Adventure Awaits
There are many ways to responsibly and safely
explore the thousands of caves in California.
Click below to find out how to go caving.
Everyone Can Enjoy California’s Caves
What sort of adventure do you want in a California cave? Families can visit one of the state’s many tour caves, such as Lake Shasta Caverns in Shasta County or Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park. These caves have tours, paved trails and lights making them ideal for many people. Other caves have few improvements and are open for people to explore on their own such as Catacombs Cave in Lava Beds National Monument in Modoc County or Sunny Jim Sea Cave in San Diego County. For the adventurous there are wild caves scattered across the state. To stay safe, these cave visits require specialized equipment, proper training and a degree of physical fitness. The best way to see these caves is with a caving club, most of which are known as grottos. There are more than a dozen clubs in California. They can offer training and help with caving equipment. In caves, particularly wild ones, protecting cave features can be very important and difficult. Delicate mineral formations, ancient animal remains and rare species are just some of the resources to be protected. Check the links below for cave conservation and protection ideas and techniques.
Caves are fun to explore because of the beautiful things found inside and because of the physical challenges they can offer. They are often found in some of the prettiest parts of the state such as the Channel Islands, the Klamath Mountains, and the Mojave Desert. Cave exploration in wild caves is closely related to other outdoor sports such as rock climbing and hiking. Many wild caves require ropes to be entered or fully explored. Check below for ideas and information on safe caving.
