Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve

Absolutely amazing experience! The caves are surreal with twisting marble formations, hidden chambers, and fascinating geology. The park rangers were incredibly knowledgeable and brought the whole underground journey to life with their passion and storytelling. The drive to the monument is stunning, winding through lush forested hills. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, but 100% worth it even if you're coming from hours away. Pro tip: Arrive early! The visitor center opens at 8:30 AM, but you’ll want to be there by 7:45 AM to get in line for tour tickets. Tours are limited and often sell out fast, especially in summer. If you’re in southern Oregon, don’t skip this. It’s a true hidden gem and a perfect mix of nature, science, and awe.

2025.06.07 ~07:00 "squeezed" a ramble of "Big Tree Trail, and Cliff Nature Trail" Loop (before going for the 10:00 Caves tour). Except for an old blowdown obstruction on The Big Trail (though passable), the trails were generally, in good condition. Saw 2 other person on-the-trails. The "Big Tree" was impressive 👍 And scenic views of the woods, cliffs and (faraway) mountains. Also, had lots of peace and quiet .. my favorite sweet solitude.

Ranger Evan was an amazing tour guide! I would highly recommend making a tour reservation before heading out to secure your spot. Ranger Evan expertly guided us through the caves twists and turns. We learned so much.

Definitely not for everyone. You need to be able to climb steep steps and squeeze through a few tight spaces. Overall a very fun and interesting experience. Also, lots of bugs and animals, plus a gorgeous view near the cave exit.

There's not really a wait to enter as you have to pre order tours and then you just show up a bit before that time. The tour was awesome and had lots of good details. The group was large (I think 10 people) so it was pretty difficult to see, take pictures, hear the guide, and look around all while trying to keep moving in essentially a single file line. Nothing unusual for a cave tour though. The experience was excellent, highly recommend. The grounds were beautiful and scenic. We did a few hikes while there too. Hopefully the lodge will get restored soon, would be fun to stay the night there.

Very cool cave tours. Old historic buildings. The road to the caves is narrow and winding, but paved, so that's a plus.

Just getting here is an experience! The cave is excellent! It's not an easy trek through the cave. You must be able to climb steep ladders up and down and be able to duck down while walking. It is however a natural wonder and worth the trip. We also hiked to the summit afterwards. True spelunkers can obtain a permit and trek other caves or take a guided tour.

Just a big hole in a big hill. Lol! Came here two weeks ago. It's one of the coldest caves we've been to. Although I wore a heavy duty jacket, a beanie and a pair of gloves would have helped. Some areas are a bit steep and dark, so just watch your step. It was fun maneuvering around. We saw some bats. For those who love and appreciate the formation of caves, you'll enjoy this one, too. Hannah did a great job with the information she provided us. Would recommend buying your tickets online so you don't drive all the way out there and the tours are sold out. We were surprised how many people drive all the way out there. So yes, get your tickets beforehand. The lodge is under renovation. Really interesting to see what the inside will look like when it's done.

The caves are gorgeous and stunningly curated. The history is vast and the tour is so worth it. They've taken a hit during the recent flavor of our government like every other park but they're fighting like hell to keep going so support them! Our tour guide was Ranger John and he does the best Smeagol I'll ever hear in a cave. Bailey was a Rockstar with our last minute reservation booking and help securing a campsite down the road. I hope the chateau opens again someday but it's so beautiful it's worth the drive even if you don't stay. Gift shop and information center makes the kids happy, bathrooms and trails are fantastically maintained, parking is ample. Go early, stay for hours

Such a fantastic at the Oregon caves national monument. you can reserve tickets online or you can go to the Illinois Valley visitor center and purchase them there. We had a group of six and got there at 8:30 to buy tickets. An our tour was not until 1230. Luckily there's a lot to do around the caves we hiked around for a bit. They have a great learning/visit our center up there also you can easily make a day out of being there. Highly recommend.

September 27, 2024 We stopped at the Illinois Valley Visitor Center in Cave Junction first before heading to the cave. We wanted to secure our tickets for the cave tour before the long drive up the mountain. The drive takes about 45 minutes, and then there is a 10-15 minute walk to the cave visitor center from the parking lot. Tickets were $10 each, with an option to donate $ to a bat conservation fund. We arrived at the visitor center about 15 minutes before our 11:30 am tour, so that gave us time to check out the exhibits in the visitor center. I especially liked the "who's bones are these" exhibit. The tour started promptly at 11:30. We were very fortunate to have Kelly Cave (yes, that's her real name) as our tour guide. It was a small group, just us and one other couple. Kelly was a great guide, pointing out all the wonderful formations in the cave, and making sure we stayed safe through the tight spaces. The tour took about an hour and a half, and we enjoyed every moment. After the tour, we hiked the 3/4 mile nature trail outside of the cave, which was very nice. Note: Make sure you dress warmly for the cave tour, the temperature inside the cave is about 44 degrees. No purses, backpacks, bags, etc. allowed.

