Sea Lion Caves
Florence, OR, from $18
90 min
on the main tour
Oregon Caves National Monument
Oregon
$20
adult ticket
A national monument cave in Oregon toured on 90-minute ranger-led Discovery tours from late March to early November.
The story
Elijah Davidson discovered Oregon Caves in 1874. In 1922 he wrote, "Everything seemed to be leading me to the cave," reflecting on his discovery. The site's legacy is described as rooted in discovery, stewardship of the land, and preservation of historic structures around it. The pages do not state when the cave opened to visitors or other notable events.
- Found
- 1874
History source: nps.gov.
What you'll see
- Banana Grove room
- Paradise Lost
Tickets and timing
- Adults
- $20 (16+)
- Kids
- $15 (15 and under; must be at least 42 inches tall)
- How long it takes
- 90 minutes (Discovery Tour)
- Hours
- Discovery tours late March–early November, 10am–4pm (daily May–October). Candlelight tours late May–early September.
- Booking
- Discovery tours: reservations recommended on Recreation.gov; same-day tickets first come, first served. Cards only, no cash.
Getting around underground
- The walk
- Tours last 90 minutes and are moderately strenuous; expect at least 15 minutes for the walk back to your car.
Good to know
- Minimum age
- Children must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall for the Discovery and Kids & Family tours; the Candlelight tour requires participants to be 10 years or older; the Off-Trail Caving Tour is for ages 15 and over.
- Best time to go
- The busiest times are between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm; earlier or later arrival is recommended. Wait times can reach up to two hours during the summer season.
- Photos
- Photography is allowed; some rooms are restricted to "no flash" for bat protection, and flash photography is permitted throughout most of the cave tour. Tripods and some camera bags are not permitted in the caves.
- Food and drink
- No dining options are currently available within the park; visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic or dine in Cave Junction before traveling to the caves. The Chateau Café and dining room are closed for repairs.
- Wildlife
- Some cave rooms are restricted to "no flash" for bat protection, and all party members must be present to receive bat-protection information.
- On site
- Park store with Oregon Caves themed books and gift items, Campground (17 first-come first-serve campsites), Kids activities
Special tours and events
Candlelight tour (10+), Kids & Family tour, and a 3-hour off-trail caving tour ($65, 15+).
Getting there
19000 Caves Hwy, Cave Junction, OR 97523
- Portlandabout 239 miles
Distances are straight-line from each city center.
Questions people ask
How long does a visit to Oregon Caves National Monument take?
90 minutes (Discovery Tour)
Do you need to book Oregon Caves National Monument in advance?
Discovery tours: reservations recommended on Recreation.gov; same-day tickets first come, first served. Cards only, no cash.
When was Oregon Caves National Monument discovered?
1874, according to the cave's own history.
Is there a minimum age for Oregon Caves National Monument?
Children must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall for the Discovery and Kids & Family tours; the Candlelight tour requires participants to be 10 years or older; the Off-Trail Caving Tour is for ages 15 and over.
Where is Oregon Caves National Monument?
19000 Caves Hwy, Cave Junction, OR 97523
Listed in: lantern and flashlight tours, wild caving tours, caves with camping or lodging
Checked on 2026-10-22 against nps.gov/orca (cave tours and fees pages). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.