Oregon Caves National Monument
Oregon, from $20
37
steps on the tour
Sea Lion Caves
Florence, OR
$18
adult ticket
A sea cave on Highway 101 north of Florence where an elevator takes you down to watch the sea lions, which are mostly inside the cave in winter and spring.
The story
Sea Lion Caves was discovered in 1880 by a local seaman, William Cox, who entered the grotto through the western channel in a small boat. Captain Cox purchased the land containing the caves from the State of Oregon in 1887. In 1927 R.E. Clanton acquired the land with the specific intention of opening the Caves as a business. A trail and stairs provided safe access for visitors and Sea Lion Caves was opened to the public by this route in August 1932. An elevator to carry visitors to the cave was completed and opened for public use in June 1961.
- Found
- 1880
- Open to visitors since
- 1932
History source: sealioncaves.com.
What you'll see
- Lincoln's Head
- Indian Maiden
- Goddess of Liberty
- Lighthouse viewpoint
- Caves Totem Pole
- Bronze statue of a family of sea lions
Tickets and timing
- Adults
- $18 (seniors $17)
- Kids
- $12 (ages 5–12, with an adult), free for 4 and under
- Hours
- Daily 9am–5pm, year-round. Closes at noon the day before Thanksgiving; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Booking
- Tickets are purchased in the gift shop; reservations are not needed
Getting around underground
- The walk
- 37 steps in the building, about 400 yards of outdoor trail at a 10–20% grade, an elevator down, then 63 steps inside to the lighthouse viewpoint.
Dogs, weather and what to wear
- When it rains
- Entry to the cave can close in bad weather; winds are usually strong.
Good to know
- Minimum age
- Children must be accompanied by an adult; ages 4 and younger are free
- Best time to go
- Winter months usually find hundreds of sea lions in the Cave; in spring and summer they move to the rookery outside the cave
- Elevator
- Yes; the elevator descends a total of 208 feet
- Wildlife
- Bats, harbor seals, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcons, seabirds, orcas, gray and humpback whales, and Steller sea lions
- On site
- gift shop
Getting there
91560 Hwy. 101 N., Florence, OR 97439
Parking: Free parking, with room for RVs
- Portlandabout 120 miles
Distances are straight-line from each city center.
Before you go
- In summer the sea lions are usually on the rocky ledges outside the cave; in winter and spring they're usually inside.
- Dress in layers, bring a windbreaker and wear sturdy shoes.
Questions people ask
Do you need to book Sea Lion Caves in advance?
Tickets are purchased in the gift shop; reservations are not needed
When was Sea Lion Caves discovered?
1880, according to the cave's own history.
Is there a minimum age for Sea Lion Caves?
Children must be accompanied by an adult; ages 4 and younger are free
Where is Sea Lion Caves?
91560 Hwy. 101 N., Florence, OR 97439
Listed in: caves with an elevator
Checked on 2026-10-22 against sealioncaves.com (tickets, hours and FAQ pages). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.