Oregon Caves National Monument, OR - September 27, 2024 We drove up to caves on a Friday morning while we staying in the area. We actually bought our tickets in Cave Junction at the visitor center there. It's $10 per person. It takes about 45 minutes to drive up to the caves from Cave Junction. They were doing a little roadwork on the way up there so we did get stopped for a short while. Our tickets were for the 11:30 AM tour. They have a nice visitor center and museum once you get up to the caves. You can also buy your ticket when you get to the caves, which may not be a bad idea if you're not sure you can make it there in time for the next tour. They were doing tours about every half hour when we were there; however, when it's busier, they'll do tours every 15 minutes. We were fortunate in that there were only two other people in our tour. During the busy season of year, from about the end of June to the beginning of September, tour groups can get fairly large, up to about 12 or 14 people. Our tour guide's name was Kelly Cave. How appropriate is that? She was born for the job. Kelly was a terrific tour guide. She led us along the approximately 1 mile tour that included 540 steps of climbing. There are some tight spots along the way so you have to be able to do what they call a duck walk with your hands on your knees, trying not to hit your head or shoulders. They have some fantastic formations inside of the cave. We also saw a couple bats hanging from the ceiling. Definitely worth doing if you're in the area.

This place was awesome! I expensive walking tour through caves! We took the last tour of the day with Rob and he was a blast! After yo ur finished with the tour head up to the peak of the mountain for an unbelievable view!!

This place was really awesome! Well worth the visit! My boyfriend forgot to book tickets ahead of time online and we were told to show up right when they upon asks to bring all of party to get the tickets. We did and we got in a tour for all of us. It was a pretty amazing cave. We saw one bat and a salamander as well. The rangers were very friendly and seem to all love their job! They have a pretty cool gift store as well. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

So much fun whether you are by yourself or with the family. You get there and there is a large parking area, but if you keep driving forward you can get closer parking but it's limited. There are so many hikes to do around the caves, but inside the caves is fun. Awesome history.

We arrived after the hours of cave tours but the guides we so kind to still show us what they could even though we couldn't actually take us down in the cave. It was very kind as we had driven many hours and just barely missed clos

The main issue was the staff. I don't know if they are unhappy with their jobs or just a bad day but could not have been more unhelpful or dismissive. Maybe some customer service training? I've never seen blaming a customer as a good solution for a service problem especially when there are little kids involved

For most people, it is rare to have contact with a cave. This is an excellent marble cave! You can begin your experience at the Chateau that has a river running through it from the cave. Unlike other national park sites, you will want to come prepared to this one. Keep in mind that any cave will be cold. Be sure to bring layers to stay warm. It is also possible that the cave will be wet so be sure to wear sneakers to help you from slipping. For those hoping to see bats, your best chance will be in the winter months. The first tour option is your typical 90 minutes exploration of the cave with a guide. If you have claustrophobia then be aware that there will be darkness and tight squeezes throughout. In fact, it is a real connection to nature to be in a spot of total darkness! Furthermore, make sure you are in good shape not only to squeeze through, but to ascend and descend numerous stairs. A second tour option is to go on an off trail tour. You'll quickly realize this is a serious endeavor as you sign your life away and are given gloves, elbow and knee pads, and a helmet. Again, you'll want to wear warm clothes and proper shoes. A camera attached to your helmet would be advised to free up both of your hands. You'll go home with excellent photos and many bruises.

This was my first cave tour. It costs $10 for adults. Leave your bags in the car or you'll have to store them in a locker for a refundable $.25. It's chilly in the caves but if you come without your own, they have a limited amount of jackets to borrow in kid and adult sizes. The ranger who led our tour was Matthew. He was funny and knowledgeable. I tripped out on being in complete darkness when he turned off the light. You can't even see your own hand when held in front of your face. Watch out for wildlife crossing the road on the drive up. We had to brake a couple of times for what appeared to be wild turkeys.

We had a great tour with Brie today. She was the most energetic, educated park guide we could of asked for. She knew everything about the cave and we had a great time on our tour.

Bring a coat! So many neat facts you find out about our earth and the region when visiting this cave. I have gone many times and each time I learn something new. Beautiful drive up the mountain to the caves, parking can get a bit hairy during the peak of summer. Tons of trails to explore if you're not into the cave exploring. There is also a neat gift shop in the Chateau just across the walk way, and a delicious restaurant (dinner) and an old diner for the early morning fare and quick lunch bites.

What can I say? I love caves. I would never want to go without a guide for fear of getting lost in pitch black darkness, but they are so fun and unique. Having been to a few, this is probably my favorite in terms of geology and variety of formations in addition to the Styx river flowing below. I will say this is not the prettiest- if you want that- go to the fantasy and crystal caves in Bermuda. I loved all of the history as there were names in pencil coated over and wormlike markings from water flowing. The tour guide, Josh, was absolutely hilarious and well versed in the education of the cave, geology, and everything! I really learned a lot! Bring a coat as it's cold inside! The tour is about an hour and a half. Get there early if you are buying same day tickets and you will probably get on the first ones. Leave some time to explore the plethora of hiking trails as well and enjoy!

