Hurry up and visit Boulder Cave because it will be closed for the summer beginning July 7.

Officials with the Naches Ranger District say they will be using a Federal Highways grant to refurbish the popular hiking and picnic area on Chinook Pass. The plans are to install a new water system, new benches on the river trail and new bathrooms. The picnic area will also see new tables and the parking lot will be reorganized for more parking spaces.

After July 7 no vehicles or foot traffic will be allowed at the site.

On a busy visitor weekend hundreds of people frequent Boulder Cave. Visitors can make a short hike up to the cave created by cooled lava forming layers of basalt and sediment. Hikers can walk all the way through the cave provided they have a bright flashlight or headlamp.

The Naches Ranger District will reopen the Boulder Cave Day Use Site in April 2015. When the site is reopened, visitors can continue to either pay the $5 day fee or have a Northwest Forest Pass.

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