What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park: Into The Darkness Of Subway Cave After A Fire Breakout

Oct 15, 2024

Last Updated on: Aug 29, 2025

Travel Blog

Lassen Volcanic National Park was in the news recently as the fourth-largest wildfire in California exploded out of proportion. The park’s officials evacuated staff from the Mineral community near the park headquarters. 

120 people were there in the community, and the evacuation started as the fire started moving east to the park on the evening of 26th July 2024. 

However, the park fire reached near containment in August, and on 17th August 2024, the park was partially reopened. You may wonder what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park after the fire breakout and if there is any significant destruction in the places of interest in the park. 

Let me assure you. The park officials stated that the fire had never entered the park. However, there are still risks in the southern part of the park and Mill Creek and Mineral communities. 

Nevertheless, the reopened parts of the park are out of danger despite some lingering smoke. So, Subway Cave, located around 15 miles north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, is one of the safest sites to explore after the fire incident. Make a rush, as it remains open from late April to November

What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park After The Fire Breakout (Exploring The Underground World Of A Lava Tube)

What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park After The Fire Breakout

Yes, you got me right! I am talking about the Subway Cave. The self-guided trail inside the cave is ⅓ miles long and 30 feet wide, and complete darkness is inside. So, many call it the journey into darkness. The USDA Forest Service maintains the cave, which remains open from dawn to dusk. 

Before I get into more stories and facts about the cave, I want to present the basics you need to know briefly. 

Important Facts About Subway Cave, Lassen National Volcanic Park 
Location in the ParkA 2-minute walk from the parking lot near the junction of “Highway 89” and “Highway 44” in Old Station
AmenitiesPicnic
Tables
Drinking Water
Parking
Toilets
Interpretive Site
FeesFree (You can make donations)
Pet-FriendlyNo
Parking FacilitiesMany Parking Facilities, Buses and RVs
Outdoor ActivitiesInterpretative Sessions, Caving, Picnic
Temperature Inside the Cave46 Degree Farrenheit 
Nearby AttractionShasta County (Mountainous landscape and multiple picnic locations)
Nearby Trails*Cinder Crone TrailSpattercone Nature TrailButte Lake to Widow Lake, etc. 

*Many hiking trails in the park, such as the Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, and Mill Creek Falls, are closed as the park has partially reopened after the recent wildfire explosion. So, check with the park authorities before you plan a hike on the park trails

This Is How The Subway Cave Was Formed 

If you are a keen learner of geology and want to know what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you cannot avoid the lure of Subway Cave. I have already shared an account on the geothermal wonders of the park. This cave is an example of how lava flowed around 20000 years ago and created some magic. 

A major lava explosion happened all across the Hat Creek area around 20000 years ago. The top layer of the lava flow became cold and hard in contact with air. Thus, a hard cap was formed. However, there was a continuous flow of molten lava below this cap. 

The molten lava drained out Over time, but a hollow tube structure remained there. As you hike this trail, you will find traces of the more recent lava flows. 

Route To The Subway Cave

Is Bumpass Hell on your list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park? Are you planning a trip to the park soon? Then, you will be disappointed as the Bumpass Hell trek route is closed after the park has reopened following the recent fire breakout. 

Further, as Bumpass Hell is closed, you must take the Warner Valley Area route to  Devils Kitchen, which is the cave’s opening. Devils Kitchen is a 4.4-mile hike from the Warner Valley Area (camping here is closed for 2024).  

Accessing The Subway Cave 

You have to climb down metal stairs as you access the Subway Cave. You will get down into a wide opening in the ground. The ground surface has a leveled floor. However, you must be careful as you get off the stair flight. 

Further, you must wear sturdy footwear to avoid injuries and difficulties where the floor gets rough. 

Fortunately, the ceiling and walls are quite smooth, minimizing the hiking difficulty level while hiking. Also, there is complete darkness inside the cave. So, you will need a flashlight to make it to the end. 

