What Is It?
Deep in the Siskiyou Mountains that sit along the border between Oregon and California, Oregon Caves National Park and Preserves is home to lush forests and deep caves worn into the mountainside.
History
Known as the Marble Halls of Oregon, the caves were formed from the lack of marble. Starting more than a million years ago, slightly acidic rainwater seeped into the ground and began dissolving the marble. The caves formed as the marble washed away. In 1909, President William Howard Taft established Oregon Caves National Monument.
Cave Tour
The monument has a few popular cave tours open seasonally—often late March through September. Tours fill quickly, so consider booking in advance. The discovery tour is 90 minutes and limited to 12 people. Be aware it is a natural cave and, therefore, difficult to traverse. Children must be at least 42 inches tall. The tour goes through long passages with ceilings as low as 45 inches, and there are more than 500 stair steps.
Added Preserves
In 2014, 4,000 acres were designated as Oregon Caves National Preserve. The land had previously been part of a national forest. It encompasses the watershed that feeds the cave rivers and provides the park’s drinking water. The park and preserve are home to many hikes for those who prefer the wide outdoors to narrow caves.
More Information
Tours are offered Thursday through Monday during the season. The cost is $10 for those 16 and older, $7 for children and $5 for those with Interagency Senior or Access passes. Visit www.nps.gov/orca to learn more about when the park is open and to determine if tours are right for you and your group. For more information, call 541-592-2100.