Deep within Oregon’s mysterious Siskiyou Mountains are dark, twisting passages just waiting to be explored. Oregon Caves National Monument is the culmination of eons of acidic water seeping into marble rock, which ultimately created one of the state’s greatest natural wonders. Known as the “Marble Halls of Oregon,” the Oregon Caves are a stunning spectacle that need to be on your Beaver State bucket list. And guess what? You can take a tour and explore both mountain and cavern — from the inside out!
Tucked within the wondrous Siskiyou Mountains of southwest Oregon, there is an expansive underworld just waiting to be discovered.
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Oregon Caves National Monument was established by President Taft on July 12, 1909, but its story begins much, much earlier.
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In 1874, Elijah Davidson was out hunting in the Siskiyou Mountains when his dog Bruno caught the scent of a black bear and chased it into a large hole in the mountainside.
Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve/Facebook
Elijah followed his dog to the mouth of the cave, where he heard Bruno struggling in the distance with the bear.
Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve/Facebook Elijah summoned his courage, struck a match, and entered the cave.
What he found was nothing short of spectacular.
IowaMum/TripAdvisor Match after match brought Elijah deeper into the cave, until his last light burned out. But he kept going, eventually rescuing Bruno and making his way out of what’s now known as the Oregon Caves.
Elijah’s story created interest in the study and exploration of this mountain cave, and that continues to this day.
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Today, visitors to the Oregon Caves National Monument can take a guided tour through this expansive, extraordinary underworld.
Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve/Facebook The tour passes through the cavern’s grand “ghost room” – the largest known room of the cave system. It’s a chilly 44 degrees in the cave, so definitely layer up!
Tours journey through several notable formations and features within the cave system, including speleothem, which are often called “drapery,” as well as numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
Management/TripAdvisor The formations here are colloquially referred to as “soda straws!”
Once you’ve completed your tour below the mountains of southwestern Oregon, you can continue with an aboveground trek.
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Hike to the top of the Mt. Elijah for breathtakingly beautiful views – and the ultimate Oregon adventure!
Management/TripAdvisor Where else but Oregon can you journey below, through, and above a mountain?!
Learn more about this epic Oregon cavern tour at the Oregon Caves National Monument website. Craving more big Oregon adventures? You’ll definitely want to check out Wanderlust Tours.
Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve/Facebook
Elijah summoned his courage, struck a match, and entered the cave.
IowaMum/TripAdvisor
Match after match brought Elijah deeper into the cave, until his last light burned out. But he kept going, eventually rescuing Bruno and making his way out of what’s now known as the Oregon Caves.
The tour passes through the cavern’s grand “ghost room” – the largest known room of the cave system. It’s a chilly 44 degrees in the cave, so definitely layer up!
Management/TripAdvisor
The formations here are colloquially referred to as “soda straws!”
Where else but Oregon can you journey below, through, and above a mountain?!
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Address: Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, 19000 Caves Hwy, Cave Junction, OR 97523, USA
