13 Fascinating Caverns And Caves In California

1. Moaning Caverns Adventure Park

Moaning Caverns is a unique underground cave in Vallecito that is open to guided tours and other experiences. This is the largest single cave chamber in California and quite the sight to see in person!

During my visit to Moaning Caverns Adventure Park, I took the Spiral Tour, which is 45 minutes long. During this tour, I climbed down a spiraling metal staircase 165 feet underground, where I got to marvel at unique limestone formations.

The Spiral Tour costs $24 for general admission (ages 12+) and $18 for kids (ages 3-11). Kids under 2 are free. While the tour itself is pretty easy, the climb down the 144 narrow stairs can be challenging for smaller kids and the elderly.

If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, they also offer an Expedition Crawling & Spelunking Tour. During this tour, you’ll be climbing and crawling through narrow parts of the cave with highly experienced guides. This tour costs $130 and reservations can be made by calling Moaning Caverns Adventure Park directly.

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2. Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark

Visiting Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark is a bucket list experience in California! This location can only be reached by going on a guided tour that departs from a visitor center off Highway 5 near Redding in Northern California.

To reach the limestone caverns, you will need to go on a catamaran ride across Lake Shasta, followed by a short bus ride. The entire tour is around 2 hours long, which includes spending an hour inside the cave system.

The tours are offered daily and cost $42 for general admission (ages 16+), $26 for juniors (ages 7-15), and $16 for kids (ages 3-6), while kids under 2 are free. This includes the boat ride, bus ride, and a guide inside the caves.

3. Lava Beds National Monument

Lava Beds National Monument is another incredible attraction in Northern California near the Oregon border. Lava Beds National Monument is home to over 800 caves that were formed by volcanic eruptions half a million years ago.

At this location, visitors can explore several of the lava tubes on self-guided tours. Caving Permits are required to enter any of the caves and can be obtained at the Visitor Center upon arrival.

A few of the most popular caves to visit here include the Mushpot Cave by the visitor center, Valentine Cave, and Skull Cave. You will need a headlamp, a flashlight, and a helmet to enter the caves. If you forget to bring them, these items can be purchased on-site at the Visitor Center. 

Entrance to the park costs $25 per vehicle. If you have the America the Beautiful pass, it is accepted here as well. I buy this pass every year, and it always pays for itself within several park visits.

4. Mojave Desert Lava Tube

Mojave Desert Lava Tube is a hidden little gem in the Mojave National Preserve near the Nevada border.

This lava tube was formed 27,000 years ago as hot lava erupted and flowed down the desert, leaving a hollow tunnel. This basaltic lava tunnel has several openings in the ceiling where light shines into the cave, creating an alien-looking light beam.

To reach the lava tube, you will need to drive across a rough, bumpy, washed-out road. A high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended. This is a remote area with no cell reception or amenities, so be sure to look up directions ahead of time.

Once you reach the parking lot, follow the 0.5-mile-long Lava Tube Trail to the cave entrance. There are short but steep metal stairs that lead down into the cave.

The best time to visit the Mojave Desert Lava Tube is in the middle of a sunny day when you can see the light shining down into the cave. Be sure to bring a flashlight or a headlamp and a sturdy travel tripod to capture the light beam.

5. Crystal Cave At Sequoia National Park

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are home to nearly 300 caves. But by far the most impressive one is the Crystal Cave at Sequoia National Park!

Due to the fragile environment, the cave can only be visited on a guided tour. The tours are starting up again this year after closures due to wildfire damage.

The tours of this cave typically run from spring to fall and cost $20 (ages 11+) and $10 (ages 10 and under). Tickets must be purchased on the Sequoia Parks Conservancy website at least 36 hours in advance. Tickets are not sold at the cave entrance.

There is also a $35 vehicle fee to enter Sequoia National Park, or you can use the America The Beautiful Annual Pass.

Crystal Cave is 3 miles long, and on the tour, you’ll be visiting about 0.5 miles of it. Be sure to account for the additional 0.5-mile walk to and from the cave entrance each way.