Ranger Neal was informative and very funny. He masks an intelligent mind in comedy. The caves are not as spectacular as Jewel or Wind Caves but this is formed differently and the differences make it interesting. The drive up is twisty. We missed the sign that said no RV's. However, you can drop your trailer at the campground a couple miles before the cave. There are 2 hairpin curves on the drive up...

This national monument is definitely worth the visit. It's well out in the boonies, but the drive through the wilderness is beautiful. We stayed at the Best Western Inn at the Rogue in Rogue River (excellent 3 star hotel). The two lane blacktop leading to the cave is well maintained and curvy in some places, similar to many backwoods places in Oregon. No big deal. Cave tours are about 90 minutes long, supposedly a one mile journey by foot, with 500 stair steps, according to what we were told. It seemed shorter and easier in all respects to me, so I guess that's a sign of pleasure. Our ranger guide, CJ, was kind, courteous, cheerful, funny and knowledgeable - outstanding in all regards for our tour group of twelve souls. My wife and her sister are claustrophobic, but they made it through just fine. You have to squat walk in a few places, and some spots are narrow, and some very, very steep, so consider your knee, back, weight and overall health before you attempt this fascinating journey. Kids must be at least 42" inches tall. Five stars and two thumbs up all the way and back again. We will return.

This place is awesome!!! When I was reading through the website, I was getting really excited about the idea of doing the Off-Trail Tour, but unfortunately I e-mailed the coordinator, and the tour operates on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:00pm June 22nd through August 31st for 2014. I had booked the hotel and was planning on coming up before that window, so I ended up just doing the normal tour. The website recommends coming 2 hours before your tour due to the tickets being sold first-come first-serve day-of, but I asked the waitresses at the Oregon Caves Chateau cafe about how busy it was, and they told me that there was usually a nice lull in between Memorial Day and when schools get out. As a result, my tour group at 10 AM on a Saturday only had 4 people (max is 15). Obviously read the website, and wear nice sturdy and comfortable shoes (no flip flops). It is REALLY COLD in the caves, so a warm jacket and a hat were nice to have. There is also some other valuable information you should read on the national parks site about making sure not to wear any clothes that you've worn in caves on the east coast (to prevent the spread of a bat disease), so be sure to do your research. It would definitely be unfortunate if you went all the way out there and only brought one pair of shoes that you couldn't wear. The tour was a full 90 minutes, and it was super cool. There were a number of "tight" squeezes and places where even I (5'1") had to duck. The inside of the caves that we saw on the normal tour was pretty extensive. I was surprised how much there was to see. There was also no back-tracking - we exited someone different from where we came in. Our tour guide, Lea, was great. She was very knowledgeable, nice, and you could tell that she really enjoyed sharing the caves with tourists. There were a lot of stairs and a lot of cool things to take pictures of. One of my favorite parts was our tour guide turning the lights completely off so that we could experience total darkness. We didn't get to see any bats due to the fact that in the summer, the only bats that are in the caves are usually sick; the rest of them are out and about. Ultimately, it's a neat cave. It's impressive. It's awe-inspiring. The normal tour price was very reasonable. There is a gift shop for you to get your National parks coloring books or t-shirts. When we exited the cave, there were two paths: one was a ~10 minute walk back to the entrance, and the other was a ~40 minute short hike to get back. We opted for the longer one (and the 40 minute estimate given by the tour guide was very generous). The only bummer was having to carry our jackets around when it was warm outside. There were also a few other hiking paths in the area that you can check out if that's your thing. There was an ~3 mile loop to a "Big Tree" that I would have done had we not been on a little bit of a timeline for the day. If you're thinking about visiting the caves, do it. I'd definitely consider coming back to do the off-trail tour, but unfortunately, I live about a 5 hour drive away, so it might not be for a while.

I've seen better caves but I tell yah, when it's 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside, there is no better refuge. The basic walking tour with a ranger is pretty interesting and lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes. It was so cool inside that I forgot how scorching the day had been. Lots of interesting facts abouts caves, terminology, history, and science. There's a very good coffee house that serves out of this world milkshakes too.

I was a cave virgin-until yesterday. Take that any way you want as they would both be true, but wow-what a great experience. We met up with the BF's parents, and brothers' family. Cave tours happen every 1/2 hour and cost $8.50 for adults, $6.00 for children. What a great tour. For 1.5 hours, you go in, up, down, around, and then some. Amazing-and I am so glad I got to see this place. The surrounding areas are gorgeous as well with lots of hiking trails and other stuff to see.

