U.S. Show Caves Directory: Oregon

LAVA RIVER CAVE

Off U.S. 97 about 12 miles south of Bend
May through Sept - 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lava River Cave was at one time a major lava conduit. The cave features over a mile of impressively tall and broad passages. Look for interesting flow features on the floor and frozen lava drips, or "lavacicles", on the shiny linings that coat walls and ceilings like the glazed surface of pottery.

It is located in the Newberry Volcanic National Monument within the Deschutes National Forest.

Stop by the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center at the turn-off to Lava River Cave on U.S. Route 97 to learn more about the cave and its environment, and to rent a lantern for the self-guided cave tour. Bring an alternate source of light, in addition, and carry a sweater or jacket. The cave , maintains a temperature close to 41 degrees F year round.
Inquire at the Visitor Center about visitation guidelines for other caves in the park, including Skeleton Cave, Charcoal Cave, and Lavacicle Cave.

(541) 383-5300

OREGON CAVES NATIONAL MONUMENT

Take U.S. 199 fifty miles southwest from Grant's Pass or 76 miles northeast from Crescent City, CA to Cave Junction. From Cave Junction, take State Hwy. 46 twenty miles southeast to cave. The last eight miles to cave are not recommended for large trailers. (From late May to early September, trailers may be parked at Greyback Campground on Hwy. 46).

May 1 to May 31 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
June 1 to Sept 10 - 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sept 11 to Oct 1 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Oct 1 to May 1 - tours at 10:30, 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30
As parking space is limited, it is recommended that you arrive in the morning hours during the summer months.

Unlike most show caves, the Oregon Caves are formed in marble, or limestone that has been cooked and crumpled deep beneath the Earth's surface. The marble has since been uplifted and fractured, allowing for the development of cave passages where water charged with weak carbonic acid from the soil flowed along zones of weakness in the rock. The Oregon Caves are very well-decorated with a variety of dripstone formations, many of which are still activiely growing.
The guided cave tour lasts about 75 minutes and covers 0.6 miles of passageway, including 550 stairs. An additional 0.3 miles on the surface, some covering steep terrain, completes the loop tour. Bring a light jacket, as the cave varies between 38 and 45 degrees F. The tour is not recommended for anyone with heart, breathing, or walking difficulty. Canes, crutches and tripods are not allowed in the cave. Children under six are not permitted in the cave unless they pass a height and physical ability test. The concessionaire does not provide child care services during the tour.
Above ground, visitors can enjoy the ecologically diverse transition zone between mixed and evergreen forests along several nature trails, many of which connect to trails in the adjoining Siskiyou National Forest.

(503) 592-2100

SEA LION CAVES

On the Central Oregon coast, on U.S. Hwy 101, 11 miles north of Florence and 38 miles south of Newport
Open everday of the year except Christmas.
9:00 a.m. to close; July & August at 8:00 a.m
(541) 547-3111

LAVA RIVER CAVE
	Off U.S. 97 about 12 miles south of Bend
	May through Sept - 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
	Lava River Cave was at one time a major lava conduit. The cave features over a mile of impressively tall and broad passages. Look for interesting flow features on the floor and frozen lava drips, or "lavacicles", on the shiny linings that coat walls and ceilings like the glazed surface of pottery. It is located in the Newberry Volcanic National Monument within the Deschutes National Forest. Stop by the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center at the turn-off to Lava River Cave on U.S. Route 97 to learn more about the cave and its environment, and to rent a lantern for the self-guided cave tour. Bring an alternate source of light, in addition, and carry a sweater or jacket. The cave , maintains a temperature close to 41 degrees F year round. Inquire at the Visitor Center about visitation guidelines for other caves in the park, including Skeleton Cave, Charcoal Cave, and Lavacicle Cave.
	(541) 383-5300

OREGON CAVES NATIONAL MONUMENT
	Take U.S. 199 fifty miles southwest from Grant's Pass or 76 miles northeast from Crescent City, CA to Cave Junction. From Cave Junction, take State Hwy. 46 twenty miles southeast to cave. The last eight miles to cave are not recommended for large trailers. (From late May to early September, trailers may be parked at Greyback Campground on Hwy. 46).
	May 1 to May 31 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. June 1 to Sept 10 - 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sept 11 to Oct 1 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Oct 1 to May 1 - tours at 10:30, 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30 As parking space is limited, it is recommended that you arrive in the morning hours during the summer months.
	Unlike most show caves, the Oregon Caves are formed in marble, or limestone that has been cooked and crumpled deep beneath the Earth's surface. The marble has since been uplifted and fractured, allowing for the development of cave passages where water charged with weak carbonic acid from the soil flowed along zones of weakness in the rock. The Oregon Caves are very well-decorated with a variety of dripstone formations, many of which are still activiely growing. The guided cave tour lasts about 75 minutes and covers 0.6 miles of passageway, including 550 stairs. An additional 0.3 miles on the surface, some covering steep terrain, completes the loop tour. Bring a light jacket, as the cave varies between 38 and 45 degrees F. The tour is not recommended for anyone with heart, breathing, or walking difficulty. Canes, crutches and tripods are not allowed in the cave. Children under six are not permitted in the cave unless they pass a height and physical ability test. The concessionaire does not provide child care services during the tour. Above ground, visitors can enjoy the ecologically diverse transition zone between mixed and evergreen forests along several nature trails, many of which connect to trails in the adjoining Siskiyou National Forest.
	(503) 592-2100

SEA LION CAVES
	On the Central Oregon coast, on U.S. Hwy 101, 11 miles north of Florence and 38 miles south of Newport
	Open everday of the year except Christmas. 9:00 a.m. to close; July & August at 8:00 a.m
	(541) 547-3111