The cave has many unique features, including stalagmites, stalactites, soda straws, flowstones, fairy pools, cave streams, and colorful minerals. Bring a jacket to explore the different chambers as the temperatures stay in the 50s inside the cave.

6. Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park is a bit off the beaten track, but it is a great place to visit if you enjoy history.

Located north of Santa Barbara, here you can see mysterious red, black, and white paintings inside a small cave. These images were painted by the Chumash people who lived in this area for thousands of years. The paintings are estimated to be from the 1600s and were done using charcoal, red ochre, and powdered shells.

To reach the Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park, you will need to drive along the narrow Painted Cave Road. There is limited parking by the cave, and it can only fit one or two cars max. You can also find parking at pullout spots along the Painted Cave Road.

There is a metal gate by the cave entrance to prevent vandalism. Visitors can’t go inside the cave, but you can see the paintings from the outside.

The meaning of the paintings is lost, but it is believed to have been done by priests or shamans who were seeking power or spiritual strength to influence supernatural beings.

7. Balconies Cave

Balconies Cave is a fun outdoor adventure within Pinnacles National Park. This is one of the two main caves at the park that is open to visitors.

Balconies Cave is a talus cave that was formed by massive boulders and rocks falling into narrow canyons. Visitors can walk and crawl through passageways underneath the boulders and explore different rock chambers.

Keep in mind that it is completely dark inside Balconies Cave, so come prepared with headlamps, flashlights, and hiking poles to help navigate the passageways. There are arrows painted on the cave walls pointing in which direction to go.

To reach the cave, follow the Balconies Cave Trail on the AllTrails hiking app. This trail is 2.6 miles long out and back with 383 feet of elevation gain.

It costs $30 per vehicle to enter and visit Pinnacles National Park. You can also use the America The Beautiful annual pass.

Visitor Tip: The best time to visit Pinnacles National Park is in spring and fall when the weather temperatures are much milder. Pinnacles National Park gets very hot in the summer, often reaching over 100°F, so it’s best to avoid hiking in the summer.

Balconies Cave may close seasonally due to floods, rockfalls, and to protect the bats residing in the caves. Be sure to check the current cave status here before heading out there.

8. Bear Gulch Cave

Bear Gulch Cave is another incredible talus cave at Pinnacles National Park. This cave was also formed by large boulders crashing down cliffs and getting stuck in narrow canyons.

Bear Gulch Cave has a lower section and an upper section that close seasonally for the protection of Townsend’s big-eared bats.

The lower cave is usually open most of the year, closing mid-May through mid-July when bats are raising their young babies. The upper cave is rarely open. Be sure to check the park website for closures before heading out there.

While Bear Gulch Cave has some natural light in certain sections, you will need a headlamp or a flashlight to enter the cave. There will be some tight spaces, low ceilings, and narrow sections that you’ll need to crawl through. The ground can be slippery when wet, so good hiking shoes are highly recommended.

After exploring the cave, be sure to stop by the Bear Gulch Reservoir nearby. This reservoir was created in 1935 to prevent flooding and has beautiful, glass-like reflections.

The hike to the cave and the Bear Gulch Reservoir comes out to be around 2 miles round trip from the visitor lot by the Bear Gulch Nature Center. For directions, follow the Moses Spring and Rim Trail Loop on the AllTrails hiking app.

If you’re lucky and can get a parking spot at the Moses Spring Parking Area, then it’s only a 1.2-mile-long hike round trip. For directions, follow the Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir.

9. Mercer Caverns

Calaveras County is home to several popular limestone caves, including the Mercer Caverns. This cave is located in Murphys just a 15-minute drive north of Moaning Caverns Adventure Park. You could easily visit and see both of these caverns on the same trip.

A tour of Mercer Caverns is 45 minutes long and descends 160 feet deep into the cave along a set of stairs and walkways. Altogether, you’ll walk about a quarter of a mile on this tour by following 208 steps down and 232 steps back up.

Along the way, you’ll be able to observe unique stalactites, stalagmites, and rare aragonite formations. It stays very chilly inside the caverns, so be sure to bring a jacket or a sweater to stay warm.

