• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
Jaunty Everywhere

Jaunty Everywhere

Travel + Lifestyle

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Jaunty
    • Meet Cheri
    • Meet Brittany
    • Meet Bailey
    • Privacy Policy and Disclosures
  • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Plan a Trip to Washington State
    • Plan a Trip to Oregon
    • Plan a Trip to Idaho
    • Plan a Trip to British Columbia
  • Travel Food
  • Outdoors
  • Travel Planning
You are here: Home / Destination / Plan Your Trip to Oregon Caves Monument 

Plan Your Trip to Oregon Caves Monument 

Make the most of Oregon Caves National Monument

When we went to the Southwest and toured Carlsbad Caverns, I added a new hobby to my list.

I love a cave tour.

Oregon Caves may not be as awe-inspiring as Carlsbad, but it has charms of its own.

See What is the Pacific Northwest {for travelers}

If you’re interested in the National Park Passports, check out all these fun ideas and products in the Amazon store…

National Park Passport Fun

3 things to do at Oregon Caves Monument 

One

Visitor Center

The park visitor center is housed in a historic 1924 chalet.

There are exhibits on local wildlife and cave ecology.

This is where you buy cave tour tickets or check in for advance reservations.

Illinois Valley Visitor Center in Cave Junction also offers videos, exhibits, and maps.

You are allowed to leave trailers parked here for the drive up the mountain.

cave formation at Oregon Caves National Monument

Two

Cave Tour

The caves are only open by ranger-led tours. Tours run from early spring through fall – weather dependent.

The main tour is called ‘Discovery Cave Tour’.

Special tours are set aside in the summer for families with children under 13. (They still have to meet the 42-inch height minimum.)

Candlelight tours are also an option.

ranger standing outside cave entrance at Oregon Caves National Monument

It’s about a 1/2 mile walk through the cave.

Beware that the passages are tight. You will need to crouch down in several places to squeeze through the passageways. There are 500 stairs and steep areas.

It is moderately demanding. All of the 40-70-year-olds on our tour managed just fine. The guide stops a lot to talk, so you can catch your breath.

a steep set of stairs in the Oregon Caves National Monument

Children must be 42 inches tall to enter the cave.

Oregon Caves National Monument Height Chart

For adventure, off-trail caving, visit this page.

We went in October with a reservation, but we didn’t need one and ended up getting into an earlier tour group.

In the summer, it’s recommended you make an advance reservation to avoid long wait times.

Three

Hiking

As you leave the cave tour, your guide will point out the Cliff Nature Trail trail that winds up the side of the hill for beautiful views of the Siskiyou Mountains.

hiking the cliff nature trail at Oregon Caves National Monument

Other hikes include The Big Tree Trail, which begins at the back of the chalet and winds 1.3 miles to “Big Tree” a Douglas Fir 41 ft in circumference. Continue on The Big Tree Trail, and it loops back to the chalet for a total of 3.3 miles.

Old Growth Trail connects the visitor center to the main parking lot – a pleasant 1-mile hike through old-growth forest and marble outcrops.

No Name Trail is a 1.3-mile (steep) trail through a thick forest – this trail features a covered bridge and two waterfalls. Pity they couldn’t think of a more creative name.

Cave Trail connects the Cave Creek Campground. It’s a 3.6-mile jaunt with a 1245-ft elevation gain. Eat your Wheaties!

Bigelow Lakes Trail is a 9.2-mile loop to Mt. Elijah and back – A gain of 2390 ft. This is a full-day hike.

Oregon Caves National Monument Hiking Trails Sign

Get an education at Oregon Caves Monument 

Learn the lingo

First stop: the park website.

Learn about the preserve – its history, culture, and nature with photos and multimedia.

Become a Junior Ranger.

cave formation at Oregon Caves National Monument

Know something about caves

Learn the basic cave formations before you go. Ruby Falls’s website has a simple, beautiful overview of cave formations.

