Oregon Caves & The Big Tree Trail!

Oregon Caves is a living cave. What's a living cave? It's a cave with water flowing through it. Because water flows though Oregon Caves, the stalagmites and stalactites are growing. One can hear the rush of water, and drops dripping and echoing in the caves.

Be prepared to take a break from the summer heat. The year round caves temperature is 44F.

Our early departure, at 7:30am from the Albertsons in Central Point, is because we want to be in Cave Junction shortly after the Illinois Valley Visitor Center opens at 8:30am. There are restrooms and we'll purchase our Caves Tour tickets here.

Although it is possible to purchase tickets for Oregon Caves Tours online, by purchasing our tickets together probably gives us a better chance to be on the same Caves Tour. We still might not all be on the same tour.

100 tickets per day are sold at the Visitor Center. The regular price is $20. With a National Park Pass Senior Pass, the price is $10. The Caves Tour we purchase will determine if we hike the Big Tree Trail in the morning or in the afternoon.

The Big Tree Trail is a 3.3 mile loop trail with 1100 feet of elevation gain. We'll enjoy a beautiful, spectacular forest walk to the largest known Douglas Fir Tree. There are wooden benches so we can take a break there.

Once we return, we can have a picnic near the cars. Afterwards, we'll put away everything we don't need, and grab our jackets and scarves for the Caves Tour.

The Caves Tour is close to a mile long with over 520 ascending and descending stairs. At one point it is necessary to crouch to 51 inches.

Once we leave the caves, we'll hike a mile back to our cars which includes about 150 feet of elevation gain and a rocky viewpoint where we can see Kerby Peak.

Feel free to contact Chris by Meetup message or by text at (541) 261-8167.