skulls. "Ovis" is a Latin derivative for "sheep."

Valentine Cave: This cave has a remarkable floor. You can easily see where the crust on the surface of the lava flow sagged as the liquid beneath it drained away. Other outstanding features include multiple benches, pools, cascades, falls, and unusual ceiling formations.

Skull Cave: When E. L. Hopkins discovered this cave he found two human skeletons, bones of antelope and mountain goats, and bighorn skulls for which he named the cave. It is a remnant of two large lava tubes, one on top of the other. The entrance is the largest in the monument. The lower level has an ice floor year round.

Merrill Cave: Similar to Skull Cave in structure (two tubes, one above the other), yet on a smaller scale. Ice has disappeared from the lower level. Historically, the ice floor was large enough for visitors to skate on.

Balcony & Boulevard Caves: From the parking lot, short trails lead to the caves. Watch for a natural bridge, balconies, and pillars in Balcony Cave, and a very smooth floor in Boulevard Cave.

Big Painted Cave and Symbol Bridge: Reached by a 3/4 mile foot trail. Lights recommended for Big Painted Cave, but not necessary to see the pictographs at Symbol Bridge.

Moderately Difficult Caves

Sunshine Cave: A small, but interesting cave with a rather unusual ceiling. Two collapses allow sunlight to enter where interesting "hanging gardens" can be observed. Watch for lava cascades.

Labyrinth and Lava Brook Caves: These caves are connected by way of a segment requiring some crawling and twisting. Features include frothy pahoehoe, lava pillars, lava benches, and lavacicles.

Sentinel Cave: The trail through this cave is an easy walk and requires no stooping or ducking. There are, however, tubes leading away from the trail which require some physical exertion. Watch for a tube within the tube.

Difficult Caves

Hopkins Chocolate Cave: Watch for E. L. Hopkins' name on the right hand side of the tube. He named it for the rich brown color of the lava coating the ceiling and walls. Other features include pillars, benches, and cascades.

Catacombs Cave: Easily entered but gradually increases in difficulty. There are many interconnected passageways which provide just enough uncertainty to cause the anxiety of suspecting you are lost without really being lost. This cave may be confusing, particularly to inexperienced cavers. EXTENSIVE crawling and squeezing required in lower sections.

Hercules Leg and Juniper Caves: Rather "physical" caves, requiring some stooping and crawling on hands and knees. Watch for rafted blocks, as well as excellent formations on the walls and ceiling.

Thunderbolt Cave: Some crawling is required. Collapses have obliterated much of the common features found in other lava tubes.