Lava River Cave in Flagstaff

Lava River Cave

Location: Flagstaff

Distance of Hike: Aproximately 2 miles - 1/4 mile to the cave and about 3/4 mile inside the cave.

Kid Friendly - Yes - Our kids loved this! - the older 5 headed off and our 4 year old strolled along with us. 
Parking Fee: No


I don't usually like to be alone in pitch black darkness in an unfamiliar place however I walked down the middle of this almost 1 mile long cave underground all by myself and felt at total peace. The Lava River Cave in Flagstaff is an underground cave created from lava flow about 675,000 years ago. It's just a long tube, no off shoots where creepy animals or people can jump out at you. Ha ha !Although the sign did say that creatures do live in the cave. 

The Lava River Cave is just outside of Flagstaff. It's a short 1/4 mile walk from the parking lot to the cave.  You aren't looking for a cave in the side of a mountain.  You are looking for a hole in the ground.  There were quite a bit of people in the cave when we arrived but since it was late afternoon most were heading out.  Our five older kids went on ahead while we stayed with our youngest.  Mid way through the cave my husband decided to turn around with our youngest and start heading out since he knew it would take a while.  I went on ahead to look for our other kids.  Like I mentioned above all alone in a pitch black, if you turn your flashlight off you can't see, cave.  Since there was only one way to come and go I knew I would run into them. 

I actually made a little bit of a fool of myself when I thought they were coming.  I started blinking my flashlight just to find out it wasn't them as they passed.  I did catch up with them at the end where they were trying to crawl into a tiny section.  We headed back and had fun taking shadow pictures.  We'd all shine our flashlight on one person to cast a prominent shadow. 

Ice Cave Trail

Location: Lakeside, AZ

Distance: To the Ice Cave and back - 4 miles

Kid Friendly: Yes. Might be a little long for toddles but a pretty easy trail.
Parking Fee: No

 

First Water Trail

Hieroglyphic Canyon

Hieroglyph Canyon
Location: Gold Canyon - US 60 and Kings Ranch Road (more specific directions are needed to find the trailhead)
Distance of hike: 3 miles
Kid Friendly: Yes
Parking Fee: No

This is a great hike because it is short and there is a destination where the kids can play before heading back.  It is a mile and a half to the Canyon where Petroglyphs are carved on the rocks. Kids love climbing the rocks!

 

Treasure Loop Trail

Treasure Loop Trail - Lost Dutchman State Park-Superstition Mountains

Location: Lost Dutchman State Park - 6109 E Apache Trail Rd 

 Distance of Hike: 2.4 miles

Kid Friendly: Yes
Parking Fee: Yes $7

 

This is my favorite short hike! Family friendly, gradual incline and amazing views! 

 

The Superstition Mountains are my favorite mountains to hike. There are an endless amount of trails. There are caves, canyons, waterfalls (after rain), easy trails, hard trails...

 

The Treasure Loop Trail was one of the first trails we did as a family.  We took our little kids 10 and under to hike this 2.4 mile trail.  I wasn't familiar with the entire trail so we only made it half way the first few times we hiked it.  Starting counterclockwise we would hike to the "big rocks" where are kids would climb and play. One time they found "The Lost Dutchman's Treasure." Someone planted a treasure box with fake jewels and coins.  Another time our youngest was stung by a bee on his thumb.  It's always an adventure.  We weren't sure how much longer the trail was at that time so we turned around and headed back the way we came. 

 

 That is one tip I would give for hiking with young kids for the first time. Turn back before they are tired or hike a trail you know they can finish. Start out small the first few times. Learn you child's endurance level. A question I get a lot is: What is a kid friendly trail?  It really depends on your child. I know a 6 year old child that could not finish this hike.  I know another 6 year old that hike Flat Iron and made it look easy!  It all depends on your child.

 

I would recommend this trail to families.  There are some inclines to give your children a challenge.  I think kids can gain a great sense of accomplishment by hiking challenging trails.  Give your kids some time to play at the "big rocks." Enjoy the views.  Our favorite time of day to hike this trail is early morning.  You are in the shade of the mountains the entire time.  I love watching the sun come over the mountain. 

 

I had to share a funny story about this trail.  I took my six kids on this hike without my husband.  It was the first time I did a trail with the kids without him.  We decided to hike it clockwise this time.  The 3 older kids ran ahead when they spotted the "big rocks." The three little boys were with me.  My youngest was just learning to talk. It was early morning, no one else on the trail except us.  I had my youngest in a back carrier and he yells out "Big dog!"  I stopped dead in my tracks!  I'm looking around for a mountain lion, javelina, coyote... my mind racing as I'm trying to locate all of my kids.  Come to find out he was talking about a big rock formation, which did look like a head of a big dog.  Ha ha!  It took me a while but I did find it funny. 

Silly Mountain

Silly Mountain
Location: US 60 and Mountain View Rd

Distance: Up to 3 miles

Kid Friendly: Yes! You can shorten or lengthen the hike depending on how your kids are doing based on the loops. 

Parking Fee: No