Lava Flow (AKA The Lava Tubes)

The Lava Flow Trail in Snow Canyon State Park, near St. George, offers a unique hike to two large lava tube caves. Both caves are open for exploration, so don’t forget to bring a flashlight.

Hike Info:

• Dog-friendly: No
• Fee: Snow Canyon State Park Fee

The trail has a large parking area at the north end of the park. It’s an out-and-back trail that first passes a large lava tube and then a smaller one. The hike is gently downhill but has no shade, so be prepared for the sun. The lava tubes themselves are nice and cool inside, providing a refreshing break.

Exploring the Snow Canyon Lava Tubes:

• The largest tube requires a careful descent. You can walk down inside the rim, but there’s a drop to the cave floor. Skirting around to the right, you’ll find a tricky spot, but with help, it’s manageable.
• Inside, one direction leads to a large cavern that’s about 25 yards deep. You’ll need a flashlight, and you might see bats, so don’t disturb them.
• Another direction in the tube is narrower and requires a bit of squeezing. It eventually leads to a 6-foot drop-off, which might be too challenging to climb back up.
• Avoid using glow sticks as they can damage the cave walls.

The second lava tube is further down the trail. It’s smaller but still interesting and easier to navigate, making it great for young kids. It also requires some squeezing but is more accessible.

Enjoy your adventure and stay safe!

Important Information: 

• This out-and-back trail is 2.5 miles round trip and is rated moderate. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to complete and has 396 feet in elevation gain.
• There are restrooms at the nearby parking lots throughout the state park.
• Dogs are not welcome on this trail.
• This hike is considered family friendly, but the trail is quite rocky and requires some athleticism to navigate the tubes. 
• This trail is located inside of Snow Canyon State Park. View this website for park fees. 
• There is no permit required for this hike. 
• There are no water sources. Pack plenty of water and snacks!
• This hike is popular from October- April. It gets quite hot in the summer months. 

Family Tips for Visiting the Lava Tubes

After checking out the lava tubes, you can continue along the Lava Flow trail. This trail can also be paired with the Butterfly Trail. Most people do the Snow Canyon lava tubes as a round trip. Here are some tips to stay safe while exploring the lava tubes:

• Bring a headlamp or flashlight: You’ll need light to see inside the lava tubes.
• Skip the glow sticks: They’re not necessary.
• Wear pants: Lava rocks can be sharp, so pants will protect your legs.
• Wear a hat: If you bump your head, it won’t hurt as much.
• Remember it’s tougher on the way back up: Just because you can go down doesn’t mean coming back up will be easy.