Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave is an old lava tube located just east of Duck Creek Village in the Dixie National Forest, Southern Utah. Mammoth Cave is one of the biggest lava tubes in all of Utah. The cave has over 2,200 feet of passage and is approximately .25 miles long. Mammoth Cave is said to be formed by cooling lava and water less than 2,000 years ago. Thanks to moisture and its high elevation of 8,050 feet above sea level, Mammoth Cave stays cool all year round.

The cave system is fun for the whole family, however, there are some things to consider before trekking into the darkness. The cave is pitch black, if you do not have high-quality flashlights, you will not be able to see where you are going and may get injured. Also, you will need to check that there aren’t any rainstorms in and around the area while attempting this cave. You may experience flooding during rainy condition. It is also important to have the proper footwear for hiking. The floor of the cave is made up of Lava rock and dirt, so standard shoes may get damaged and/or not provide enough traction when the floor is muddy or slippery.

It is also important to know that you will need to climb under a gate to enter the cave, as well as climb in and out of the cave entrance. If you suffer from health conditions that limit mobility, this may not be the best option for you. Mammoth Cave is only open to visitors from May to October to ensure that local bats are protected and can hibernate without disturbance. There are four cave chambers with the longest chamber to the west. The chamber will start out very big and open. However, if you trek all the way down to the end, the chamber get very tight leading up to the exit. If this isn’t for you, you can always go as far as you are comfortable and then turn around and head back to where you entered.