Discovery Tour
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve Tours
Explore and discover the Marble Halls of Oregon on this ranger guided tour of one of the most geologically complex and interesting caves in the country where you can discover the fascinating geology of the Siskiyou Mountains from the inside out. You will also learn about ice-age fossils found in the cave, endemic lifeforms found nowhere else, and more. Children must be at least 42 inches in height and accompanied by an adult to participate. Children cannot be carried and there are no childcare services available. This tour is available all season, from late March through early November.
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- Notice:
Tour schedules are subject to change at a moment’s notice. Weather, power-outages, and staff illness could cause tour cancellations or closures. Alerts during these unforeseen circumstances will be sent via text and email at our earliest ability.
- Cave Entry:
The Oregon Caves are not accessible without a guided tour. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. Limited same-day tickets are available for purchase first-come, first served at both of our visitor center locations.
- Claiming Tour Tickets:
All Ticket holders must check-in at the Oregon Caves visitor center desk no less than 30 minutes prior to the reserved tour time for a safety message. Late arrival can result in denied cave entry. Allow 60-90 minutes' drive time from Cave Junction to the Monument. NO REFUNDS for late arrivals. Parking lot check-in DOES NOT meet our reservation check-in requirements.
- Drive Time and Directions:
Construction Ahead! The drive from Cave Junction to the Oregon Caves takes a minimum of 60-90 minutes. The last several miles are narrow, steep, and winding. Large RV's and Travel Trailers are not recommended. Vehicles over 46' are prohibited. Car sickness is a common occurrence.
Please, DO NOT, trust Google Map, GPS devices and similar applications - from the east these direct you through Williams, Oregon and over a confusing route on mountainous gravel roads. Western travelers are promised an earlier arrival time than safely possible.
Maintain your lane. We understand the route is narrow and mountainous, but for your safety and everyone else traveling Hwy. 46, please, maintain your lane at all times.
- Children's Age & Height Requirement:
For their safety and yours, children must be a minimum height of 42 inches (107 cm) tall for the Discovery and Kids & Family Tours, and all children age 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult age 16 or older. Small children may not be carried, and childcare services are not available. No strollers or infant front/backpack carriers allowed in the cave. No exceptions. NO REFUNDS for children reserved that measure under 42 inches, or the adult that must remain with them.
- Inter-Agency Senior and Access Pass:
Visitors with America the Beautiful Senior and Access passes need to bring their cards and photo ID to the counter at check in. Discount only applies to the pass holder. Misapplied pass discounts will be charged at check in. Refunds are not available for unused passes.
- What to Wear:
Do not wear clothes, shoes or items worn or carried in another cave or mine. White-nose Syndrome kills bats. The fungus spreads with spores carried on clothes and other items. Washing detergents do not kill the spores. Wear warm clothing and shoes with good traction.
- Prohibited in the Cave:
- Bags,
- Food, drinks, gum or candy,
- Flashlights/headlamps,
- Walking sticks,
- Tripods or monopods,
- Pets,
- Tobacco or vape products.
Limited lockers are available at the visitor center for a refunded 0.25 cent fee. Cameras are permitted.
- Health Warning:
Visitors with known heart or respiratory problems, poor circulation or difficulty walking long distances and negotiating stairs, should carefully consider their limitations. Evacuation from the cave to a hospital for medical attention could take several hours.
The Cave is very narrow in some areas and not recommended for those with extreme claustrophobia.
- Accessibility:
Only the first room of the cave is wheelchair accessible. For safety reasons service animals are discouraged along most of the cave route, though at the owners discretion may be used to access the first room of the cave. With advanced notice, a ranger can be assigned to personally assist persons with sight impairments through the cave. Please see health warning. (For more information: www.nps.gov/orca/planyouvisit/accesibility)
- No Food Fuel or Lodging:
The historic Oregon Caves Chateau is closed for repairs and rehabilitation. Fuel up in Cave Junction. Pack a lunch or eat before you come. Ask our staff for local camping or lodging.
- Camping:
Cave Creek Campground is open for tent camping Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Sites are first-come, first-served and cost $10.00 per night. Sites cannot accommodate RVs or Travel Trailers.
- Service Animals:
Service animals are welcome in the visitor center and other areas where pets are traditionally prohibited. For safety reasons, service animals discouraged in the cave. This is for the safety of the handler, the animal, and other people on the tour. Guide Dogs for the Blind, Portland Campus, advised not to allow service animals into the cave because the animals become nervous or disoriented. Contact us and we will work with you to make the cave a safe, accessible, and enjoyable experience for everyone. For more information on service animals, please visit our accessibility page: https://www.nps.gov/orca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
- Pets in the park:
Please, there is little shade in the parking lot. If you have a pet be prepared! Pets must be on a leash and stay on paved roads when not in a vehicle. Pets are prohibited on trails, inside the cave, and in park facilities. Pets may be left unattended in vehicles, however, please be aware that if pets display signs of distress due to conditions such as hot weather, owners may be cited for endangering an animal. Whenever possible, please leave your pets at home, or look into nearby boarding options.
