NPS

Experience the off-trail tour.

Introduction to Caving

Experience the wonder of exploring the wild areas of Oregon Caves National Monument on the Off-Trail Caving Tour. You will learn about caving techniques, etiquette, and conservation. This three hour trail takes you through squeezes and crawls that physically challenging and rewarding. 

• Fees
  The cost is $40.00 per person. You must reserve a tour in advance and space is limited to 6 per tour. Call (541) 592-2100 ext 262 to make reservations.  
• About the Tour
  You will encounter a variety of caving challenges which include: climbing and descending over uneven rocky slopes and boulders, crawling on hands and knees, and belly crawling. Negotiating tight spots is part of the fun! The smallest passage has a one foot tall ceiling. You guide will educate you on proper techniques for movement through this environment.
• We Provide
  Helmet, LED light source, gloves, kneepads, and a clean bandana will be provided. Elbow pads are not provided. You are welcome to use bring and use your own clean caving gear. 
• Be Prepared
  Expect to get muddy! Wear boots with ankle support and comfortable clothes that adequately protect you from the 44F cave environment.
• Restrictions
  This tour not recommended if you have a history of heart or respiratory problems, back or shoulder problems, or joint problems; or if you are prone to panic attacks or claustrophobia. You may not attend this tour if you are pregnant.
  Minimum Age: Participants must be at least 15 years old and those 15-17 years old need guardians’ permission to attend the tour.
  Minimum Height: Participants must be at least 5 feet tall.

NPS

You will get muddy! Wear old clothes.

What to Wear

• Your clothes should allow a free range of movement, maintain a comfortable body temperature, and adequately protect you from the cave. The cave is 44 F. Light long underwear is recommended, but don’t overdress, because you stay warm from moving around. Many cavers wear coveralls.
• Wear long sleeves and long pants that completely cover your arms and legs.
• Wear boots that provide traction and ankle support.  Wearing boots is mandatory. 
• Clothes with lots of loops or buttons should be avoided.
• Wear "old" clothes. Keep in mind that mud from the cave can permanently stain your clothes.
• Please do not wear clothes or boots that are already muddy or covered with animal hair.
• Please do not bring watches, jewelry, or other valuables on the tour.

NPS

Adventure had during the off-trail tour.

What to Expect

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

• This tour is designed to provide an introduction to caving. Your guide will give you safety orientation before you enter the cave. Another guide will be trailing the tour to provide additionally safety and assistance with caving moves. On the tour, you will get lots of instruction and practice with safe and low-impact caving techniques and learn how to work together with the other participants to move through the cave.
• You will have to walk about two tenths of a mile and gain 200 feet in elevation to the cave entrance used for this tour.
• Though the tour length is less than two tenths of a mile (once you leave the paved path in the cave), the tour is considered strenuous. You will encounter a variety of caving challenges, including climbing and descent over rocky slopes and boulders, hands and knees crawling, belly crawling, and walking over uneven rocky surfaces with potentially wobbly rocks. Caving can feel awkward at first. You will be required to wear your helmet at all times.
• Negotiating tight spots is part of the fun! The smallest passage has a one-foot high ceiling. It is natural to feel some claustrophobia, but if you know you feel uncontrollably panicked or paralyzed in tight spaces, this tour is not recommended. The tight crawls do not last very long before the cave opens up.
• Many off-trail passages are marked with flags or surveyor’s tape for the cave’s protection. You will be required to stay with the group and stay between the flags.
• The cave is 44 F and damp and drippy in places. You may feel some chill set into your hands. One crawl goes through a passage with a wet floor (but not an actual running stream). Expect to get muddy!

What to Bring

• Bring any medical supplies you might need – inhaler, insulin, etc.
• Bring a change of clothes, because you will get muddy! Helmet, LED light source, gloves, kneepads, and clean bandana will be provided. If you have your own caving gear, you are welcome to use it instead, as long as it is not dirty from another cave. Elbow pads are not provided – bring your own if you want them. (Please check the restrictions – some types of caving gear are not allowed in Oregon Caves.)
• You may bring a small water bottle or small camera (at your own risk). Taking your camera into the cave exposes it to dirt and moisture.
• You may not bring any food, snacks, gum, or tobacco in the cave. Exceptions can be made for medical conditions.
• Packs are not recommended. All packs must be pre-approved by your guide. Your guides will each be carrying a pack with first aid supplies and spare lights and batteries.

Restrictions

• This tour not recommended if you have a history of heart or respiratory problems, back or shoulder problems, or joint problems; or if you are prone to panic attacks or claustrophobia; or if you have recently sustained whiplash. You may not attend this tour if you are pregnant.
• Carbide lamps or other flame-based light sources and hard plastic kneepads are NOT permitted on this tour.
• You will NOT be allowed to attend this tour wearing shorts or capri pants, open-toed shoes or footwear that does not have adequate tread, or shirts with sleeves that do not cover the entire arm.

NPS

Enjoy caves. Cave softly, cave safely.

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.