The entrance and tour fee is $23 for adults and $17 for kids (ages 3-12).

10. Boyden Cavern

If you’re looking for a fun cave adventure in Central California, Boyden Cavern is it! This cavern is located within Kings Canyon National Park, right off Highway 180.

Boyden Cavern is open seasonally, typically from late April to early November. Season dates vary depending on weather conditions and when Highway 180 reopens after winter. Check the Boyden Cavern calendar online here to see when the tours are taking place.

There are several tour options that you can take here. The group walking tour is 45-60 minutes long and is the most popular option. You can also book a private tour for up to 5 adults or a flashlight tour.

The group walking tour prices are $17 (ages 13+) and $8 for youth (ages 4-12). Kids under 3 are free. Tours can be booked online, but some walk-up tickets may be purchased on-site, depending on availability and how busy it is. You will also need to pay a $35 vehicle fee to enter Kings Canyon National Park or use the America The Beautiful Pass.

To reach the cave entrance, you will need to go on a short but steep 5-minute walk next to the river. The tour is mostly easy, but you will need to navigate some narrow sections that involve ducking under rocks. Along the way, you’ll be able to see stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, pendants, shields, and various unique rock formations.

Good walking shoes are a must and a jacket is recommended since it stays chilly inside the cave.

11. Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark

Located about a 1.5-hour drive from Sacramento near the small town of Volcano, Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark is one of the most remarkable caverns to visit in California. This vertical cave has 15 chambers, but during the guided tour, you’ll visit three of them.

During the hour-long tour, you’ll be able to observe hundreds of thousands of helictites that grow in every direction. Helictites are rare formations that can only be found in 5% of the caves worldwide.

Black Chasm Cavern has one of the largest collections of helictite crystals. During the tour, you’ll also observe a fascinating blue lake in one of the chambers 160 feet below ground. If you enjoy geology, it’s well worth a trip here!

Visiting Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark is suitable for all ages, but there are 5 sets of steep underground stairs that you will need to take here. It’s always 58°F inside the cave, so bring a jacket to stay warm.

Entrance tickets to Black Chasm Cavern cost $22 for adults (ages 13-64), $19 for seniors (ages 65+), and $14 for youth (ages 4-12), while kids under 3 are free. There are also military discounts offered.

12. California Cavern State Historic Landmark

California Cavern State Historic Landmark is another fascinating cave to visit in Central California. Opened in 1850, California Cavern was the first show cave to operate in the state.

California Cavern State Historic Landmark has a network of caves, tunnels, and underground lakes that stretches for 2.5 miles. Similar to Black Chasm Cavern, this cavern is also open to guided tours managed by Gold Country Adventures.

There are several guided tours that you can take here year-round. In the summer, you can book the hour-long Trail of Lights Tour, while in the winter, you can take the Trail of Lakes Tour.

In the summer, you can also book a couple more adventurous tours that include crawling through narrow passages, walking through knee-deep cave clay, and even a quick rafting trip underground!

General walking tours of California Cavern cost $22 for adults (ages 13-64), $19 for seniors (ages 65+), and $14 for youth (ages 4-12), while kids under 3 are free. There are also military discounts offered.

13. Bronson Caves

Bronson Caves is a small, man-made tunnel in Griffith Park, also known as the ‘Batman Cave’. This cave has been featured in many TV series and movies, most notably as the entrance into the Batcave in the 1960s show ‘Batman’.

To reach the cave, you can follow the Bronson Caves Trail from the AllTrails hiking app. This hike is only 0.7 miles long with 50 feet of elevation gain.

From this trail, you can enjoy views of the iconic Hollywood Sign. There are also some interesting rock circles near it.

Unfortunately, now the cave is closed to visitors with a fence due to erosion. You can see it from the outside, but walking inside is prohibited.

If you’re a movie buff, Bronson Caves is a worthwhile stop to see in LA!

Best Caverns And Caves In California Map:

Map Tip: Click on each location to see more details!

If you enjoy geology and unique destinations, you’ll love visiting these caves and caverns in California!

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This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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