Oregon Caves
National Monument

Hwy 46 Road Construction - Delays & Closures

Continued work on a bridge and a problem with landsliding may result in some delays or unscheduled road closures this spring and early summer. Updates on road conditions will be on this page.

BOOK AND MAP SALES

Books and maps about Oregon Caves and the surrounding region.

VISITATION:

Highest in July and August; lowest in December, January and February.

A WORD TO THE WISE: How to avoid the crowds and long waits.... During the summer, most travelers arrive at Oregon Caves around 11:00am causing cave tours to quickly fill. Visitors who arrive after 11:00am should expect crowded conditions, few parking spaces and long waits for tours (from 1-2 hours!!). To avoid crowds, try to arrive before 11:00am or wait until after 4:00pm for late tours.

LOCATION:

On Highway 46, 20 miles east of Cave Junction, OR

ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Oregon Caves National Monument
19000 Caves Highway
Cave Junction, OR 97523

TELEPHONE:

(541) 592-2100

E-MAIL INFORMATION:
Chief of Interpretation, Oregon Caves National Monument

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

The Monument is open all year for hiking, snow shoeing and other similar outdoor activities. Access to Oregon Caves is only by guided tours. The cave tour schedule for the spring through fall of 1999 is as follows:

Spring:
March 1 - April 29: 10am - 4pm
Tours given at 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30, 4
April 30-May 27: 9am - 5pm
Tours given on the Hour

Summer:
May 28 - Sept 6: 9am - 7pm
Tours given on the hour and half hour.

Fall:
Sept 7 - Sept 26: 9am - 5pm
Tours given on the hour.
Sept 27-Nov 28: 10am - 4pm
Tours given at 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30, 4

Winter: CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED
.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summers are generally warm and sunny, with cool nights and occasional afternoon or evening thunderstorms. Winters are cold and wet. The cave temperature is a constant 41 degrees F (5 degrees C), so warm clothing is recommended. Wear good walking shoes, as the trail surface is uneven and slippery.

DIRECTIONS:

The monument is located 20 miles east of Cave Junction, Oregon, at the end of State Highway 46. From Interstate 5 at Grants Pass, Oregon, go southwest on Highway 199. From Crescent City, California, go northeast on Highway 199, then turn east onto State Highway 46.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: private vehicles can access the monument by Interstate 5 and State Roads. Bus service is available only to Grants Pass. A concession provided shuttle service is available, for a fee, and with advance notice, from Cave Junction to the monument.
At the Monument: it's a three minute walk from the main parking lot to the cave entrance.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

There is no entrance fee for the monument. Cave tours cost $7.50 for adults (12 years and over), $5.00 for children, and $6.50 for seniors holding Golden Age Passports. Also see special needs category below.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:

The interagency Illinois Valley Visitor Center is located in Cave Junction on Highway 46, near its intersection with Highway 199. The Crater Lake Natural History Association operates a sales outlet there, with exhibits and information on the Oregon Caves.

Trails, Roads:

There are five miles of day hiking trails (three trails total) within the monument. The Big Tree Trail connects with a Siskiyou National Forest trail to Bigelow Lakes, a popular overnight backcountry hike. The No Name Trail connects with a Siskiyou National Forest trail to reach Cave Creek Campground. The Cliff Nature Trail is a 3/4 mile self guided loop which affords outstanding vistas near cliff area. Signs interpret natural features.

Programs, Activities:

CAVE TOURS are provided from May through November. During the summer, there are daily Ranger programs, short talks and demonstrations. There are summer evening programs on Friday and Saturday nights at Grayback Campground in the Siskiyou National Forest. Hiking and picnicking are also available at the Monument.

Lodging and camping facilities:

List of local Campgrounds & Lodging The Historic Oregon Caves Chateau, a 22 room hotel operated by the Oregon Caves Company, provides lodging facilities (closed December, January, and February). There are no campgrounds within the monument, but two Forest Service several private campgrounds and/or RV parks are within a short drive of the Monument.

Food/supplies:

The concession operates a coffee shop and dining room in the Chateau, during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Snacks can be purchased in the gift store. No groceries are available at the monument. For information on Gift Shop and restaurant operating hours, contact the Oregon Caves National Monument Concession - 541 592-3400

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

There is a Park Service Information Station adjacent to the main parking area where information about the Monument can be requested. This facility is open every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving day. The concessionaire operates a gift shop and cave guide service. For information about operating hours, contact the Oregon Caves National Monument Concession - 541 592-3400.

Accessibility:

Due to the nature of the cave, only the first room of the cave is accessible to wheelchairs. Some picnic tables and rest rooms are accessible.

Special Needs:

The cave tour is considered strenuous and is not recommended for people with heart, breathing or walking difficulties. Young children must be at least 42 inches tall, and be able to climb a set of test stairs unassisted. Children may not be carried by any means through the cave, and child care services are not available. The final eight miles of Highway 46 are narrow, steep and winding. Trailers are not advised, and may be parked at the Illinois Valley Visitor Center in Cave Junction. Gas is not available beyond Cave Junction.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Attend the CAVE TOUR, at least one hiking trail, a naturalist talk, picnicking and if staying overnight, the evening naturalist program at 9:00 p.m. (8:30 p.m., mid-August through early September). Children can ask for the Monuments Junior Ranger Activity Book. An award is given to those who finish the book and show it to a Ranger. For those interested in history, you may want to take a few minutes to look inside the Oregon Caves Chateau, a National Historic Landmark.

RESERVATIONS, PERMITS:

No reservations for cave tours. Reservations recommended for Chateau lodging in summer at (541) 592-3400. Reservations for school groups or other educational groups should be made at least two weeks prior to the visit (541) 592-2100 ext 225. Applications are required for special use permits and filming permits. Call (541) 592-2100.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Allow three hours for a visit during peak season. Waiting times for cave tour can be up to two hours (see CAVE TOUR INFORMATION for tips on how to avoid crowds and delays). Allow extra time for hiking loop trails on the Monument or attending a Ranger program in the historic plaza or taking a walk through the Oregon Caves Chateau, a National Historic Landmark.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

There are possible road closures due to snow, or possible cave closures due to wintertime restoration projects. For information on current conditions at the Monument, call the Oregon Caves Information Station (541) 592-2100 or Illinois Valley Visitor Center (541) 592-2631. E-mail information requests can be made to Chief of Interpretation, Oregon Caves National Monument

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Water sports include Jet boat tours on the Rogue River from Grants Pass or Gold Beach, rafting and world class salmon and stealhead fishing. Redwoods National and State Parks are approximately two hours away. Crater Lake National park is three hours. The Kalmiopsis, Siskiyou and Red Buttes Wilderness Areas are nearby.

VOLUNTEER & INTERN JOBS:

List of jobs for the 1999 season. Includes information on the J-1 Visa for International Volunteers:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write: Oregon Caves National Monument, 19000 Caves Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523, (541) 592-2100.

Chief of Interpretation, Oregon Caves National Monument For Chateau reservations, call (541) 592-3400, or write Oregon Caves Company, P.O. Box 128, Cave Junction, OR 97523.

Oregon Caves National Monument is part of the Columbia Cascades Cluster

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Last Updated: Friday, 14 February 1999 17:49:02
http://www.nps.gov/orca/