Candlelight Cave Tour - Not Available 2021
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve Tours
Cave Tours are closed due to COVID-19. Tours will start based on current Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as state and local public health authorities, and Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as possible! Alternative ranger programs will be announced soon. Meanwhile, all surface areas are open for you to enjoy!
Experience Oregon Caves lit only by the flicker of candle lanterns on this adventurous ranger-guided cave tour! Discover what early explorers of the cave might have experienced as they traveled through the dark passages of the cave. Hear the stories of early exploration and marvel at the caves geology by the glow of your lantern. Children must be a minimum of 10 years of age and be accompanied by an adult for this tour. Available Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day at 6:00 - the last tour of the day. Call ahead or stop by the Illinois Valley Visitor Center in Cave Junction for same-day availability.
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- Drive Time and Directions:
The drive from Cave Junction to the Oregon Caves takes a minimum of 60 minutes. The last several miles are narrow, steep, and winding. Large RV's and Travel Trailers are not recommended. Carsickness is a real possibility.
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.
- 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. Allow at least 60 minutes' drive time from Cave Junction to the Monument. NO REFUNDS for late arrivals. Parking lot check-in DOES NOT meet reservation check-in requirements.
- Age Requirement:
Children must be 10-years of age or above and accompanied by an adult to attend the Candlelight Tour. Child care is not available.
- Be Prepared:
The average cave temperature is 44 degrees (7 Celsius) year-round. Bring warm clothing and close toed shoes with good traction.
- Prohibited in the Cave:
Cameras, bags (including purses), food, drinks, gum, candy, flashlights, walking sticks, tripods, pets, and tobacco products. Lockers are available at the visitor center.
- Protect the Bats:
Do not wear clothes, shoes or other items worn or carried in another cave or mine. White-nose Syndrome is a fungus that kills 90-95% of bats it encounters. The fungus spreads with spores carried on clothes and other items. Washing detergents do not kill the spores. Wear nothing worn in another cave or mine!
- 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 not allowed 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 or Lodging:
The historic Oregon Caves Chateau is temporarily closed in 2020 for repairs and rehabilitation throughout the 2020 season. Pack a lunch or eat before you come.
