The Oregon Caves
  
Oregon Caves National Monument is located 20 miles east of Cave Junction, a quaint town 30 miles South West of Grants Pass. The National Monument is small in size, just 480 acres, but is rich in diversity. The primary resources of the Monument include 31/2 miles of marble caverns, old growth forest and a historic lodge. Above ground, the monument encompasses a remnant old-growth coniferous forest that harbors a fantastic array of plants and trees.

Below ground is an active marble cave created by natural forces over hundreds of thousands of years in one of the world's most diverse geologic realms. A myriad of calcite formations decorate the cave. You will find striking parachute-like flowstone at Paradise Lost and see what appear to be giant ribs as you squeeze through the passage way of the whale. Visitors follow a half mile trail to see a portion of the 3 1/2 miles of caverns that make up Oregon Caves.

Water dripping over time is what created the unique sculptures that decorate the cave. You will find amazing formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, moon milk, Clay worms, box work, Columns, flowstone, cave popcorn, and rim stone dams.
Recently, it has gained notoriety for the Pleistocene aged jaguar and grizzly bear fossils found in some of the deeper chambers.
 
The climate of the region is strongly influenced by the ocean which contributes to relatively mild summers and winters as well as 50 inches of rain per year. The elevation at the Visitor Center is 4,000 feet and resulting in comfortable summer temperatures and snowy winters.
 
The region represents a unique geology composed primarily of bits and pieces of ocean crustal rocks (ophiolite). Some geologic sections are composed entirely of serpentine rock and soils which support many unique plant species. It is this unique soil that makes the northern Siskiyou Mountains well known for their botanical diversity and assemblages of endemic plants.
 
Oregon Caves National Monument is situated high in the Illinois River watershed, a major salmon and steelhead spawning waterway that feeds into the Rogue River near Gold Beach, Oregon. Part of this river flows through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area where narrow canyons make it a popular rafting and kayaking destination. Many deep swimming holes can be found all along this river.
 
VISITATION:
 
Highest in July and August; cave tours closed during the winter months of December, January and February.
A WORD TO THE WISE: How to avoid the crowds and long waits.... During the summer, most travelers arrive at Oregon Caves around 11:00am causing cave tours to quickly fill. Visitors who arrive after 11:00am should expect crowded conditions, few parking spaces and long waits for tours (from 1-2 hours!!). To avoid crowds, try to arrive before 11:00am or wait until after 4:00pm for late tours. Visitors can call ahead (541-592-2100 ext 260) and check the current wait times for tours, but reservations by phone are not permitted. .

Nearby Lodging areas Cave Junction, Grants Pass, Medford, Oregon

To Lodging In Southern Oregon