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On Saturday, May 12, Oregon Caves National Monument will host its annual Community Open House.Free tours of the cave, the Oregon Caves Chateau, and nature walks will be offered between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.Besides your sense of adventure, we request that you bring a non-perishable food item to donate.All collected food will be given to the local food bank.
Please, do not to bring any clothing, footwear, or gear that were used in any cave, mine, or bat hibernation site east of the Rocky Mountains since 2005 or in Europe ever. This restriction and a screening procedure are in place to limit the spread of white-nose syndrome, a fatal disease in bats. For more information, visit the Oregon Caves' white-nose syndrome web page, https://www.nps.gov/orca/naturescience/white-nose.htm. The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to address safety issues and improve accessibility at the Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument. Constructed in 1934, this National Historic Landmark (NHL) hotel became a property managed by the NPS in 2003.On Community Day, the public is invited to identify any issues or concerns they might have in the preparation of the Environmental Assessment. We invite you to provide comments from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Chateau. Cameras are allowed in the cave, but backpacks and large purses are not permitted. Bring a jacket because the temperature in the cave averages a chilly 44 degrees.We strongly recommend good walking shoes; the tour route includes over 500 stone steps.Cave passages are narrow, short, and winding.Visitors in wheelchairs can access only the first room of the cave. The cave is unsafe for small children: kids 42 inches and under tall are not allowed.
Oregon Caves is located about 20 miles from Cave Junction, but the last eight miles of the highway are steep and winding, allow 45 minutes.
The Monument can be busy for the Oregon Caves Community Open House.We recommend arriving early.There is plenty to do, however: Visit a National Historic Landmark: the Oregon Caves Chateau, hike one of the four hiking trails on the Monument, or earn a Junior Ranger badge - kids can pick up an activity book in the visitor center.Food service is available at the Monument with lunches and dinner available at the Chateau dining hall and coffee shop. The following day, Sunday May 13th- Mother's Day- the Chateau will have a special dinner menu and at 4:00p the Rogue River Community College will perform in the Lobby.
Other exciting events happening this spring include the re-release of two documentaries on the natural and cultural history of Oregon Caves.Watch for them on your local PBS station throughout the Northwest. Educators: the National Park Service has produced a curriculum-based teacher's companion guide to the videos.Pick up your free copy from park rangers at local outreach events and as far away as Seattle!Plan to download them from the Monument's website by early May.
Enjoy the caves this spring and all season long.For more information about the Oregon Caves Community Open House, call (541) 592-2100 extension 2262. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015