Oregon Caves National Monument

Although underground,this trail is a beauty.  The Oregon Caves were discovered in 1874 by Elijah Davidson while hunting for bear.  Davidson's dog followed a bear into a cave and when the dog didn't come out, Davidson decided to follow to see what happened.  As he ventured further into the cave, it became darker.  So he lit a match, then another and another, until his supply ran out.


Now in the dark and not knowing which way to go, he sat down to try to figure out which way to go.  In a short time, he felt the wind blowing against his cheek and he heard  the sound of the water flowing through the cave.  he followed the stream and came to the opening where his trusted dog was waiting for him.

Near entrance to cave

Shortly after the discovery, the cave became an attraction and at the urging of Jaoquin Miller and others, President Taft declared the caves a National Monument.  Originally the park was managed by the Forest Service, but was later transferred to the National Park Service.

Within the marble caves

Tours of the cave last about 90-minutes, taking visitors through some narrow and sometimes low overhanging cave ceilings, covering some 526 stairs before emerging to sunlight above the cave entrance.

Stalagmites and stalactites deep in the cave

Temperatures inside the cave are cool, a constant 44 degrees farenheit all year long.  So if taking one of the ranger-led hikes, it would be wise to wear an outer garment to stay warm.

Cave exit

Besides the trail through the cave, there are others in the surrounding are, including one to the largest Douglas Fir Tree in Oregon.  That tree is 13-feet in diameter at the butt, enough wood to build several houses.
Four other trails take hikers through the surrounding forest to various points of interest.

Chateau at the Caves

The Chataeu, where visitors can find food and lodging is built just below the entrance to the cave and just a short distance away. 
The Chateau overlooks the pond near the cave entrance and a portion of the creek actually runs through the dining room, adding a pleasant ambiance  to a fine dining experience.  Another interesting feature of the Chateau is the siding, made of Cedar Bark.  This was no small task for Gust Liam, a local contractor who designed and built the six-story structure.

Inside the lobby of the impressive structure is a huge stone fireplace where guests can warm their bones after a hike through the caves.


The Chalet, another rustic building, is the beginning point of the tours and serves as residences for park guides.
The Monument is located approximately 20 miles out of Cave Junction on a very narrow and winding highway 46.  The last three or four miles are very slow going and there are many sharp turns on the way.  Cave Junction is located about 30 miles southwest of Grants Pass on Highway 199.
Thanks for joining me on this journey and for letting me do the driving.
For more adventure and trails around Oregon, go to RMK Productions.org