The entrance to the cave was formed when a portion of the lava tube collapsed. The lava on top was exposed to cool air and hardened while the molten lava continued to drain out below, leaving a tube behind. Subway Cave is actually a lava tube created during a lava flow 20,000 years ago. There is a small parking lot near the cave entrance. This cave is only open for exploration April or May (dependent on snowfall) through October, but it is free to visit. It is less than half a mile from the junction of Highway 89 and Highway 44 in Old Station. It is not located within the park boundaries (it’s about 15 miles north) but it is within Lassen National Forest. Subway Cave is a great place to visit when exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park. Subway Cave Entrance to Subway Cave by www78 They are constantly at 58 degrees with around 90% humidity. You may want to bring a light jacket because the caverns are rather chilly. You will, however, have to navigate some stairs during the tour. ![]() The paths inside the cave are as wide a regular hallway, so you won’t have to do any crawling or navigate tight squeezes. Each tour lasts about 45-60 minutes and on the tour you will see plenty of stalactites, stalagmites, and draperies as well as flowstone and soda straws. These limestone caverns can only be explored via a guided tour, and there are several daily. Catamaran across the lake to the caverns on the mountainside, by Oleg Alexandrov These days, the only way to reach them is via a 10-minute catamaran ride across the McCloud arm of Shasta Lake, followed by a 10-minute bus ride up to the cave entrance. Shasta Lake was formed in 1945 when the Shasta Dam was completed, flooding the area below the carverns. They were officially “discovered” by an employee of a fish hatchery along the McCloud River back in 1878, long before Shasta Lake existed. These Northern California caves have been welcoming visitors since 1964, but they had been used by the Wintu Indians for hundreds of years prior. Recently given the distinction of “National Natural Landmark”, Lake Shasta Caverns have been drawing in folks as they road trip along Interstate 5 for generations. Awesome Caves in California You Can Explore Caves in Northern California Shasta Caverns Whether you walk, climb, crawl, or kayak, you will want to check all these California caves off your list. ![]() Some must be visited on a guided tour, while others are open for independent exploration. Here are 25 caves in California that visitors are allowed to enter and explore. There are limestone caves, lava caves, sea caves, and even rare mud caves to explore across the state. The Golden State is a diverse place, and the caves in California truly reflect that diversity.
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