The weather inside is a little cold, even in summer. So you will need a light jacket. Moreover, don’t forget to read and follow the interpretative signs through the trail to better understand the place. 

The best thing about this park is that it’s 30 feet wide. So, even with complete darkness inside, you never feel suffocated. 

Accessing The Subway Cave

What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park Subway Cave

It is not a long walk inside the Subway Cave. However, this short walk is enough to make it feature on the list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic Park. 

Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac (An Attraction Very Few Knows About)

Have you listened to Satan’s Cul-de-sac from Gangland Buries Its Own? The first thing that may amaze you inside the cave is Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac. There is a split as you enter the cave, and you are to turn to the right if you want to continue the trail.

However, you will notice a big room if you are adventurous enough to turn left, when I tell you about Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac, The ceiling height starts from 6 feet and gets higher up to 15 feet.

The most amazing thing about this room inside the cave is the rock formation on the ceiling and walls. It’s gothic and justified its name. 

As The Hike Advances 

The ceiling height will vary as you continue the trek, and there are small boulder-like rock formations in many places. So, be careful with your steps and do not stumble upon them. Also, because of these rock formations, you must not wear an open-toe shoe while walking through the cave. 

Nevertheless, the ceiling formation is fascinating, and in one section, it looks like stoned rainfall or water ripples. The section is called the Lavacicle Lane. Molten lava dripped off through the cracks in the ceiling cave, and there were formations of “drip pendants” or “lavacicles.” 

Further, as you plan to take the exit, you notice all the colors in the lava rock formation, including green, blue, white, and brown lines. 

Getting Out Of The Subway Cave

As you approach the end of the cave, you will find a metal stair flight similar to the one at the entrance. From the top of the exit staircase, you can hike through an on-ground trail to the west or north to find the parking lot. 

However, I prefer to take another walk through the cave and get back to the entrance. It will be so much fun to explore this unique geological formation again. 

Things To Remember Before Getting Into The Darkness Of The Subway Cave 

Subway Cave is a hidden gem if you consider what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, once you take the hike and read the interpretative signs, you will learn why it is geologically unique. 

Nevertheless, you must be careful about certain things to ensure complete safety throughout the hike. 

You will find rattlesnakes in the trail, and you have to be respectful to these reptiles. You must not make any move to catch or hurt them. Moreover, you cannot go off trails or litter inside the cave. 