Recommendations on getting the best out of the Oregon Caves: ~ Go on a hot day! The 44 degrees inside is refreshing and delightful! ~ Bring pants and a sweatshirt. It's cold in there. They have restrooms where you can change, and lockers that return your quarter when you're done using them... well, at least mine did. ~ IF you camp at the Cave Creek Campground... and it IS beautiful... it doesn't say so from the campground, but just know that the 2 mile hike to the caves is 100% uphill, rising about 1200 feet, and it oddly dumps you out at the back of the Chateau. If you choose to carry water, you will be wise. Either way, after your uphill climb, the cool breeze coming out of the cave entrance will breathe sweet life back into your heated body, and the trip back down the trail will be pleasant indeed. ~ If you see someone walking around with ice cream on a cone, it did not come from the coffee shop. However, the coffee shop/soda fountain/diner does offer lovely waitresses, as well as milkshakes whose size indicate that they are definitely overcompensating for something. ~ For unknown reasons, there are two gift shops. I think one may be an interpretive center or something? But it's the one swarming with forest rangers you'll want to visit to get your tour ticket. ~ Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles. Be ready to climb up and down stairs. Watch your head. ~ Take the 3-hr off-trail tour and tell me how it is... I really wanted to try it!

A hollow voice says "Plugh". The cave adventure will last about 90 minutes and there will be 15 people joining you. We had good group of people - but I would prefer a smaller group. The tours are so popular, each are full and not everyone can enjoy the caves unless they get there early. Sofie and I went to Lehman Caves in Nevada last year. We enjoyed those caves more because they are much older than Oregon Caves and the tour groups are small because "it's a long drive". Oregon Caves is rather young but still very interesting. The cave paths are very well developed - connecting passages were blasted through the rock years ago so that it's a 90 minute walk instead of a 10 minute walk through one section. A good question to ask: "Would the park service allow the connecting tunnels to be made today if they were not there?" I doubt it... and I doubt there would be such interest without them. Here is what you will see: o Interesting cave formations from the drip of calcium saturated water o Bones of an ancient black bear (I forget how old) o Graffiti from the 1800's in impressive script - back when that sort of thing was "cool". o Photo of some people who thought it would be cute to get married in one of the large caverns o Some scary cave-ins with huge boulders. Some kid in the line thought he'd tie his shoe while I was standing under a boulder as big as a small house. Yeah, it's been up there for a few thousand years, but there is something inside me that says, "Of all the places around here to stand, this not the best place." o A spiral ladder that goes down into a deep hole that you get to descend. o Some cracks in the cave roof from earthquakes in the past The ranger will tell the history of the cave and things about the geology of the cave. He will also crack a few jokes and talk of the cave's significance as a national treasure; and indeed it is a treasure to be preserved and respected. I was in Yorkshire England area to visit a cave some years ago. It was the saddest display of a cave I'd ever seen! People had broken the formations, threw garbage in the displays. The people trying to preserve the cave put up chicken wire barriers to keep people from messing things up... but visitors threw trash over the barriers anyway. So, appreciate Oregon Caves while there are still no chicken wire fences set up. The tour ends with you being tossed out the door on the side of the mountain. It's a short walk back to the ranger station, or a 20 minute walk up and over the hill back to the ranger station. Sofie and I took the walk and were treated to a nice view, a beautiful trail and a deer hanging around the place. Plugh. http://www.plugh.com/

[[Off Trail caving tour review]] I can't believe there aren't any reviews for the Off-Trail tour. Upon reading about it on the Oregon Caves National Monument webpage http://www.nps.gov/orca/planyourvisit/off-trail-caving-tours.htm, I knew this was something I HAD to do on our PNW road trip! [Booking] I emailed the off-trail coordinator with my information two weeks before our desired caving tour date and within two days, received a response. Very quick turnaround and no deposit required to hold your spot. [The Drive] We did not encounter any traffic on the road and made it with plenty of time to relax and dive into our packed sandwiches before our 2PM tour. I highly recommend you allot some time to eat, hydrate, and rest. Plenty of physical activity ahead! [The Set Up] After processing paperwork and tour fee, we were given a quick welcome orientation and proceeded to outfit ourselves with the provided caving gear (helmets and headlamp, jumpsuits, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, and do-rags for your hair). It was a very impressive set-up to say the least. Be prepared with... Durable shoes (my white Asics running shoes were caked in mud after) Light, loose clothing (it's cold down there, but you'll be moving! t-shirt and jeans recommended) Camera (I had a tough time slipping my point-and-shoot into the jumpsuit breast pocket, but managed to make it work) [The Experience] Since this was the off-trail experience, we did not go through the normal tour route, which was unfortunate since this was our first time to the caves! Oh well...cooler things ahead. Our guides, Mel and Cedar, led us up and down rugged, dark, rocky terrain, using rope leads, belly crawl technique, and squeezing through tight spots. A little bit of rock climbing technique came in handy. I used the "mantling" technique quite a few times to steady myself. On our excursion, Mel pointed out everything from black bear bones to endemic springtails feasting on a cricket. We took plenty of breaks to check-in with the group, tell stories, ask questions, and hear facts about the cave's colorful history. We went with a particularly agile group and managed to complete the off-trail route faster than usual. We couldn't refuse Mel's offer/challenge to complete the route backwards! [Overall] At the end of it all, my boyfriend and I felt REALLY accomplished. Boy, it felt good to see sunlight again. Three hours of caving and we survived! Never have we ever done anything half as adventurous as this. The experience made our trip. We couldn't get enough so we signed up for the regular tour immediately after. Great tour, but not nearly as fun as getting down and dirty in the caves. No bats, rodents, or other creepy crawlies, plenty of mud, plenty of tight spaces, a few bruises on my shins here and there (only because I'm clumsy), one heck of an experience. Do it while you're young!!

