The Lava River Cave is a lava tube located on South Thompson Street within the Coconino National Forest. Discovered in 1915 by lumberman, it is the longest cave in Arizona with a length of 0.75 miles. It is sometimes called the Government Cave because of its proximity to Government Peak and Government Prairie.

Visiting the cave is an educational experience that allows visitors to learn about biology, geology, history, and caves in general. There is no front door to the cave; visitors climb down through a hole in the ground and then the adventure begins. The floor is slippery in some places, and, because it can be quite cold inside, visitors need to wear warm clothes. You might see a few animals like bats and squirrels in the cave.

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