History tells us that Elijah Davidson discovered the Oregon Caves in 1874, when his dog, Bruno, became lost in them pursuing a bear. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say Bruno discovered the cave but Elijah was able to tell about it. In any case, explorers were fascinated with the caves. In 1907, the poet Joaquin Miller visited the caves and wrote of them as “the wondrous marble halls of Oregon.” In order to preserve the caves, President William Howard Taft proclaimed them a national monument in 1909. They have been under the jurisdiction and administration of the United States Forest Service since 1934.
Today the caves provide an adventure in geology and underground life for visitors. Stalactites and stalagmites are formed into eerie sculptures by the seeping water and shifting air currents. Some restrictions are placed on visitors because of hazards in the deeper reaches of the cave, but the first room is accessible to users of canes, walkers, and manually operated wheelchairs, as well as to small children. The caves are open for tours from May to November, depending on weather conditions. Temperatures in the cave remain in the 40 degree F. range all year, so warm clothing is a must, along with rubber-soled shoes. Complete tours cover about ½ mile, some of it through narrow passages, and last about 75 minutes.
The caves are set in an old-growth forest rich in a array of animals and plants found nowhere else. The Chateau, a six-story hotel, provides overnight accommodations and food, and the Forest Service maintains two campgrounds, Grayback and Cave Creek, along Hwy. 46. For information and reservations at The Chateau, click the link or call (541) 592-3400. |