Directions to the Flagstaff Lava Tubes (Lava River Cave)

From Interstate 17

• Take the Milton Rd. Exit North (toward peaks).
• Follow signs to Hwy 180.
• Turn North toward peaks (which is left) on Humphreys St.
• Then follow directions below titled "From downtown."

From Interstate 40

• Take the E. Butler Exit and turn West.
• Turn right (North) on San Francisco St. (toward peaks).
• Turn left (West) on Route 66 (a.k.a. W. Santa Fe Ave).
• Then follow directions below titled "From downtown."

From Route 66

• Take Route 66 (a.k.a. W. Santa Fe Ave) toward the Flagstaff downtown area.
• Then follow directions below titled "From downtown."

From downtown

• Head North (toward the peaks) on "Humphreys St." (which is Hwy. 180). Take Humphreys St. almost to the end and turn left at "Fort Valley Rd." to stay on HWY 180. NOTE: If you turn left, it's "Fort Valley Rd. If you turn right, it's W. Columbus Ave. You'll be heading toward the Grand Canyon (keep your eyes pealed for the signs).
• Take "Fort Valley Rd." approximately 13.7 miles to roughly 100 feet past mile marker number "230."
• At this point, set your vehicle's odometer to zero (this is your point of reference)
• Turn left at forest service road (fire road) #245.
• Take that dirt road (which is regularly maintained in non-winter months) for 2.8 miles.
• Turn left at the end of the road (the "T"). Take that dirt road for 1.1 miles.
• Turn left when your odometer reads 3.9 miles from the point of reference (you should see a sign for the cave - as of Winter 2004).
• Take this road for 0.2 of a mile to the parking spots where your final odometer reading should be 4.1 miles from Hwy 180 (the point of reference).