OREGON CAVES NATIONAL MONUMENT needs to be understood in its context, namely, the fact that the State of Oregon provides attractions as dramatic as those found in California, but without the crowds and traffic. Focusing on southwestern Oregon, we find Crater Lake (as beautiful as Yosemite), Harris Beach State Park (with thousands of colorful starfish), Ashland (with Shakespeare festival), and Gold Beach (where you can watch whales from your motel room). Access to Oregon Caves requires a ten mile drive from Route 199 to the east into a wilderness area. The road is a winding road, and is not a straight thoroughfare. The caves are abundantly photogenic, as documented in part, by my two photographs. A ranger provides a little talk during the cave tour. What I recall, is the ranger's comment that once a bear had wandered into the cave and never found its way out (too bad). My only other experiences with caves was at Lake Shasta Caverns, at Lake Shasta, CA, and at Cave of the Mounds, in Wisconsin. We spent the night at the hotel located at Oregon Caves National Monument. According to the website for this hotel, "The Chateau at Oregon Caves is one of the National Park's Great Lodges, and a National Historic Landmark." The only thing I remember from this hotel, was that the wooden floors were charmingly squeaky. My "religion" is visiting America's national parks, for example, Death Valley, Crater Lake, Joshua Tree, Arches, Great Smoky Mountains, and Canyonlands, and so, it might be reasonable to say that my visit to, "Oregon Caves National Monument" was a religious experience.

Amazing, hidden gem. Make reservations in advance and allow time for the drive. If you have kids be sure to participate in the Jr. Ranger program. I've wanted to do the Oregon Caves for years, ever since a co-worker of mine mentioned it 17 years ago. We finally got the chance this summer y it didn't disappoint. The cave itself is very beautiful and my family found the tour very enjoyable. The 500 steps are easily doable for kids and the crouching is not a big deal. We've also done Wind Cave and Lewis and Clark Caverns. I found each to be unique in their beauty and well worth the time. Of note: You must not wear any clothes or shoes that have ever been in another cave.

This was really fun. Lots of stairs and crouching. I have done several cave tours and this one was the longest which was awesome. It is cold at 44 degrees so bring a jacket. Our guide was cool and knowledgeable. Lots of yellow jackets outside of the caves. The visitors center has jr ranger booklets for the kids and a small walkthrough exhibit.

Absolutly adore this place. Its so beautiful just walking around and doing the vrious hikes. But of clourse the Cave Tours are wonderful and i have been on at least 4. Good guides..mostly young but very good. The tours are 90 minutes and include many stairs and steps..and some bending. I m not in the best shape but i managed..though if i had a bad back or knee it would be out of the question. I also love the litle 1940s style diner next to the Chateau

Ok, let me just get this out of the way first--not the best caves for wondrous and magical formations. Done. Now, that that's out of the way... These caves are super cool with lots of steps and stairs and winding passageways to mostly smallish rooms and other interconnected levels (that you can see but not visit at least on the basic tour). It's cool because there's quite a distance you explore underground. The ranger led tour was informative both in history as well as geology. And we were there during record breaking temps in southern Oregon--it was 106 outside, and 47 inside--felt so nice! The cafe at the cool chalet just outside the caves served a solid breakfast, but the real thing to get there are the malts! Fantabulous!

