Lava Flow Trail

About Lava Flow Trail

In the Table Top Wilderness within the Sonoran Desert National Monument, the Lava Flow Trail offers a hiking opportunity of light to moderate difficulty in a varied and dramatic Sonoran Desert landscape.Three trailheads are linked by a relatively level 7.25-mile trail.From south to north, the trail meanders through dense forests of saguaro, paloverde, ironwood, and cholla; skirts the jumbled basaltic slopes of Black Mountain; traverses an extensive creosote-bush flat; and crosses several large washes.Lava Flow Trail provides sweeping views of Vekol Valley and the Sand Tank Mountains to the west, while flat-topped Table Top Mountain — highest point in the Table Top Wilderness — looms to the east.Only hiking and equestrian use is allowed on the trail in wilderness under the Wilderness Act of 1964. Motorized vehicles and mountain bikes are prohibited in wilderness. Motorized and mechanized vehicles, including bicycles, must remain on existing access routes.Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.Road conditions to the wilderness vary with high-clearance and four-wheel-drive vehicle requirements. Roads are primitive and not maintained. Have a full tank of gas, full-size spare tires, a vehicle tool kit, and first aid kit. The main access routes and washes are prone to heavy seasonal rains and flash floods. Do not cross flooding streams or washes!Hours and SeasonsTrail can be used year-round; however, it is recommended for use from November through April. At other times of the year, the trail is seldom used due to high temperatures. Summer temperatures may often reach 115 degrees. Wear a hat, long sleeve shirt, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Drink plen

How to Get There

Lava Flow Trail is accessed at three points. Exit Interstate 8 at the Vekol Valley Interchange (Exit 144) approximately 26 miles east of Gila Bend and 34 miles west of Casa Grande. A high-clearance vehicle is required to access Lava Flow South Trailhead. Four-wheel drive is required to access Lava Flow North and West trailheads. To access Lava Flow West and South trailheads, travel south on Vekol Valley Road (BLM Route 8007) 2.1 miles to the Vekol Ranch turnoff. An information kiosk will be on your right. For the West trailhead, continue south on Route 8007 for 5.7 miles. Turn left on BLM Route 8046 and travel 2 miles to the trailhead. For the South trailhead, continue for 8.7 miles south from the kiosk to BLM Route 8024. Turn left onto Route 8024 and travel 3.7 miles to the trailhead. To access Lava Flow North Trailhead, travel south on Vekol Valley Road 0.7 miles from Interstate 8 and turn east onto BLM Route 8043. Continue east 2.8 miles to Route 8042. Turn right and drive 2.3 miles, keep left to stay on Route 8042, and continue 3.3 miles to the trailhead.

Plan Your Visit to Lava Flow Trail

Heading to Lava Flow Trail? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)