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Malpais Loop
Flagstaff,
Arizona
(Coconino County)
Last Updated:
05/28/2023
Trail Information
Highlights
Malpai Loop is a very popular forest road that winds its way to the famous Lava Cave. The stunning views of Flagstaff’s lesser peaks like Wing Mountain and Kendrick and abundant camping also make this route very popular. There are many hundreds of good forest campsites, most of which are suitable for large RV’s. The Lava Cave is a difficult but manageable one-mile hike down under the pine forests. It is cold in the cave so bring a jacket! This road is also your primary access to various hikes up Kendrick, Wild Bill, and Wing Mountains.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
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Ben Ruddell
Official Crew
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Trail Reviews
Open
Rated
4/5
Visited: 05/28/2023
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Open as of Memorial Day weekend 2023. Muddier than usual, but fine for cars and trailers for the most part.
Temporary Closure
Visited: 06/23/2022
Road closed as of 6/23/2022 related to pipeline fire.
Open
Visited: 06/09/2021
The trail/road is open and had active camping along it. Got to point out that it is really, really dusty for most of the trail. However, the real prize for this trail is the Lava River Tube that is well worth visiting. Google "Flagstaff Lava Tube" for more info. We spent almost two hours in the tube and really enjoyed it. It's cold, but don't wear a winter coat ... like I did for a few hundred feet before it became too warm. A sweat shirt will be warm enough ... you'll keep warm hiking along the tube.
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Open
Rated
4/5
Visited: 06/28/2020
Open, dry, busy with campers. A statewide fire ban is in effect.
Open
Rated
4/5
Visited: 05/31/2020
Nice easy trail. Most any car can do this. Several spots for dispersed camping.
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