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    Oregon Caves

    4.5 (97 reviews)

    Oregon Caves Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Oregon Caves

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    Oregon Caves National Park, Cave Junction, OR - September 27, 2024
    Bruce O.

    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.

    Selena N.

    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.

    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!!

    Sarahbeth M.

    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

    Stuart S.

    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.

    Emily L.

    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!

    Katherine C.

    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...

    Gift shop.
    Becca S.

    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.

    Inside the Caves
    Tam F.

    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.

    Katrina W.

    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!

    Pausing for a photo...it's actually pitch dark in here.
    Kathleen W.

    [[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!!

    Nice vista from the top of the hill over the caves.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Oregon Caves

    In the "non-tour" season, is it still worthwhile to make the drive and walk around, or is it totally shut down and gates are locked? My guests never seem to coordinate their schedule with the caves tour season.

    During the off season, I would be disappointed to make the drive, not much to see above ground. This season is starting late due to weather (check back late-April 2023)

    I am terrified of switchback mountains. On the recreation.gov website for the Caves, it says "the last several miles are narrow, steep & winding" and 'car sickness is a real possibility'. I was interested in going here until I read that. Is it scary?

    There are parts that seemed scary. There is a hairpin curve. Not suitable for trailers. This isn't a busy road. We only passed two cars. Otherwise we stayed towards the center.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Oregon Caves

    I hope the chateau opens again someday but it's so beautiful it's worth the drive even if you don't stay.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    Whaleshead Beach - Bbq

    Whaleshead Beach

    (14 reviews)

    We rented room U 21 Seawolf, for three nights, 8/27 8/30 what a dump, trash everywhere bbq rusted…read morebeyond repair spa not working. Nothing at all to cook with unless you want cancer. Just a dump. What rip off buyer beware!

    I took a hard left after seeing the sign to this secluded beach along Oregon's beautiful coast…read moreline, my QX80 handled the steep grades of loose gravel just fine after finding the far left side of the road offered a much smoother ride as I whipped it around the switch backs to the tiny parking lot, almost proud of my off-road excursion only to find a few nimble cars and motorcycles had taken the same route without issue - I guess the sign suggesting four wheeled drive vehicles beyond a certain point is somewhat overstated - but I did enjoy the ride down even though my embellishment was only in my head. Once you park it's a fairly short hike down a well marked path, you may be tempted to take in all the scenery from the small park at the top but believe me the awesomeness will meet you at the waters edge. There's a small creek dividing the open area at the bottom of the trail it's a cake walk to cross it and if you've come this far you have to find a way to cross it, its about thirty feet wide but on this day it was merely a few inches deep, of course if there's a flash flood warning when you visit then your story may differ from mine. The sand is mostly silty in and around the creek but loosens up as your approach the water. As you stand amongst the giant rocks the waves atomizes the cool ocean water as it crashes into the rocks gently misting you with its salty spray, today the weather was quite warm so it was a welcoming anointment. The drift wood and rugged terrain is prehistoric and it's easy to imagine the Jurassic world when you stand so close to creation. The relentlessness of the ocean is almost deafening as the waves march ashore but yet it's a tranquil paradise filled with life forms that dance in the foam and tidal pools. If you can't find your sanity here all may be lost...

    Damnation Creek Trail - The stream

    Damnation Creek Trail

    (5 reviews)

    To get to Damnation Creek Trail, you'll have to follow a short bit of the Coastal Trail (which…read morefollows the old Highway 101). It's a fun descent to the ocean, over some little bridges and through some high brush at times. Time your hike with the tides. If you reach the trail's end at low tide, you can scramble down the rocks to the rocky beach. There are succulents clinging to the rocky bluffs, wildflowers growing above the beach, and waves crashing on the seastacks. You can find tidepools with all kinds of sea life. Wear waterproof shoes. The hard part is the walk back. The hike is a dead end, and the first half is downhill. That means you'll be walking up hill (the hike begins/ends with a 1000-foot elevation) for the second leg of your hike, so pace yourself. But the views are well worth the effort. You can even cool off by walking a bit of the coastal trail when you're done. It covers part of the old highway, so it's flat and paved. In the spring there are some pretty wildflowers, too. One of my favorite hiking trails in the area.

    Beautiful ending to a hike. By the time you get to the bottom (1000 ft) on the ocean, you just…read morewant to stay. However, the climb back will hit you. If you jump into the stream it refreshes you and gets you ready for the hike back up. Takes about 2 -3 hours on a decent pace. Make sure you head down. Don't make a left or right. You will see a sign that says 1.7 miles and dead end. Follow that one. Wear hiking shoes, it gets slippery. I wouldn't do it if it was raining. It can be dangerous.

    Rogue Gorge Viewpoint - August 31, 2025 - Rogue Gorge Day Use Area.

    Rogue Gorge Viewpoint

    (9 reviews)

    August 31, 2025 - Prospect, Oregon…read more This is a "must-see" stop when in the Crater Lake Area. There is an easy pathway that offers stunning views of the Rogue River and four overlook points for capturing great photos. Find the Rogue Gorge Day-Use Area and parking lot on the west side of OR 62, just north of Union Creek Resort. It is a quick, easy stop, well worth your time.

    I really hate reviewing this low for a place that had some amazing views of starting point of the…read moreRogue in the Gorge. First, this was kind of an add on stop after grabbing a bite to eat just around the corner. First thing we did was explore the path. I should add that the path is relatively flat and easy to navigate for anyone that has a hard time with hikes. This is a paved path and is pretty flat from one end to the other. There are a few spots you can go down steps for a closer vantage point, but the most steps you will encounter is about 10 at any one point. Great shots of the Rogue can be captured all along the pathway as you walk to the upper point of the viewing area. Just guessing, but round trip I'd say that the total walk distance is approx. 1/2 mile. Now to go into details as to why only three stars. I can't go without saying, the bathrooms here are absolutely disgusting. My gf turned and walked away after the initial door opening/smell that escaped when the door was opened. For this reason alone I had to deduct 1 - 2 stars. If you are just here for the views and don't use the restroom facilities then I'd highly recommend. Really cool all in all minus the bathroom experience.

    Oregon Caves - parks - Updated May 2026

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