Golden Dome Cave

The Golden Dome Cave is an amazing cave to visit in Lava Beds National Monument. Is has some of the most colorful features of all the caves with sparking gold minerals on the walls and ceilings of the caves. Highly recommend.

Wonderful sight. At the start of the cave you can see "veins" of the golden hydrophobic bacteria, where once you get to the dome the ceiling is covered when it. Well worth going in. Make sure to get your permit at the visitor center before going in.

It was amazing to see the cave system on a self-guided tour. My favorite one was the golden dome and Hopkins chocolate. Some caves you are able to walk around easily others you will have to crab walk or low crawl. At The visitor center you're able to get a light on loan.

This was the first cave we visited in Lava Beds and it was a great introduction. Be aware that the ceiling in this cave gets low and requires you to stoop at times (watch your head as the ceiling is sharp in places). The golden color on the dome is really amazing when you get there.

This one is a favorite with beautiful ceilings and fun areas to explore. There’s a section where you can practice your belly crawl if you so choose. It connects back with the main path (so great for practice).

A beautiful golden bacteria covers the ceiling, and when your light shines on them, they glow like glitter.

Found out why they call it Golden Dome! The gold is actually a bacteria that looks like gold flakes. The kids did awesome in this pitch black cave. Just had to remind them to be brave!

I go to these caves every year. Don't be fooled though, just because some of the caves are very easy there are some serious caves for enthusiasts here. Bring a headlamp, gloves, and if you wanna get real serious: kneepads, a hard hat, and a camelbak!

Golden dome from the bacteria, cool lava tube. Bring flashlight or borrow one from the visitors center

Fun Cave to explore with lots of golden and green bacteria covered walls. It is a loop so it can be a little bit tricky getting out but if you get lost just keep turning the same direction and you will get out :)

A beginner's cave compared to some of the others but definitely worth a visit. It's in the shape of a lollipop so no real concern of getting lost (but still remember the way you came!) Also make sure you bring a helmet as you will need to crawl through some of the areas l.

Great, was tight but we made it.

We loved seeing the gold on the ceiling. This felt like a natural cave in it's natural form. Bring flashlights!

I love this cave. It's fairly extensive and features some beautiful golden bacteria on the ceiling, which light up like glitter when you shine your light on them. There are multiple large rooms inside, as well as different passages that all connect. There are only a few sections that require ducking, but a helmet is definitely a good idea.

I especially liked the difficult section that connects it to the Hopkins cave area. This section requires crawling on sharp jagged pieces of lava, then crawling out of a tight entrance, so it's not for everyone. If you do this section, a helmet is mandatory, and you should bring extra gear, especially knee pads and gloves.

Great cave. When you get down the ladder if you go the direction the ladder opens towards you will get to the golden dome. Lots of golden bacteria in the ceilings and the floors are smoother. If you go the other way stay to the edges to avoid the rough lava. You will see a small smooth opening on right side after a bit. This connects back to the main passage if you decide to crawl in your belly about 20 feet. Fun experience for kids but watch your head.

Well, if it wasn't for my compass I would have stayed extra lost but after a 2nd go I figured it out. I'll buy the book with detailed maps tomorrow. The gorgeous bacteria is green and glistens. Truly a fun cave I was glad I wore knee pads amd wrist guards for (skateboarding gear). I did this alone and got back to the ladder in 30 ish minutes.

Golden dome cave was amazing to see the golden ceiling. It was not as lond as I'd hoped though, but the golden view made up for it. Its not actually the color gold though, but a trick of the light. The ceiling, where it's colored, is actually a yellowish green moss that collects dew in droplets so when you shine a light it reflects and seems gold.

All of the caves in Lava Beds National Monument deserve 5 stars, and Golden Dome is no different. The gold on the ceilings, hence the name, is truly remarkable. The contrast of gold with other colors is quite astonishing.

Bring flash light and helmet!! It is pitch black inside. Not easy walk/hike due to the very uneven ground. Very cool, but be careful.

This whole place is incredible. It is a little out of the way to get there, but exploring the caves is awesome. It is also a little creepy, especially if you are in some of those caves alone.