The Cave Guide

Black Chasm

Volcano, CA
58°F
inside, all year
50 min
on the main tour
$24
adult ticket

A cavern in Volcano, California, off Highway 88 near Pine Grove, viewed from three platforms linked by five flights of stairs.

The story

The first documented exploration of Black Chasm was in 1854, when explorers found a blue underground lake and crystal formations. It was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1976 for its abundance of helictites, twisting formations found in perhaps 5% of known caves.

Found
1854

History source: cavetouring.com.

What you'll see

  • Three chambers
  • Blue lake
  • Helictites
  • Stalactites
  • Stalagmites
  • Miners Trail

Tickets and timing

Adults
$24 (ages 13 and up)
Kids
$16 (ages 4 to 12); free for ages 3 and under
How long it takes
About 50 minutes
Hours
Mon–Fri 11am–4pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm.
Booking
Reservations are recommended and tickets can be booked online.

Getting around underground

The walk
3 platforms and 5 flights of stairs.
Wheelchairs
Cave tours are not wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, and similar mobility devices cannot be used on the cave tours.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed inside the caves; service animals with proper documentation are allowed under California law.
Temperature
About 58°F (14°C)

Good to know

Best time to go
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, holidays, and for groups; tours can fill quickly during busy travel periods, school breaks, and holiday weekends.
Photos
Tripods, selfie sticks, and extra camera attachments are not allowed inside the caves.
Food and drink
Food, drinks, gum, and water bottles are not allowed inside the caves.
On site
gift shop, visitor center, Miners Trail self-guided walking tour

Getting there

Los AngelesSan DiegoSan FranciscoSacramentoFresno

15701 Pioneer Volcano Road, Volcano, CA 95689

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Black Chasm take?

About 50 minutes

How cold is it inside Black Chasm?

About 58°F (14°C).

Can you visit Black Chasm in a wheelchair?

Cave tours are not wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, and similar mobility devices cannot be used on the cave tours.

Are dogs allowed at Black Chasm?

Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed inside the caves; service animals with proper documentation are allowed under California law.

Do you need to book Black Chasm in advance?

Reservations are recommended and tickets can be booked online.

When was Black Chasm discovered?

1854, according to the cave's own history.

Where is Black Chasm?

15701 Pioneer Volcano Road, Volcano, CA 95689

Checked on 2026-10-22 against cavetouring.com (official site). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.

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