The National Caves Association offers several lesson plans – intended for classroom use, homeschoolers and info-geeks will want to take a look.

cave formation at Oregon Caves National Monument

Civilian Conservation Corps

Learn about the depression era program President Roosevelt called the ‘Civilian Conservation Corps’

Many of our National Sites – or the historic buildings on them – have the Conservation Corps to thank.

Learning about this program and its impact will increase your appreciation for our National Parks System.

You can start with Wikipedia for a quick overview.

Or check out ‘Our Mark on This Land: A Guide to the Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in America’s Parks

Everything you need to know about visiting Oregon Caves Monument 

Where is the Oregon Caves National Monument?

The park is 20 miles southeast of Cave Junction, OR.

76 miles from Crescent City, CA, and 50 miles from Grants Pass, OR.

The road leading to the park is narrow and winding. Give yourself plenty of time.

Directions

Destination:Distance:
Cave Junction18 miles
Redwoods National Park63 miles
Brookings, OR87 miles
Ashland, OR89 miles
Eugene, OR187 miles
Portland, OR292 miles
Sacramento, CA384 miles
Seattle, WA466 miles
Distance from Oregon Caves National Monument
Mountain view of the Siskiyous at Oregon Caves National Monument

Getting to Oregon Caves National Monument

When is the best time to visit the Oregon Caves NM?

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

Cave tours run from early spring to fall. The caves are closed in winter to allow the bats to hibernate.

The surface areas of the park are open year-round.

Cost of admission at the Oregon Caves Monument

Cave tours are $10 each.

Cost varies by age.

Accessibility at the Oregon Caves

This is not the most friendly place for people with mobility challenges.

Check the website to see how your specific situation is accommodated.

They do seem willing to do everything possible to assist – so it wouldn’t hurt to call and ask questions.

How many days do you need at Oregon Caves National Monument?

A few hours is plenty. (Unless you plan to hike to Mt. Elijah)

We stopped by on our way from Ashland to Crescent City (aka The Redwoods)

Sign with suggestions for how to explore Oregon Caves National Monument

Other tips for the Oregon Caves:

No food or drink of any kind is allowed in the cave.

No canes, tripods, or flashlights.

What should I wear?

Dress warm – the caves maintain temperatures in the 40’s.

Important: Do not wear clothing, shoes, or other items that have been inside another cave. 

White-nose syndrome spreads between cave environments and hurts the bat population.

cave formation at Oregon Caves National Monument

Where to stay when visiting the Oregon Caves?

Inside the park:

Outside the park:

The Chateau is a 1930’s era building that usually offers guest rooms.

It is currently being remodeled and is expected to reopen in 2020.

Camping is allowed between late May and mid-September in a few area campgrounds.

Cave Junction is the closest town.

It is home to a unique lodging option – treehouses.

Out n’ About Treehouse Resort

Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise

This isn’t a budget option, but it’s something to write home about.

You can also stay in Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, Crater Lake, or Crescent City and make it home by evening.

cave formation at Oregon Caves National Monument

Where to eat?

Inside the park:

The Chateau serves food – when it is open. (Expected to reopen in 2020)

Food is available in nearby Cave Junction.

Best to bring your own provisions.

We packed a picnic and attempted to eat it next to the Chateau pond, the yellow jackets were crazy bad, sending us running for the sanctuary of our car. So much for communing with nature.

Outside the park:

Jaunty Everywhere - Cheri Bywater - Author Stamp

Sidebar

Meet the Team

Find a Travel Deal

Legal Information

Jaunty Everywhere is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Jaunty Everywhere also participates in affiliate programs with CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Jaunty Everywhere is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

About Jaunty

Privacy

Sitemap

Join our Free Community

Follow on Social

  • YouTube
  • Patreon
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Resources

Enneagram and Travel

Learning Through Travel

Jaunty Guide to Travel Food

Road Tripping

Copyright © 2023 · Jaunty Everywhere · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme