Mushpot Cave: Lava Beds National Monument Beginner Cave

Mushpot Cave is the perfect place to start in Lava Beds National Monument. It is an introductory cave that has interpretive signs and is lit, so you don’t need a flashlight. While it’s not as impressive as the others, it is an excellent way to get excited about the area. Here is all the information.

Details

770 feet
Paved path
Don’t need a flashlight
This information is from my visit in 2016 and 2018
Read about the entire park here

Getting There

Mushpot Cave is located about a quarter-mile walk from the visitor center. You can park at the visitor center lot then make your way down the trail to the entrance of the cave.

The path down to the cave has a lot of fun signs and exhibits to see as well.

The Cave

After getting to the entrance, you will be taking a metal staircase down into the cave itself.

From here, you will be walking along the paved and well-lit path as you explore the cave.

The interpretative signs along the path are an excellent way to learn more about the area and caves in general.

They also warn you when you get to the one part of the cave that you need to duck to get through.

In the middle of the cave, there is a set of seats, which I am guessing are for ranger lead programs.

When you reach the end, you will see a sign that notes this and tells you to walk back the way you came and out of the cave.

Mushpot Cave is an excellent intro cave. It is 700 feet, which is not short, and it gives you an understanding of what you will see in the rest of the park, albeit on a much larger scale.