If you’ve ever wanted to climb through lava tubes, see ice in mid-summer, or find hidden caves with epic views, Washington’s got you covered.
This road trip is packed with underground adventures, wild rock formations, and a few surprises you’d never expect.
We’re talking icy tunnels, echoey chambers, ancient shelters, and secret spots that feel like a whole new world.
These places are all real, all awesome, and all waiting for you to explore.
1. Gardner Cave
Gardner Cave is located in northeastern Washington and is packed with fancy limestone formations.
It’s situated inside Crawford State Park, right near the Canadian border.
It’s got all the classic cave bling like stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and even a 45-foot column that looks like it belongs in a castle.
The only way in is by guided tour (from May to September), so you’ll get all the cool stories while walking through a cathedral-like cave.
2. Lake Lenore Caves
At Lake Lenore Caves, things take a different turn with basalt cliffs that were shaped by ancient floods rather than volcanic or icy forces.
You’ll find these caves in eastern Washington near Soap Lake, along a short rocky trail that leads past shallow cliffside caves and sweeping desert views.
Used as a shelter by Indigenous people long ago, these caves feel like pages from a story that’s been unfolding for centuries.
3. Big Four Ice Caves
The Big Four Ice Caves brings the wow factor in a big way.
At the base of Big Four Mountain off Mountain Loop Highway, these caves change shape every year as snowmelt forms tunnels through the avalanche piles.
The hike to get there is a chill 2.2-mile round trip on a boardwalk trail, but don’t go inside the caves.
They’re stunning from the outside, but parts can fall without warning so it’s best not to venture inside.
4. Layser Cave
Layser Cave feels like a breath of fresh mountain air, with plenty of ancient history to go round.
This shallow cave near Packwood may be small, but it’s rich in history, including artifacts from Indigenous people who lived in the area over 7,000 years ago.
It’s a short walk from the trailhead and opens up to stunning views of the valley below.
5. Ape Cave
If you’re ready to level up your cave game, Ape Cave near Mount St. Helens is an absolute beast as it’s one of the longest lava tubes in the U.S.
This place stretches over two miles underground, featuring an easy lower section and an upper one that’s a rugged climb over lava boulders and rock piles.
It got its name from a group of Boy Scouts called the “Mount St. Helens Apes,” and you’ll feel like an explorer when inside.
6. Cheese Caves
Next up, we have Cheese Caves—yes, real name, and it lives up to the hype.
This long lava tube was once used to age cheese (hence the name), and it’s got a huge metal ladder at the entrance that makes it feel like a secret bunker.
Dark, chilly, and full of echoey tunnels you can wander through, the cave has no cheese left but it’s still fun to explore and imagine what it used to look like.
7. Guler Ice Caves
Just a short drive, Guler Ice Caves are hidden under the forest floor near Trout Lake, and they stay icy cold even in the middle of summer.
This lava tube cave is packed with cool icicles, frozen floors, and crystal-like formations so bring a flashlight and good boots, because it can get slippery.
They formed thousands of years ago from volcanic activity in the Mount Adams area, and exploring them feels like crawling into a secret frozen world.
Related Posts