No food, water, or firelighting is allowed inside the cave. There are picnic areas nearby for you to catch refreshments. Wish you a safe, easy, and fun-filled experience inside the Subway Cave! 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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But don’t let the obsession with the grape fool you—traveling here, you’re in for high-energy Santiago, mind-blowing seafood in Valparaíso, classic farmhouses, and some wineries that look like spaceships landed in the vines. The Essential Wine Regions Of Chilean Wine Country Can’t see it all? Yeah, same. So here are the spots you wanna hit if you thrive on the good life: 1. Maipo VALLEY – The Bordeaux Of South America Jump in a car from Santiago and you’re basically in wine heaven before you’ve finished your podcast.  Maipo’s like Bordeaux if Bordeaux were dragged down to South America and given a tan. Their Cabs are everything—sun, altitude, crazy temperature swings. Here, you bounce between proper castles and tight-knit family farms. Pro tip: Say yes to barrel tastings, even if you don’t know what’s going on. Also, picnic in the vines? Yes, please. 2. Colchagua Valley – Bold Reds And Boutique Luxury Prefer your wine big and loud? Colchagua’s where it’s at. You get Carmenère, Malbec, and Syrah, all hedged in by mountains and dusty hills.  Out here, you can sleep in some bougie lodge, eat with a chef who got bored with Santiago, or hop on a horse and clop around feeling very, very far from home—or work. 3. Casablanca Valley – Cool-Climate Elegance Suddenly need something crisp? Casablanca’s like dipping your toes in the ocean, but with wine. The vibe? Super chill (temperature-wise too), close to Valparaíso, and heavy on Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay that somehow taste like the smell of fresh rain. And, weirdly, the buildings at some of these wineries—glass walls, clean lines—make you feel like you’re drinking inside a modern art painting. Not bad, right? 4. Aconcagua Valley – Tradition Meets Innovation Nose around north of Santiago, and you hit Aconcagua. This place is a mashup: grandad techniques next to bright-eyed winemakers pouring orange wine and talking about fermentation like it’s the new rock ’n’ roll.  Reds, whites, and all kinds of stuff in between. More Than Just Wine: Immersive Chilean Wine Country Experiences Let’s be honest for a second: even if wine’s great, no one wants just wine, all the time. Some add-ons you can’t miss: Gourmet Food: Loads of wineries double down with restaurants that’ll ruin you for regular meals—seafood, lamb, veggies, all paired so well you’ll start rating salad at home. Art and Architecture: Sometimes you come for the wine, and end up taking fifty photos of the cool ceilings or a painting hung next to barrels. Nature and Adventure: Think: hiking near volcanoes, pedaling past vines, even floating in a hot air balloon. Wild? Yes. Culture Stuff: Pick grapes with strangers, learn a dance and laugh at yourself, or poke around for cheese, olive oil, or crafts that weigh down your suitcase. When To Visit Chilean Wine Country Best part—Chile’s long enough that there’s always somewhere worth going. If you want the inside scoop: Harvest (March to May): Grapes everywhere, everyone’s busy, and there’s a good chance you’ll get roped into a festival—or grape-stomping contest. Spring (September to November): The Weather’s sweet, gardens and vines exploding, and not a tour bus in sight. Summer (December to February): Big sunshine, big crowds, big everything. Good if you want max hustle and bustle. Traveling In Style: Curated Luxury Wine Tours Hate planning logistics? Me too. Just get a fancy tour company and let them sweat the details—private tastings, cool places to crash, cars to get you from A to B, and guides who know when to hang back and when to start telling crazy stories about wine politics. Check out Into the Vineyard or anyone who actually answers their emails. They make sure you’re doing what you want, not what the last ten tourists did. One of the best ways to experience the breadth of Chile’s wine regions is with a specialized travel company like Into the Vineyard. A Sample Luxury Chile Wine Tour Itinerary Let’s imagine how a week goes down (give or take, you know?): Day 1 – Land in Santiago. Someone grabs your bags; you’re at a boutique hotel with a welcome drink before you even check Wi-Fi. Day 2 – Maipo Valley. Taste, eat, repeat. If the schedule says “vineyard lunch,” you’re in for at least three wines before dessert. Day 3-4 –  Colchagua Valley. Sleep in a posh lodge. Visit small-batch wineries. Maybe fall off a horse (hopefully not). Day 5 – Casablanca Valley. White wine and seafood until you need a nap. Then, go to Valparaíso for a night out. Graffiti, music, food, the works. Day 6 –  Aconcagua Valley. Get nerdy with organic wine folks. Learn that “biodynamic” isn’t just a buzzword. Day 7 –  Back to Santiago. Last gifts, one more meal, then gone. Insider Tips for the Perfect Chilean Wine Country Tour Here are some of the tips for travel. The travellers should follow these tips for a more immersive experience while visiting the place. Honestly, don’t drive yourself. Local drivers know where to go (and where to stop for the best empanadas). Try the funky grapes—País, Carignan, even that Riesling with the label you can’t pronounce. Book the good stuff early—boutique tours disappear quickly. Look for places with a pool or a hot tub. Thank me later. The Last Few Things To Keep In Mind Before Visiting Chile Chile’s not just another check on your wine passport. You’re standing with snow-capped Andes in the background, sipping a glass that could’ve been impossible anywhere else, and finishing your last meal by the ocean.  Mix in a little culture, art, and memories you can’t fit in a suitcase, and well, that’s what makes Chile a story you can drink. 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