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Oregon National Monument

Oregon Caves National Monument

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1–2 minutes

Today we headed out to the Oregon Caves National Monument, which is 55 miles from our campsite in Grants Pass.  The only cave tour we have experienced previously was at the Moaning Caverns near Angels Camp in California.  The Oregon Caves tour was definitely a more extensive and exciting one.  It is also more strenuous,  a half-mile walk underground with a 230′ climb and more than 500 steps. This is certainly worth doing if you are anywhere in the area and are interested in caves like we are.  It is at the end of highway 46, so it cannot be done along the way during a trip (we wanted to do it a few years ago but didn’t have time).  The drive out from Cave Junction is very nice but slow with a climb to 4000′.

After the tour, we hiked on the Cliff Nature Trail which is just an easy hike to the highest point at 4237 feet.

Sign for Oregon Caves National Monument, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Entrance Marker
A stone memorial with the inscription 'Elijah Davidson discovered the Oregon Caves May 6, 1874', surrounded by moss and fallen leaves.
Elijah Davidson is credited by many for discovering the cave in 1874.
A metal walkway leads into a moss-covered cave entrance, surrounded by rocky terrain and ferns. A wooden plaque is mounted on the rock near the opening.
Cave Entrance
Close-up view of stalactites in a cave, with water droplets forming at the tips.
Water + carbon dioxide + calcite (rock) = stalactites. When carbon dioxide leaves the solution, water drips and the calcite stays behind
Stalactite formation in a cave with a smooth stone floor.
Grand Column When water from a stalactite drips down quicker from the ceiling it builds up a stalagmite from underneath. If the two meet, it is called a column.
Interior of a cave featuring stalactites and stalagmites, illuminated by soft light.
Millers Chapel, Stalactites and stalagmites in Miller’s Chapel
Inner view of a cave showcasing unique, textured rock formations resembling dripping icicles.
Paradise Lost is the most beautiful and wettest room of the Caves. It is filled with drapery. With the amount of water falling in this room you can imagine why it is so beautiful. To view this we have to go in group of six as this is a very confined section.
A moss-covered rock formation with an entrance to a cave, surrounded by greenery and a dirt path.
At the exit we were already 4237 feet above sea level.
A forested trail leading past a large, moss-covered rock formation with informational signs and wooden fencing along the path.
A sign titled 'Two Views of a Mountain' describing Oregon Caves, featuring a gold embossed illustration of a mountain landscape with trees and rocks.
Informational sign about the Siskiyou Mountains, featuring a panoramic view of the landscape with labeled peaks including Pearsol Peak, Fiddler Mountain, Eight Dollar Mountain, York Butte, Little Grayback Lookout, and Kerby Peak. The sign emphasizes the region's botanical and geological diversity.
A person standing on rocky terrain, looking at an informational sign, with a panoramic view of green mountains and cloudy skies in the background.
Person walking along a rocky trail surrounded by green trees and patches of snow.
There were still some left over snow along the trail

 

 

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Comments

5 responses to “Oregon Caves National Monument”

  1. Incredible Caverns – Carlsbad Cavern NP | The Lowe's RV adventures

    […] Oregon National Cave Monument in Oregon […]

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    […] you’ve followed us during our travels, then you know of our explorations of caves big and small, which never fail to thrill and amaze us.  But here in Palawan was a cave that topped all […]

  3. Delightful outdoor Chattanooga | The Lowe's RV adventures

    […] cave and cavern we’ve visited during our travels (Oregon Caves National Monument in Oregon, Lava Beds National Monument in California and the Kartchner Caverns in Arizona) has […]

  4. Tombstone, AZ – It’s pretty darn cold here! « The Lowe's RV adventures

    […]   Kartchner Caverns, that is.  Initially we were hesitant to go as this would be our fourth caving experience, but this cave was highly recommended.  It was discovered by two college students in […]

  5. Vic and Pam Avatar
    Vic and Pam

    Hey Steve, and ML.
    gald to hear you are finally on your way. Keep the emails and information coming and be safe.

    Vic and Pam

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