Caves

Bower Cave

Lava tube near Mammoth Cave, with ladder entry and bat habitat

At a glance

Elevation: 8,250 ft · Lava tube
Drive time: ~15 min from the inn

At a glance

The short version

Bower Cave is ~15 min from Duck Creek Village Inn and fits travelers who want lava tube near mammoth cave, with ladder entry and bat habitat. Bower Cave (also spelled Bowers Cave) is a lava tube in Dixie National Forest near Mammoth Cave, often visited on the same trip.

Quick facts

Distance	~15 min
Tier	Tier1
Best for	Lava tube near Mammoth Cave, with ladder entry and bat habitat

Good to know

~948 feet of passage; same volcanic system as Mammoth Cave
Ladder entry (~12–15 ft); bottom rung may be missing
Home to seven bat species, including Townsend's big-eared bats and fringed myotis

Bower Cave (also spelled Bowers Cave) is a lava tube in Dixie National Forest near Mammoth Cave, often visited on the same trip. It has about 948 feet of mapped passage with a round tube shape and fairly high ceilings in most places. Entry is through a small hole in the ground: you descend a fixed ladder of about 12–15 feet (the bottom rung is often missing, so use caution). Inside, the cave is dark, cool, and wet—the floor is rough and muddy, especially farther back.

The drive from the inn

Forest roads are where people get lost on the way to a cave, so every turn below is a numbered pin on the map. Tap a line to see what that stretch of road is like.

Highway 14 east 1.2 miles, left on Mammoth Creek Road (FR-067), 2.8 miles, then right onto a small unsigned dirt spur for the last 0.6 mile. Under five miles total.

Paved
Rough dirt

4.7 miles from the inn, 0.6 of them unpaved. About 15 minutes. Route traced from OpenStreetMap road geometry rather than sketched; leg distances match the Forest Service’s own directions.

Duck Creek Village Inn
Head east on Highway 14 for 1.2 miles.
Mammoth Creek Road (FR-067)
Left at the signed junction. Same turn as Mammoth Cave; the two split later.
Right onto the dirt spur
2.8 miles up from Highway 14. Small, unsigned, and easy to drive straight past. Low clearance is fine when it is dry.
Parking
The track widens into a pullout. Walk the last stretch to the hole.
Bower Cave
A hole in the ground at 8,250 ft with a fixed steel ladder, 12 to 15 feet down. The bottom rung is often missing.

Coordinates37.55546, -112.62816Elevation8,250 ft

Highlights

~948 feet of passage; same volcanic system as Mammoth Cave
Ladder entry (~12–15 ft); bottom rung may be missing
Home to seven bat species, including Townsend's big-eared bats and fringed myotis
Parking and short walk from Mammoth Creek Road, ~2.7 miles from Highway 14

Tips

Wear old shoes that can get muddy and bring a flashlight. The ladder can be challenging; small children may need assistance. Seasonal bat closures can apply, especially in colder months.

When to go

Best planned from late spring through early fall. Seasonal bat closures can apply from October through April. Same general area as Mammoth Cave—pair the two for a full caving morning.

When you can actually go
Cave	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Bower CaveSame seasonal bat closure as Mammoth Cave, October 1 through April 30. The dirt spur turns to mud early in the season.	January: Closed	February: Closed	March: Closed	April: Closed	May: Open	June: Best	July: Best	August: Best	September: Best	October: Closed	November: Closed	December: Closed

Best
Open
Depends
Closed

Stay planning

Once this stop is on your list, use Plan Your Days for itinerary ideas or compare our rooms and cabins to match the style of trip you want.

May 2026

Why trust this guide

Cave access, forest roads, and shoulder-season weather can change faster than people expect around Duck Creek. We use guest trip-planning experience here, but always recommend checking the official sources below before you commit to the drive.

Questions: Bower Cave

Cave basics, driving distance, and what to know before you go.

What is Bower Cave?

Bower Cave (also spelled Bowers Cave) is a lava tube in Dixie National Forest near Mammoth Cave, often visited on the same trip.

How far is Bower Cave from Duck Creek Village Inn?

Bower Cave is about ~15 min from Duck Creek Village Inn in the current cave guide.

What should I know before visiting Bower Cave?

Seasonal bat closures can affect access. Ladder entry required; not suitable for everyone.

Go up one level

Start from the cave hub if you want the broader set of lava tubes and cave stops before picking one route.

Caves

Cave and lava-tube guides near Duck Creek and across southern Utah.

See cave

Related stops

Sideways links to other caves and nearby stops that match this kind of adventure.

Mammoth Cave

One of Utah's largest lava tubes, closed October 1 to April 30 for hibernating bats

See cave

Duck Creek Ice Cave

A classic cold-trap ice cave with one chamber that holds ice into summer

See cave

Belly of the Dragon

Man-made drainage tunnel: a short, quirky walk under Highway 89

See cave

Next steps

These next-step guides help you connect a cave stop to a bigger Duck Creek or park day.

Choose your stay

Keep the planning moving with room, cabin, and comparison options that fit the pace of the trip.

Rooms

Boutique hotel rooms with breakfast included, air conditioning, and simpler park-focused stays.

See rooms

Cabins

Cabins for longer stays, extra space, kitchens, and select pet-friendly trips.

See cabins

Stay Here, Explore Bower Cave Tomorrow

Book your room or cabin at Duck Creek Village Inn - ~15 min from Bower Cave.

Book Direct Rooms Cabins

Call Us · 435-990-5488