Our family of 6 (including four young adults aged 17-21) had an absolute blast visiting the cave. We've been to the Lava Beds caves and to Shasta Caverns, and this was the best. Our guide Brett was fantastic. He moved us through the cave at a comfortable pace and patiently answered the many questions from our group. He had answers for everything! He was awesome. The cave is fascinating in the variety of features. Lighting is done perfectly, so important elements are gently emphasized, and the guides make sure to point out and explain the many, many wonders of the cave along with the science, stories, and history of the cave. It's all really fascinating. This was so worth the trip. As others have pointed out, it's a bit chilly in the caves. I saw people carrying knit hats and heavy coats on a 102 degree day. That looked like overkill. I'm cold all the time, and short sleeves, pants, and a light jacket was plenty for me. You're moving, climbing stairs, etc., so you keep warm enough. Speaking of which, this might be challenging for folks with mobility issues due to the amount of stooping, leaning (to avoid low ceilings in many places), and all the uneven steps. There are handrails in some places, but they encourage you to use a "hands on knees" approach to bracing yourself in other places since you can't touch the cave walls. You are not allowed to bring walking sticks, etc. into the cave. We thought about whether my mother in law might like to visit the cave, but I think it would have been hard for her. Some things to note: Due to covid and staffing issues, the booking process has changed, and it was enormously frustrating. There are limited spaces for tours, and they sell out every day. There is no way to purchase tickets in advance, and it's first come-first-served, so we planned a long trip to Cave Junction on the gamble we'd get a spot. The visitor center (in Cave Junction at a separate location than the cave) where you buy your tickets opens at 8:30, but we were warned to get there at least an hour early if we wanted tickets. We got there at 6:50 am to make sure we got the time we wanted. We were first in line (this was a Monday, I'm sure it's busier on the weekends). The next group showed up at 7:00. By 8:30 when it opened, my husband counted the people and said there were enough there to take just over half the tickets for the day. One plus about covid booking is that groups are limited to 8 (rather than the usual 15). Our family was actually the entire group, so we had the guide to ourselves which was great. In some places we stop, there's not much room. I can't imagine 15 people fitting. So we had a great experience with the smaller group size.

This is the best cave ive been in so far. I enjoyed our intormative and funny tour with Ranger Niel .

Me and my husband decided to take our 2 kids 8 and 5 to the caves for their tour, the guide was sweet and very informative, my kids had alot of fun even in cold and wet conditions just before entering the caves. We bought our tickets at the information center about 11 miles before the actual caves park and the lady was 100% responsible respectful and even told us we may not get there in time for our 12pm tour but we still stuck with the 12 instead of waiting for the 1 pm tour (anyone with kids this age knows not easy entertainment of them in a small area is not as easy as it sounds! We get there with 5 minutes to spare go to check in and the actual caves giftshop/tour check in......THEY SOLD OUR SPOTS!!!! we explained that no we paid for this time slot we made it with time to spare. We have those 4 spots reserved! The awesome ranger didn't have a problem adding us to the already 8 people for the tour making it a total of 13 ppl.... the lady who sold out tickets we tried to he respectful and thank her for her help and thats when she in my opinion was out of line and disrespectful with attitude told my husband with a snark you shouldn't be thanking me thank the ranger. I'm sorry but the only thing she should have said was I'm so sorry for the inconvenience or I'm so sorry I sold your tickets that you already paid for!!!! The people they sold our tickets to had one gentleman that was visually intoxicated reeked of alcohol and as we all got into our cars what did he leave behind? His empty beer cans in the parking lot!! How is that not a liability?

There is just something about caves that I find sooooo cool!! I came here with my family (kids 4 and 8) and we had a fun time. I only gave four stars because they only had one worker manning the cash register and it seemed to take forever to check in, even though I had already purchased my tickets online. The line was literally out the door. I think maybe some of the rangers (who were walking around, very friendly and informative) should be cross trained to keep that from happening... Anyway, the visitor center itself was great! They have an area for kids to explore, color and play. They have hiking paths around the area and a cute little waterfall. The kids tour was great, it was geared for children and kept them entertained. Mine got a little scared so we were able to leave early without a problem. When you park in the parking lot, make sure to visit the ranger under the tent and get your token. They will give you a token after you hear all their warnings and advisories. You will need a token to go on any of the tours.

We did the 90 min Discovery Tour! Shout out to Ranger Paul for his vast knowledge, extreme patience and lame dad jokes. The tour is really guided, not open for self-exploring. Check out some great hikes in the area too.. we liked Big Tree.

FRI/7/1/2022: Fuhgetaboutit. We saw we couldn't reserve tour tickets online and the website directed us to call ahead to 'reserve by phone', which we found out was also an impossibility. We called - twice. Informed by Kay (who answered the phone) that there was plenty of room for our party of 7. Just as were leaving GrantsPass, we made our second call and were told the same thing by Kay: plenty of room on the tours. Took us 70 minutes to drive there, and walk the quarter mile from the not-quite-half-full parking lot to the gift shop for tickets. In the gift shop we were informed they could accommodate only half of our 'large' party (of 7) and each half 'left behind' could hang out for 90 minutes in the '600saft gift shop' (absolutely NOTHING else to do there). We have lived in Grants Pass for five years and couldn't wait to take visiting family there for everyone's first time. With service like this, there will NEVER be a first time.

Oregon Caves National Monument is a fascinating place. It's a rare marble cave. The Caves Chateau nearby has a river running through it, literally, that flows from the cave. On the way to Oregon Caves, there's a giant caveman welcoming people to Cave Junction. It's tucked away in the Siskiyous. The Caves themselves have an interesting geological history. They were originally from beneath the Pacific Ocean. The caves are quite young. Oregon Caves is also home to Big Tree, which at 13 feet is the thickest Douglas Fir in the state. Oregon Caves is a delightful, beautiful place.

