An Introduction to Caving

Experience the wondrous, wild areas of Oregon Caves National Monument off trail! Trained guides will teach you caving techniques, cave etiquette, and bring you face-to-face with the marble structure of Oregon Caves. This three-hour experience through tight squeezes and crawls will challenge and exhilarate you!

Join us weekends during the summer!*

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays:  10:00 and 2:00

*Other days and hours available for group reservations with advance notice

Fees

The cost is $30.00 per person. You must reserve a tour in advance and space is limited to 6 per tour. To make reservations call (541) 592-2100 ext. 2259 or e-mail the Off-Trail Coordinator.

About the Off-Trail Experience

This is an adventure!  Climb and descend over uneven, rocky slopes and boulders; crawl on hands and knees; wriggle through passageways on your belly. Negotiating tight spots is part of the fun! The smallest passage has a one-foot tall ceiling. Your guides will prepare you for safe movement through this environment.

You Will Get Muddy!

This is an adventurous tour - be ready.  Wear boots with ankle support and comfortable clothes that adequately protect you from the 44F cave temperature. Bring a change of clothing for after the tour. 

Help Protect Our Bats!

White-nose syndrome is devastating bat populations in eastern North America. To avoid spreading it to Oregon Caves, do not bring clothes, boots, or equipment used in any cave or mine east of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. or Canada, or any cave or mine in Europe. Even if the item has been washed, there is still a risk. Do not bring it. 

We Provide

Helmet, headlamp, gloves, kneepads, elbow pads, coveralls, and a souvenir bandana will be provided. To protect our bats, no outside cave gear is permitted.

Mobility Limitations

This tour not recommended if you have a history of heart or respiratory problems, back or shoulder problems, joint problems, if you are prone to panic attacks or claustrophobia, or if you are pregnant. All participants must be at least 5 feet tall.

Minimum Age

Participants must be at least 15 years old and those 15 - 17 need a signed waiver to attend the tour.

Preview the Off-Trail Adventure

Preview the Introduction to Caving tour with a short video (15 MB, quicktime; this may take a long time to load so please be patient) by Brent McGregor of the Oregon High Desert Grotto.

Want to do more caving?

Research the caves in your area - many offer "spelunker" tours.

Join a grotto! Grottos are local caving clubs, and they are registered through the National Speleological Society (NSS). Grottos organize caving trips for their members. Go to the NSS web site at www.caves.org for more information.