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Camper submitted image from Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171View 10 Photos
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Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171

8 ReviewsAdd Review

Cave explorers and dispersed camping enthusiasts will find Forest Road 171 provides direct access to the area's lava tube formations while offering multiple camping spots along the route. This free Forest Service site sits within Coconino National Forest, where campers can set up along the wide dirt road that accommodates everything from passenger cars to large RVs.

The main road handles most vehicle types without difficulty, though campers report dust from logging trucks during weekdays. Multiple camping areas spread along the route, with some featuring existing fire pits. "Plenty of camping along roads into cave area, found private spot with fire pit," notes Tarryn T.. Temperatures stay moderate even in summer, with July highs remaining in the 80s at this elevation.

Cell service varies by carrier, with Verizon users reporting good connectivity while T-Mobile shows no signal. The site can get busy during events like Overland Expo, requiring campers to drive further from the main entrance to find quieter spots. Train noise carries from nearby tracks throughout the night. Water must be packed in, as the nearest source sits in Flagstaff.

The campground works well for RV users needing level ground and car campers seeking easy access to lava tube hiking, though GPS navigation can lead to confusing forest service roads on departure.

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Location

Dispersed Camping

Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

35.26233379 N
111.8329682 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 19 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 34 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 4/3/26

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 19 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 34 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 4/3/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 needs a permit.

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Drive Time

Reviews

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63%
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4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the area's spacious sites and excellent road accessibility for all vehicle types. Many appreciated the shaded spots and proximity to the lava cave attraction. The main drawback involves bringing water supplies, as none are available on-site.

IThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Mar. 13, 2026

Great, just not right here

Head just north of this spot to the big cut where the gas line run an head west. A few great spots on the tree line. The main road is super dusty and there are logging trucks running up/down it during the week. Mostly quiet but pretty dusty, I enjoyed staying here.

SiteDispersed
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 by Ian B., March 13, 2026
  • Review photo of Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 by Ian B., March 13, 2026
CThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Sep. 24, 2024

Fully satisfied

We loved the area. Drive around a few times checking it out easy to find and plenty of space for all kinds of campers. Even my Camry made it out. The lava cave was a decent hike but my two year old and pregnant fiancé made it down and up. Camp ground not crowded but the cave was

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 by Charles G., September 24, 2024
  • Review photo of Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 by Charles G., September 24, 2024
  • Review photo of Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 by Charles G., September 24, 2024
  • (5) View All
James G.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 20, 2024

Fantastic Forest Campsite!

I really enjoyed our night here! The road was very accessible and wide so pretty much any vehicle or trailer combo can make it through. It was busy so we had to drive a few miles before we found a quiet spot but we were there during Overland Expo so that might be why.

The only downside was the weird intersection you have to go through right off the hwy. When we went Google hadn't updated yet so our directions were a bit confusing.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 by James G., May 20, 2024
TThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 6, 2024

Cold and kinda creepy

Went in to check out lava cave tube. Plenty of camping along roads into cave area, found private spot with fire pit. Super cold, woke up to weird animal noises at night and in morning. GPS then took us almost Jeep trails through forest service for very long time. Probably wouldn’t stay here again.

Month of VisitMay
AThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Mar. 10, 2024

Easy in & out

Plenty of room. Easy to find and the dirt road was great for a car. Stopped in mid-March and there was still a few places with snow and it got down to 30 degrees at night.

Month of VisitMarch
Kirk H.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Sep. 16, 2023

Excellent camping in the pines

Great camping and I only went about 1.5 miles up the dirt road as my camper is new to me and I didn't want to go to far off the beaten path in case i needed something from town. Turns out both of my rv batteries needed replaced so we made a 15 min drive to Walmart before they closed and were back in business with everything working on the rv. Also a nice thing is the pilot 24 hour gas station in only about 2 miles away if you needed something as well. Gives my wife peace of mind as she is a city slicker and not real sold on boondocking. Also Verizon signal was good and allowed my daughter to attend her online college courses with zoom, Tmobile had no signal.

SiteDispersed camping
Month of VisitSeptember
SThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2023

Beautiful and peaceful

Great weather, great spots that are shaded all day. Beginning of July and it didn’t even spike above 85. Only issue is you’ve got to bring a lot fo water cause the closest water is in the middle of flagstaff

Siteabout 3 miles down there’s a clearing and a path to the side I set up in the middle of the trees
Month of VisitJuly
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available near the Flagstaff lava tube caves?

The area around Forest Road 171 offers dispersed camping with numerous sites along the road leading to the lava tube caves. There are plenty of established spots with existing fire rings, many providing good shade throughout the day. Sites are available for all types of camping setups from tents to RVs and trailers. For those wanting more privacy, driving further along the road (about 1.5-2 miles in) provides more secluded options. The camping area gets busy during peak seasons and special events, but the spacious layout usually accommodates everyone. Be prepared for potentially cold temperatures even in summer, and occasional wildlife encounters and train noise at night.

How do I access Forest Road 171 to reach the lava tube caves near Flagstaff?

Forest Road 171 is easily accessible and leads directly to the lava tube caves. The dirt road is well-maintained and suitable for most vehicles, including regular cars. The road is wide enough for various vehicle types, including RVs and trailers. You'll need to drive approximately 1.5-2 miles up the road to reach good camping areas, with the cave requiring a short hike once you're there. The road conditions remain fairly good even in different seasons, though you may encounter some snow patches in winter months. There's no water available on site, so bring plenty of supplies before heading out from Flagstaff.

Are fires allowed at Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171 does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Lava Tube Cave Path on Forest Road 171?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and possible coverage for Verizon.

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