Toured the caves last Monday. WOW! Amazing. We've never done any type of cave tour and it was way above our expectations. We arrived in time for the last tour of the day, and it turned out that we were the only two people for the last tour. As we waited for our tour to begin, we watched the ground squirrels and a black tail deer wandered down to where we were waiting,...no complaints about waiting. So basically we got our own private tour from Ranger Joe. He made it fun and interesting. Lots of interesting facts. One of the few marble caves in the world, also a living cave (due to water flowing within it) and home to tiny bats. At the end of the tour you exit high above the entrance and can take a short path back to the base or a nice 30 minute hike over the top of the caves back to the base ( I recommend the 30 minute hike). Things to know,....it's cold take hoodie or jacket. You have to climb quite a few stairs cut into the cave as you continuously go uphill in the caves. Lots of switchbacks on the way there, so be prepared for mountain driving, and it's a bit of a drive from cave junction to the caves, so get gas and eat when your in cave junction. Well worth the trip.

What can you do for $8.50? a movie? No, you get to be an explorer or imagine you are one. Yes, the road into the National Monument is a windy road, but it is all worth the ride. You park, you walk towards the buildings, buy your tickets. You cannot carry any purses or any big fanny packs in there. Remember, some parts are a tight squeeze and they don't want you to touch the cave or anything else touching the sensitive formations. We got to the 12:00 tour. Remember to use the facilities, because it would probably be 1 hour 40 minutes getting back to the buildings. They do offer you a way out in the middle of the tour. After that, all the doors are literally locked. Our group had a total of 13 people, including the guide. The guide was great. She was enthusiastic and answered all questions. She's been giving 3rd grader tours during the week, so I think she's fine with grown-ups. Kids asked the most questions and they are so curious! She can get geologic on us, but she didn't. The whole path is cemented. There are lots of steps; they say 500? Maybe? You do have to have good lungs, because towards the end I feel a little breathing heavy. The tour before us, someone had to use oxygen, so they are ready for emergencies. I saw their stash of emergency suitcases. It's a good walk inside and I warmed up. Someone got married in the cave in the 1950's. How romantic. The Best part is climbing this steep ladder to the crowded top. Darkness is good too. When you exit the cave, you come out to this beautiful view, like you are at the top of the forest. There's this short trail that winds up to the top and it's even a better view. Maybe someone would propose there. Hint, hint. Stop by the nostalgic cafe with the wooden counter. Great apple pie! Honeymoon at the Chateau would be the best!

I'm not gonna lie- The idea of crawling through dark holes deep underground creeped me out. However, I was informed that there wasn't a lot of crawling involved-- just walking, ducking, climbing, and agreeing that I didn't have any limiting medical or physical conditions... or carrying other bat diseases. I could deal with that. My curiosity was piqued and it was only $8.50 for the 90-minute tour. It was a constant 40-ish degrees in there and I got a fairly decent workout.... they weren't kidding about the 500 stairs. Our tour guide, Matt, was wonderful and I had a lovely time pointing and snickering with my partner at all the oddly shaped calcite formations.

I'm so glad we were lead to this location as our first experience touring a cave. It was a perfect "first-time" experience. The Rangers are super friendly & knowledgeable. Apparently, bats can get diseases from spores we pass around if we've ever been in a cave before. Bats! What? I forgot that seeing one of those could be a possibility. Did I mention, I'm not a big fan of rodents & I'm definitely NOT a fan of flying rodents? :-D Well, anyway, push onward...I have a husby & 2 kids seeking adventures. Caves can get pretty cold, similar to touring a refrigerator so make sure you wear a sweater at least. There are so many various formations & interesting facts on how they were formed. The Ranger guides know all. If you have additional questions, they are more than happy to answer them. It can get physically strenuous..lots of climbing--stairs, slopes, etc. And the whole tour is about 90 minutes, but it's so interesting that I didn't even "feel" the length. There are several trails on the property so the fun doesn't end with the cave tour. It's so nature filled & truly beautiful. There is a gift shop & a quaint bar-seating family style restaurant. There really isn't any food for miles so the restaurant is pretty much the only choice for some grub....& it's good so that's okay. They have yummy desserts too! The drive up to this location is fairly long & winding so again, if you or any family members are prone to car sickness, make sure you "Dramamine" it up. (Can you tell I have experience with this?) And try to come early. They can (& do) sell out...on the way out, we saw a group thinking they were going on a cave tour---alas, the tickets were already sold out. In this case, the early bird does get the worm. Oh, & those bats? We didn't see any. (Do I sound a little disappointed? Nah...well, maybe...just cuz that would've been an awesome story to tell. ;-0 )

Wow, what a place. 90 minute tour was amazing. This is the third time I have visited caves and these caves are the best. There was water running inside and the inside has you ducking, twisting, climbing, and slightly hiking. I liked it more than Carlsbad Caverns because you are so close to everything. It is a little colder than the average cave at. 44 degrees. Tour guid was super.

