California Cavern
Ages: 3 and up
Cost: $14.75 adult | $7.50 child ages 3-12 | additional packages available
Parking: Yes
Features: Picnic Area, Shop, Snack Stand, Restrooms, Family Friendly, Changing Table
California Cavern is California's first cave show! Discovered in 1849 and opened in 1850, Captain Taylor made it possible for daring settlers to visit the inside of the cave for just a pinch of gold. Today's visitors may see the etched names of hundreds in the Registry Hall, a large chamber with limestone walls and ceiling.
But the excitement doesn't stop there! Since more of the cavern has been explored and made safe for further walking, a variety of excursions are available for today's spelunkers.
The facility is open 365 days a year and features
- two Walk Tours (suitable for the entire family) Trail of Lights and Trail of Lakes. Which walk tour is available depends on the season.
- the Mammoth Cave Expedition (2- to 3-hour long tour where all tight spaces and rooms are optional — 8 and up)
- the Middle Earth Expedition (4-hour long tour including all the Mammoth Cave tour plus passage to the deeper portions of the cavern and a rafting trip across the underground Tom's Lake — 16 and up)
Don't let the fun end underground... Back on the Earth's surface, additional activities are available to increase the extreme fun factor:gemstone mining, geode cracking, nature trail, and more!
1 Reviews
missbirdie
Reviewed on 09/17/2012
I have never been so in awe of the Earth and science until my recent visit to California Cavern.
Our family had scheduled the Mammoth Cave Expedition at California Cavern, a 3-hour trip underground and into the depths of a naturally made cavern first discovered in 1849. After arriving, slipping into protective padding, coveralls, helmets and gloves, we followed our amazing guide (Christine — totally recommended as a guide for groups...more