The Cave Guide
Formations inside Boyden Cavern, CaliforniaPhoto: Brandenandersen1, CC BY-SA 3.0

Boyden Cavern

Kings Canyon, CA
55°F
inside, all year
45–60 min
on the main tour

A seasonal cave on Highway 180, 19 miles east of Grant Grove, reached by a short, steep walk; open late April to early November depending on the road and weather.

The story

The cavern and gift shop was closed from August 2015 to May 2019 due to the Rough Fire of 2015. A new company took over operations as of 2019. It reopened on May 15, 2019. The cavern was also closed all of 2023 due to significant road damage that took months to repair, and it reopened again in May of 2024.

History source: boydencavern.com.

What you'll see

  • Stalactites
  • Stalagmites
  • Flowstone
  • Pendants
  • Shields

Tickets and timing

How long it takes
45–60 minutes round trip (35–45 minutes inside)
Hours
Open 7 days a week in season (through November 8 in 2026); dates depend on Highway 180 and the weather.
Booking
Book online; walk-ups usually possible in the morning but expect waits on weekends. Arrive 15–30 minutes early.

Getting around underground

The walk
A short but very steep 5-minute walk up to the entrance, then stairs and slopes inside.
Wheelchairs
Not wheelchair accessible.
Strollers
Not allowed.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
No pets in the cave; service dogs allowed. Dogs aren't allowed on National Park trails.
Temperature
55°F / 12.5°C year-round

Good to know

Minimum age
No minimum age for the standard walking tour; the Flashlight Tour is appropriate for ages 5 and up.
Best time to go
Walk-up tickets can come with a wait that can be much longer on weekends; on holiday weekends the cave can sell out for the whole day by early afternoon. The road is generally open between late April and mid-November.
Photos
Photos are allowed and encouraged on regular tours, but flash photography and continual lighting for video are not allowed on regular walking tours. Private extended tours allow external flash, other lights, and tripod/monopod.
Food and drink
Food or drink, gum, and candy are not allowed inside the cavern; water is OK but no large metal water bottles. Snacks and beverages are sold in the gift shop, and there is a picnic area.
Wildlife
Bats are sometimes present in the cave; they are not often visible to guests and are usually sleeping.
On site
gift shop, picnic area, geodes you can crack on site, rocks and minerals for sale, water shoes for sale, snacks and beverages

Getting there

Las VegasLos AngelesSan DiegoSan FranciscoSacramentoFresno

Boyden Cavern is in or near Kings Canyon, CA.

Parking: Parking area with three primitive pit toilets; no fee stated.

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • Cell service ends past Grant Grove.
  • You'll pass through Kings Canyon or Sequoia National Park to get there.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Boyden Cavern take?

45–60 minutes round trip (35–45 minutes inside)

How cold is it inside Boyden Cavern?

55°F / 12.5°C year-round.

Can you visit Boyden Cavern in a wheelchair?

Not wheelchair accessible.

Are dogs allowed at Boyden Cavern?

No pets in the cave; service dogs allowed. Dogs aren't allowed on National Park trails.

Do you need to book Boyden Cavern in advance?

Book online; walk-ups usually possible in the morning but expect waits on weekends. Arrive 15–30 minutes early.

Is there a minimum age for Boyden Cavern?

No minimum age for the standard walking tour; the Flashlight Tour is appropriate for ages 5 and up.

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

Other caves in California

See all 9 caves in California