WORTH THE DRIVE! If you're planning a trip to Crater Lake, definitely carve out an afternoon for a trip to the Oregon Caves. I was a bit skeptical about being required to go on a paid, guided tour to see the caves, but it's worth every penny and now I understand that they need to control access to protect the unique cave ecosystem. Quick tips: 1.) Allocate a full afternoon; the drive from Cave Junction takes longer than you think 2.) It gets cold! I was fine in shorts, but if you get cold easily you may want to wear jeans and a sweatshirt. 3.) Hike! When you exit the top of the cave, there's an easy hike to the top of the hill with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. Great place to see a sunset!

I've been to quite a few National Parks, they are all my favorites, but Oregon Caves holds an extra special place in my heart. It may be because we saw not one, but TWO bats during the season when bats aren't regular visitors in the cave. OR, it could be because our ranger Lindsay gave one of the best and most engaging interpretive programs I've been on (and, the tour is 90 mins, so definitely not an easy feat). Wildlife is prolific around this area...from bats, to a deer just off the trail (literally, it wasn't until she nibbled on plants that I realized she was standing 2 feet from me), and so many birds. Definitely a must see park! I'm sure glad I chose to go last minute.

We made the long long drive up the super windy road to get to this place, only to find out that the next tour we could get into was 1.5 hours later. We didn't want to wait, so we didn't get to see the caves. I find it slightly annoying that you can't buy tickets in advance. To make that ridiculous trip for no reason really pissed me off. BUT the caves look spectacular and when I'm the area again I'll give it another try.

The caves are pretty cold & damp- shocker. You get a pretty long tour for the price, which is really nice. They tell you over and over not to touch the walls, but every snot nose kid in there will be eyeballing all the spots they want to rub up on. Try not to get in a tour group with kids. See how I hold a grudge? Don't let it happen to you. Lot's of bats. Infact, I got a cool Bat Bag from their giftshop that I love. Also, the adjacent hotel is supposedly haunted. Fun fact!

If you like caves, dis is yer place. I've been on a few cave tours in my day; and this one, was just as good, if not better (or worse) than the others. I'm sorry, I just don't know what to say...they're caves.

Drive from town to the caves is pretty windy, so don't be in too much of a hurry. Keep going as their are no signs telling how far away you are. You will know you are there when you reach the entrance gate. I really enjoy the caves and you can't beat the price of the tour. We only had about eight people total on our mid-week tour! Our guide was good, but the beauty of the caves doesn't need much explanation. It is cool in the caves, but nothing too extreme (I wore shorts and a tee-shirt). Lots of steps and some low ceilings in places, so make sure you can climb stairs and duck walk. Seeing a deer eating right in the walking path at the exit gate capped off a great tour.

Awesome tour through the cave. Lasted about 1.5 hours and guide was very knowledgable. Would highly recommend and will go again if back in the area.

I have now been to the monument and gone on the guided tour twice. Last week I went with my family and we had a guide who was a nice guy... but his delivery wasn't the best when it comes to keeping everyone attentive, entertained and informed. It definitely took away from the experience I had remembered from the last time. I must say, though, that the caves are very impressive and it is something (caves in general, that is) that everyone should try and see in their lifetimes. Being underground in total darkness and silence is an experience in and of itself. Expect many slippery stairs and having to contort yourself into many uncomfortable postures to navigate the interior of the caves. It is worth the effort so put on your shoes with the best grip and bring a sweater because it's 44deg F year-round! I remember having gone to some caves in Colorado as a kid and they were much more attractive inside but the tour was considerably shorter. This tour wins in terms of length but the cave has an ugly, slimy look to it. Kinda like something out of the movie Aliens at times. Still worth a visit in my opinion. P.S. Someone barfed ahead of our group so we had to hang tight and hear our guide tell some tales while they cleaned up the mess. Don't barf in the caves!

We four went end of March. It was covered in snow and melted ice was trickling into the cave and streaming along. Great tour. Very friendly staff. Loved seeing the bats and "spiders". Not as picturesque as the California caverns, but still well worth the drive and time.

Fantastic place to visit! If you like caves you should visit this place! 90 minute tour of the caves and it was pretty intense! We ended up with one of the best tour guides I have ever had! Derrick was interesting and so knowledgeable about the caves. We learned a lot! If you are not a fan of cramped spaces then this may not be for you. I have been to several caves and this is close quarters for sure! I am 5'2 and there are times I had to duck. Some of the passage ways are narrow and dark. On a positive note there is running water throughout the cave, so it doesn't feel as claustrophobic in most areas. It is also 40 degrees in the cave so you are chilly the whole time which also takes your mind off the small space. We paid $8 per adult for the 90 minute tour. Definitely worth the money. The road to the caves is windy so keep that in mind, but it is a cool place to explore!