Subway Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Old Station, CA 96071. Near Old Station Visitor Center, 400 m north of the junction of Highway 44 and 89, across from Cave Campground. Parking lot at the cave, 100 m walk to the cave entrance. (40.6860080, -121.4188540)
Open:	MAY to OCT daily. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Lava Tube
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	T=8 °C, L=400 m.
Guided tours:	self guided tour, L=535 m.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Hat Creek Ranger District, P. O. Box 220, Fall River Mills, CA 96028, Tel: +1-530-336-5521.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Subway Cave is a lava tube, formed in the Hat Creek lava flow, less than 20,000 years ago. A series of north-south fissures erupted, and the lava flew north for about 25 km until it stopped, covering the floor of Hat Creek Valley. This lava flow contains several lava tubes, but Subway Cave is the largest known.

The cave is located in Lassen National Forrest at road 44/89 north of the Old Station Visitor Information Center. From the parking a trail leads to the entrance, the cave is entered on a stairway at a place where the former roof collapsed, called Devil’s Doorway. Soon after the entrance, a small widening of the tunnel is called Stubtoe Hall. Now the tunnel becomes rather narrow for some time, until Lucifer’s Cul-de-Sac turns off to the left side. A wider passage goes to the biggest chamber of the cave called the Sanctum. The last part of the tube is again rather narrow and called Lavacicle Lane, because of the lava structures found here. Similar to the entrance, the cave ends at a collapse of the ceiling called Rattlesnake Collapse. A last sight is the lava bubble at the far right of this place. Now the cave is left on another stairway, and a trail to the right leads back to the car park above ground.

This cave is well developed with trails and staircases, there are signs for self-guided tours. The cave has no light, so it is essential to bring some good torches. The trail is not difficult, nevertheless good hiking shoes are much recommended. The cave is freely accessible so there are actually no open hours and there is no fee. The cave is closed during winter for bat protection, so please respect the closure.