Oregon Caves National Monument

What: Oregon Caves National Monument
When: March 2010
Where: This National Monument is along highway 199, between Crescent City, California and Grants Pass, Oregon. It's about 45 minutes off the highway, up a windy and narrow mountain.

We went in late March just after the monument opened for the season (it's closed Dec-March because of snow and hibernating bats in the cave!)

Kids must be at least 42 inches tall to go on a cave tour. Prices were $8.50 for adults, $6 for kids. It's free for 4 people with an America the Beautiful Annual Pass, which is $80 and definitely worth it! Just off Hwy 199 (there's a sign to tell you where to turn) is an information center. We stopped here and picked up park brochures. You can also measure children here to make sure they're tall enough before you drive all the way up the mountain!

We arrived about 12:30. You have to park and walk 900 yards to the buildings. You then buy tickets for a tour time. They depart at least 15 minutes apart. We had to wait about 90 minutes. There was plenty of waiting room in the Visitor Center. We got Junior Ranger booklets for the kids and that took some time. They also have videos playing in another room, which entertained my children for a long time.

Beware that you can't take any bag larger than a fanny pack through the cave. There are lockers available by the visitor center (take a quarter for a deposit!) Plan to be gone about 2 hours, 2.5 if you take the Cliff Nature Trail back (the longer way). Be sure to drink and snack before you leave!

The cave is cold, about 44 degrees, so wear a hoodie or jacket. (They did have jackets to borrow at the visitor center.) I had a t-shirt, sweatshirt and light jacket and was plenty warm. Gloves or mittens would be a great idea. And good shoes--it's wet and slippery. It's about .6 miles, but you have to stay with your ranger guide. Groups of up to 15 people go together. There are 504 stairs. If you get scared, claustrophic, sick, cold, etc. there is an exit about 1/3 of the way through, but you can't go back in.

You can bring your camera and use a flash inside. You can't touch the rocks.


How your tour goes depends on your ranger. Our tour had 8 kids and 8 adults, and the ranger still geared it to the adults. I felt like we were rushed from room to room and then had to stand around and listen to somewhat boring scientific facts. If I did it again, I'd hope to go more slowly and to have the ranger point out neat stuff you can see, like all the types of formations that the kids learn about in their Junior Ranger books! Moonmilk, cave popcorn, drapery rocks...
This is the Chalet. It was closed until May.
There is a nice Jr Ranger program here. There are 3 different books for different ages, 6 & under, 7-10, and 11-??. They had to do 3 activities plus a tour, or a couple other options I can't remember. When finished they get a badge and a 15% off coupon for the visitor center store! Sweet!

Also, they have special badges if you hike a trail. There are 3 trails. The Cliff Nature Trail is the shortest. It really is a lovely area--next time maybe we'll camp and do more hiking. There is lodging at the chalet and there are 2 campgrounds in the forest/monument, although both were still closed at the end of March. The nearest town, Cave Junction, had lots of restaurants, gas stations, stores, etc.

I think the Caves are a perfect stop between the Redwoods and Crater Lake. Spend 3 days at the Redwoods in California, 1-2 days at the Oregon Caves, and 2-3 days at Crater Lake. Perfect vacation!!!