Are you looking to explore the best lava caves Bend Oregon has to offer?
You’re in the right place! This article is your one-stop guide to the best caves near Bend Oregon.
As central Oregon locals, we’ve gathered our knowledge of these caves near Bend in this article so you can feel more prepared and confident during your visit.
Lace up your boots, grab your headlamp and caving buddy, and let’s explore these epic lava tubes Bend Oregon has to offer.
Overview of Caves Near Bend
Central Oregon is home to an extensive network of hundreds of caves, each offering a unique underground experience.
These subterranean wonders showcase the region’s rich geological history and provide a memorable adventure for visitors.
Central Oregon has the highest concentration of caves in the state. We can only touch on a handful of the lava tubes in Bend Oregon.
In reality, Deschutes County has over 850 caves! To be precise, over 700 of these caves are lava tubes formed by a type of hot lava that flows fast. The others are mostly formed by different types of flowing lava.
Each cave near Bend Oregon is different. Some are long (up to a mile!) and some are short. Some are heavily trafficked and require a fee and reservation. Others are remote and less traveled.
While there are many caves in Central Oregon, they are sensitive ecosystems. Do your part to leave no trace and help keep preserve them for future explorers.
Caves Near Bend – Map
Use this interactive map to see all the caves mentioned in this article. Also, you can expand this map to open a separate window.
Caves Near Bend: Know Before You Go
Don’t visit any of the caves near Bend until you read these important notices!
- Dress appropriately. Cave temperature remains around 35 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so wearing warm clothing, including jackets and sturdy footwear, is crucial for comfort and safety.
- Bring your own light source and a backup. It’s essential to bring a reliable flashlight or headlamp for visibility. Extra batteries are recommended to ensure an uninterrupted exploration. See a complete packing list at the end of this article.
- Be cautious of low ceilings and uneven surfaces. Cave terrain can be challenging, with low ceilings and uneven surfaces. Visitors should watch their heads and tread carefully to avoid any potential accidents.
- Respect the caves. To preserve these delicate ecosystems (and protect yourself), it’s important to stay on the designated paths and avoid touching any formations. Leave no trace and respect the cave’s natural environment.
- Plan ahead and check for closures. Before visiting, it’s advisable to check for any closures or restrictions. These caves may be closed during certain times of the year for bats.
- Be aware of white nose bat syndrome. Don’t wear the same clothes in multiple caves. Learn more about how to avoid the spread of this unfortunate disease and help save the 14 species of bats in Central Oregon.
Best Caves Near Bend
These caves near Bend are generally regarded as the most impressive and accessible of all the caves in Central Oregon.
Lava River Cave
Lava River Cave is likely the most visited cave in central Oregon. In fact, it is also the longest lava tube in all of Oregon at about a mile long.
Distance from Bend: 20 minutes
Open Season: May 5 – May 29, June 1 – September 15
Amenities: Restroom, flashlight rentals
Fees/Permits: Valid recreation pass, 2$ reservation fee
Reservations: Yes
As a result, making it to the end of the cave is quite an adventure and results in a 2-mile round trip in complete darkness (aside from your light of course).
As one of the most popular caves near Bend, Lava River Cave can be crowded. Parking is particularly limited.
Located within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, this cave is managed by the U.S. Forest Service who have implemented a reservation system designed to limit crowds.
Be sure to read about the reservation system and also learn more about the geology and history of Lava River Cave before you go.
Our take: Lava River Cave is one of the best caves near Bend but be sure to bring a good flashlight and warm clothes if you want to walk the entire 2 miles.
Boyd Cave
Boyd Cave is a large lava cave near Bend that exhibits remarkably well-preserved lava tube formations.
Distance from Bend: 30 minutes
Open Season: Year round
Amenities: None
Fees: No
Reservations: No
Accessible only through a compact 6-foot-diameter opening in the cave’s ceiling, visitors can descend 20 feet via robust steel stairs, immersing themselves in a distinctive and chilly subterranean environment!
Boyd Cave is large, and you can go back quite a way, but it does have a low ceiling at times.
Park on NF-18. The cave entrance is just a short walk from the car. The road is paved up until the last short section. It is easy to access and great for the whole family.
Overall, this cave is a great option for an hour or two of exploring and is free to access.
Redmond Caves
The Redmond Caves are a series of 5 caves that are part of a collapse lava tube near the Redmond airport.
