Atlas & Gazetteer - Oregon
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Atlas & Gazetteer - Oregon
Park Details
Location Information
Location:
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
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.
In Park: it's a three minute walk from the main parking lot to
the cave entrance.
Operating Hours/Seasons
The monument is usually open all year. Cave tours are provided as follows: In summer, approximately June 11 to September 4, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with tours running on a continual basis. In the fall, approximately September 5 to September 30, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In winter, approximately October 1 to April 30, with scheduled times between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., call for tour times and status of cave closures. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. In spring, approximately May 1 to June 10, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Fees, Costs, Rates:
There is no entrance fee for the monument. Cave tours cost
$6.00 for adults (12 years and over), $3.75 for children, and
$5.00 for seniors holding Golden Age Passports. Also see special
needs category below.
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. Applications are required for
special use permits and filming permits. Call (541) 592-2100.
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.
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 year round except for Thanksgiving
and Christmas. In summer, there are weekly ranger guided hikes, daily
naturalist short talks and demonstrations and nightly evening
programs at the monument. There are summer evening
programs on Friday and Saturday nights at Grayback Campground in
the Siskiyou National Forest, and hiking and picnicking are
available also.
Lodging and camping facilities:
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 campgrounds and some
private ones, nearby.
Food/supplies:
The concession operates a coffee shop and dining room in the
Chateau, during the spring, summer and fall seasons. No
groceries are available at the monument.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and
Opportunities:
There is an NPS visitor contact station in the monument, as
well as the NPS office. The concessionaire operates a gift shop
and cave guide service year-round.
Accessibility:
Due to the nature of the cave, only the first room of the
cave is accessible to wheelchairs. Picnic tables and rest rooms
are accessible to all.
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).
Visitation
Highest in July and August; lowest in December, January and February.
Basic Visit Recommendations:
Allow three hours for visit during peak season. Waiting
times for cave tour can be up to an hour. Allow extra time for
hiking the trails, which are beautiful and rarely used.
Visitor Impacts:
There are possible road closures due to snow, or possible
cave closures due to wintertime restoration projects. Call the
park at (541) 592-2100 or the Illinois Valley Visitor Center at
(541) 592-2631 for information.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Jet boating, rafting, and world class salmon and stealhead fishing on the Rogue River are available. Redwoods National and State Parks are approximately two hours away.
Additional Information
Write Oregon Caves National Monument, 19000 Caves Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523, or call (541) 592-2100. For Chateau reservations, call (541) 592-3400, or write Oregon Caves Company, P.O. Box 128, Cave Junction, OR 97523.
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