Mammoth Cave - Dixie National Forest

Introduction:

What? :

Mammoth Cave is a lava tube located on the Markagunt Plateau in the Dixie National Forest of Southern Utah, and it is one of the largest lava tubes in Utah.

The cave has over 2,200 feet (670 m) of passage and is about a quarter mile (400 m) long.

 

 

 

Where? :

Located in the high Dixie National Forest in southern Utah, between highway 89 to the east and N. Mammoth Creek Rd, not so far from the small recreation town of Duck Creek Village.

 

From Duck Creek Village (on highway 14), head east on State Road 14, after 0.2 mile turn left onto N. Mammoth Creek Rd (Forest Road 050).

On FR 050 drive for 6.3 miles north until you can turn right onto Forest Road 064, you will see a clear sign to Mammoth Cave.

From here it is unpaved forest road.

Drive for about another 0.8 mile on 064 and turn left into another forest road, also here you will see a clear sign.

This forest road path is clearly marked and easy to follow all the way to the parking lot near the lava tubes.

Google Map Link

 

 

When? :

The cave is open year-round.

Although the cave is open year-round, portions of it are closed off from October until April to protect hibernating bats.

Mammoth Creek Road may be completely impassable to drive on during the winter months due to snowfall.

 

The cave is roughly a quarter mile long, just near the parking lot making it an easy hike. The main cave is tall for most of it, so it is easy to walk inside.

 

Due note 1:

Due to moisture and its elevation of 8,050 feet (2,450 m) above sea level the cave stays cool year-round.

 

Due note 2:

Access is on paved roads except for the last 3 miles, which is on nice dirt roads.

The drive here can be done by any car, no need for AWD or 4x4.

 

Due note 3:

In the cave parking lot, there are restrooms. No running water.

 

Due note 4:

This is family and kids friendly place to visit.

 

Due note 5:

A flashlight or headlamp is highly recommended for each person entering the cavern.

You can use your phone flashlight because it is not a long hike in the dark, but this is less recommended.

 

Due note 6:

As rainwater penetrate the cave the rocks slick, wear sturdy hiking shoes.

Bring a jacket with you.

 

Due note 7:

They are well known and easy to get to, which makes them extremely popular. When I visit here at early august mid-day the cave parking lot was almost full of other visitor’s cars, many ATV, and other offroad vehicles.

 

Nearby Locations Blogs:

• Zion National Park
• Zion National Park – Drive Through the Park Road
• Zion National Park – Kolob Area
• Zion National Park – Kolob Area, Middle Fork Taylor Creek Trail
• Grafton Ghost Town (located near Zion National Park)
• 
  
• Bryce National Park 
• Bryce Canyon National Park – Rim Trail Hike
• Kodachrome State Park
• Cedar Breaks National Monument
• Cedar Breaks National Monument – Dixi Forest Fall Colors
• 
  
• St. George, Utah - Outdoor Activities
• St. George, Utah – Snow Canyon State Park
• St. George, Utah – Snow Canyon State Park, Cinder Cone
• St. George, Utah – The Vortex (Bowl) Hike
• St. George, Utah – Yant Flat Candy Cliffs Hike
• St. George, Utah – Red Cliffs Canyon Loop Hike
• St. George, Utah – The Kiln

 

 

My thoughts:

This wasn’t my first lave tube experience. I visit many lava tube caves in California, Oregon and Washington state in the past, including the largest in the US (except of Hawaii), 2.5 miles long, Ape Cave.

Here it is much smaller with less interesting caverns but it nice summer activity, short break from the heat.

 

I came here mid-day, and I still wanted to visit and hike in Cedar Breaks National Monument, so I did not have a lot of time for this cave exploration.

I went into the main cave, explore one tunnel to the point it was getting low, then I explore the large tunnel.

It is a fun 1-hour activity, especially in mid hot summer day.

You will probably not be the only one out here…

 

 

The visit:

 

This Lava cave tube was formed less than 2,000 years ago by cooling of the lava surface while the underneath flow continue, leaving behind the open cave.

The tube system have three entrances and four large tunnels and because of time constrains I did not explore them all.

 

From the parking lot cross the picnic day use area and you will see the cave entrance.

The cave main entrance is like big hole in the ground where the ceiling rock of the cave collapse.

 

From the entrance you will see a cave leading into the direction of the parking lot.

This is the main lava tube in this cave system, and it is gated by large metals bars.

When it is not close to bath season (October until April) there is a small opening at the bottom of the grate, and you can crawl between the lower iron bars and get inside the cave.

This cave is tall and wide, and there was no chance of bumping your head in the ceiling.

Enjoy exploring the lava tubes cave.

The surface is not even and rocky and it might also be sleeper so be careful how you walk.

The cave is large, and you can stand tall in most sections.

The exit to the cave is snug and requires crawling on the ground that can be muddy.

You can always walk back the same way you get to this point.

 

I spend here for about half an hour in total, it was short and fun experience.

 

 

Additional Pictures: