Tucked in Oregon's southwest corner near the town of Cave Junction, about 15 miles from the California border, the 488-acre Oregon Caves National Monument features a marble cavern system decorated with natural mineral sculptures including helicites, draperies, and soda straws.
Discovered in 1874, the Oregon Caves are a three-and-a-half-mile winding tunnel of caverns set deep in the heavily wooded Siskiyou National Forest. Pleistocene-aged jaguar and grizzly bear fossils have recently been found in some of the deeper chambers of the cave system. Besides the cavern system, the monument also includes old-growth coniferous forest and a historic lodge.
Although the caves are only accessible spring through fall, the monument is open year-round and includes several trails through the old-growth forest. The aptly named Big Tree Trail traverses beautiful mountain meadows to pass the Douglas fir tree with the widest known girth in Oregon. Trails wind in and out of the monument, and some connect with the Pacific Crest Trail.
Oregon Caves National Monument is located in southwest Oregon. To learn more about the area, please select a topic of interest from the navigation bar on the left.
Entrance Fees
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve has no entrance fee, but there is a cave tour fee.
Discovery Cave Tour
$10 - Adults (ages 16 and over)
$7 - Juniors (ages 15 and under)
Candlelight Tours (Summer schedule)
$10 per person (ages 12 and over only)
Off-Trail Caving Tours (Summer schedule - partial)
$45 per person (ages 15 and over only)
You must reserve a tour in advance and space is limited to 8 per tour.
Please Note:
- Interagency Annual Pass - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass does not apply to cave tours.
- Interagency Annual Pass for Active Duty US Military does not apply to cave tours.
- Interagency Senior Pass or America the Beautiful Access Pass, Golden Age Passport and Golden Access Passport allows only the cardholder to receive a 50% discount on regular priced tours (does not apply towards Off-trail or Candlelight tours).
- Golden Access and Golden Age Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass.
As a reminder, tour size is limited to 15 people. Early arrival is recommended.