There’s a whole other world lurking beneath the earth’s surface and it’s begging to be explored. A visit to the otherworldly gem known as Subway Cave is a great place to start. Tucked away just outside of Lassen Volcanic National Park, this unique cave system offers a rare glimpse at an impressive underground lava tube. It’s long, too, and there’s a .7-mile trail that leads you all the way through it. Take a look:
Explore the underground world of a wildly unique lava tube right here in Northern California. Subway Cave can be found in the Lassen National Forest near the town of Hat Creek, and it's a must-see for any adventurer.
Subway Cave is one of the largest and most easily accessible caves in the area. Located right outside of Lassen Volcanic National Park, you'll find it easily by driving north of the Highway 44/89 junction on Highway 89 for approximately a quarter of a mile.
The area boasts a parking lot where you can follow a trail to the mouth of the cave. From here, you'll descend into the cave using a staircase. Keep in mind that the cave remains a chilly 46 degrees F all year round, so you'll want to bring a light jacket if you expect to be cold.
Another thing you definitely don't want to forget is a flashlight! Subway Cave is pitch black once you get far enough into the lava tube. Relying on your phone's flashlight may be tempting, but it probably won't do. Bring a reliable flashlight so that you can safely navigate the cave's jagged floor.
Once inside of the lava tube, you'll quickly see why it was named Subway Cave. The interior gives off a subway-like appearance as it extends into darkness. Exploring the cave is pretty straightforward with no crawling required.
Do keep an eye out for the cave's various rooms, though! There are a few sections in the lava tube that branch off from the main section. One room, named Lucifer's Cul-de-sac, opens up to 15-foot-tall ceilings that seem loom over you in the enclosed space.
It's a rare treat to see such a large cave so beautifully preserved for hikers to explore. If you do visit Subway Cave, please keep in mind the Leave No Trace principles so that we can keep this amazing wonder intact! For more information, take a look at the Forest Service website.
Did you know about the Subway Cave trail? Have you explored any of NorCal’s caves recently? Let us know in the comments! We would love to hear about your underground adventures.
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