Mammoth and Bower Caves

Our unofficial cave lecture series continues with a new post about Mammoth and Bower caves near Duck Creek, Utah. These ‘caves’ are actually lava tubes, formed by the volcanic activity in the region.

The Mammoth Caves area has multiple openings to access the tubes. Access the cave via any of these openings. You can then walk, or crouch, through as far as you would like. There was one section that went all the way through and you could exit the tube. Our kids went through, the adults decided to not have to be on our bellies and turned around. It was fun to crawl through the gate of the next section and explore further, we felt like veritable spelunkers.

Bower Cave is nearby but you will have to drive to it. It is a smaller and shorter tube to walk around in. To access the cave, you will descend a ladder. Watching others descend into the small hole the ground looked like they were being swallowed by the earth.

As you walk through these tubes, it is really cool to think about lava flowing through them. The whole region has a lot of easily visible evidence of volcanic activity, which is fascinating to see. Shine your light around and appreciate the textures, water droplets on the ceilings, and geological variations even in the dark and unexposed space.

It is highly recommended to bring a headlamp, it is darker than dark with very uneven ground, small puddles and patches of mud. A phone light is not ideal. It is also cool and damp, we suggest coats during your explorations.

Difficulty: Moderate related to limited visibility and very uneven walking surfaces. Descending into or out of either cave requires a bit of physical ability. You will be scrambling up or down the rocks into Mammoth Cave, and for Bower cave you will ascend and descend a ladder to access it.

Trail Stats: This is a “go into the cave and walk around as you see fit” scenario. There is not much incline or decline. Estimates of length for Mammoth Caves is around 0.5 miles. 

Trail Finding: You can’t get lost with this one, you are in a tube.

Conditions: Dark, damp, cold, and extremely uneven ground. Some portions are muddy.

Would I Repeat This: You betcha, and we have!

Parking: Parking lot available at both.

Timing: Spring, summer, fall seasons are best related to road access to this area. Be aware that one section of the cave has a gate in front of it, a portion is open to crawl through during certain times of the year. In the late fall and into the winter and early spring, people-access is blocked so that bats can hibernate.

Downloaded Map: It may be helpful to find the openings to the cave, but not necessary since the caves are marked at the parking lot.

Fees: None. 

Trails: Cascade Falls, Virgin River Rim trail, and Navajo Lake.