What an amazing experience!!! We planned some time around the beds, but really we didn't plan enough time. There are quite a few caves to explore, some much more dark and deep than others. If youre into some deep cave exploration, this place is quite an adventure.
We started out by doing the cave closest to the visitors center, just to get a feel for what was ahead. Truth is, even this small starting experience, didn't tell enough of the story. There are huge cave systems throughout the park. Each spot is labeled well by the park but the names can be somewhat deceiving.
My favorite was the Valentine cave, it was a super deep, enormous lava tube cave. Much different than the others. Most of the cave systems have multiple entry points, or at least viewpoints (if its not a cave, more of a feature), whereas the Valentine cave just keeps going. My son and I never found the end, the cave got too tight, some blasted or fallen rock barred our further exploration and I worried about cave dust as I saw quite a bit kicked up in our flashlight.
We went in late July, so the temps were up there. Be sure to bring a really, really good flashlight. We brought some headlamps and some cheapie lights but they really weren't enough. The visitor center will lend you gear, including hard hats and flashlights but they need to be returned before the visitor center closes, cutting your adventures short.
Be sure to hydrate, bring snacks. The visitor center has a great spread of liquids, snacks, tools and gear, in case you forget something. They are just at a premium as its at the park, and there isn't a store within miles.
My wife (47) and I (48), brought our two youngest boys (5 & 12). My youngest has some eloping issues, so there were some caves that got a little scary for us, but the guides at the visitor center were absolutely amazing in directing us where to go, that was neuro friendly. I didn't catch their name, but the guide with the tattoos and piercings was super fun, had a great personality and was extraordinarily helpful. My kids both loved them.
The skull cave was super cool, the skull is down there, cased in plexiglass. No human remains exist there now. The handrailings were freezing cold, making it hard to hold them the entire descent. This was the scariest for us with the little one as there are some pretty steep steps there and a fall would not be good. The last leg of the cave is in fact very cold. Its quite refreshing from the other caves and the rest of the park buts a drive up to the top of the park compared to the others in the loop. Definitely worth it IMO.
Sentinel cave was another really cool cave system. Recommended to park at the lower entrance and go through that way, so you only have to walk down hill, back to your vehicle. The entire cave is fairly well lit, with some exposed light ceilings. Its a great walk through an open featured cave system, with only a spot or two of staircases.
If you have gear, and aren't afraid to get dirty, there's some pretty cool systems to go explore. There were a lot of spots we couldn't really go because we were either under geared, or someone in our party couldn't manage the difficulty.
The park is strict on using gear that has been in different caves, so be sure to clean your gear thoroughly. They are protecting some bat species that are in danger because of introductions of invasive fungus. More than half if our introduction to the cave systems were about the protection of these bats.
All in all, we had a blast. It was a long day and the kids were exhausted after. Mission accomplished. Happy...
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