Distance from Bend: 30 minutes
Open Season: Year round
Amenities: None
Fees: None
Reservations: None
Each cave is a bit different. All are unassuming and you would never expect them to be there.
Several are large and can be walked around standing up. It’s so fun to explore them!
Overall, these lava caves near Bend are worth the stop, especially if you are heading north or south along Highway 97.
They are an easy detour off of the highway and can be fully explored within 1-2 hours.
Learn more in our full article about the Redmond Caves.
Skylight Cave
Skylight Cave is named for the incredible but intermittent beams of light that punch through the cave’s ceiling and illuminate the dusty cave below, creating a beautiful natural light source in the cave.
Distance from Bend: 1 hour
Open Season: April 30 – September 15
Amenities: None
Fees: No
Reservations: No
Skylight Cave is most known for the beams of light. Therefore, you should time your visit late morning to early afternoon.
Timing is important as the skylights only light up during certain times of day. Of course, try to choose a sunny day to visit.
The road is dirt and can be bumpy at times. Also, you will likely have to climb a ladder or scramble across some rocks to access the cave.
Arnold Ice Cave and Hidden Forest Cave
Arnold Ice Cave is a unique cave that has an interesting history. Surrounded by sagebrush, juniper trees, and ponderosa pines, this underground wonder was formed by a basalt lava flow around 80,000 years ago.
Distance from Bend: 35 minutes
Open Season: April 30 – September 15
Amenities: None
Fees: No
Reservations: No
While exploring, you may encounter ice formations, depending on the time of year. In fact, the ice was once harvested for commercial activity in Bend.
The cave is part of the Arnold Ice Cave System, a network of interconnected lava tubes. As a result, there are several other accessible caves nearby.
The road to the cave is gravel, but suitable for most vehicles. The trail to the Arnold Ice Cave is very short. Be prepared for a scramble down to the cave entrance.
Hidden Forest Cave is connected to the same lava tube as Arnold Ice Cave which is known altogether as the Arnold Ice Cave System.
Derrick Cave
Derrick Cave, named after H.E. Derrick, an early rancher in the area, is a fairly large and impressive lava tube. It is about a quarter mile long.
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 45 minutes
Open Season: Year round
Amenities: None
Fees: No
Reservations: No
It is a bit harder to get to than most of the other caves near Bend. Not only is it further away, it is also a way off any paved road and has lots of private property around.
In the 1960s, Derrick Cave was designated as a nuclear fallout shelter, stocked with food and water supplies.
Overall, Derrick Cave is a bit more remote but nonetheless exciting cave to explore and worthwhile for a stop especially if you are in the Fort Rock area.
Lava Tube Tours Bend
Wanderlust Tours offers several different lava tube tours near Bend of varying focuses and difficulty levels. They are a highly rated tour guide company located in Bend. Definitely check out their caving tours and also other tours in Central Oregon.
What to Pack to Explore Caves Near Bend
- Clothes and gear that was not used in another cave (avoid the spread of white nose bat syndrome)
- A strong light source and a backup with extra batteries
- Water and food
- A caving buddy (don’t cave alone)
- Helmet, long pants, long shirt, and gloves
- Layers to keep you warm in 33 to 55 degrees
Lava Caves Bend Oregon FAQ
How many caves are there in Central Oregon?
There are over 800 caves in Central Oregon. In fact, according to the Oregon High Desert Grotto, a local group of cavers, there are over 858 currently explored caves in Deschutes County.
How are the caves formed?
The caves in Central Oregon are nearly exclusively formed by flowing lava of different types. Over 700 of these caves were formed by lava tubes, which involves a type of fast flowing, hot lava called pahoehoe (pronounced puh hoi hoi).
Where to learn more about caves in Central Oregon?
The Oregon High Desert Grotto has a ton of information about how these Central Oregon caves were formed. Definitely check out their website to learn more!
Do bats live in the caves?
Yes! Bats hibernate in many of the caves in central Oregon. There are 14 species of bat in central Oregon. Bats are vulnerable to the White Nose Bat Syndrome. You can avoid spreading this fungus by clearing your clothes and gear between exploring different caves.
Conclusion
We hope this guide to Central Oregon Caves was helpful! Get out there and adventure responsibly.
If you are visiting Bend, welcome! We hope you enjoy your time here. If you’re still in the planning stages, be sure to check out our other articles about visiting central Oregon. You also might want to know some other things to do in Bend.
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