Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve
Cave Junction, OR
A marble cave in the Siskiyou Mountains, seen on ranger-led tours from spring to autumn. OR-46 climbs 20 winding miles from Cave Junction and is not recommended for trailers; book tours ahead in summer.
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve lies in the Siskiyou Mountains of south-western Oregon and protects a marble cave that the poet Joaquin Miller dubbed the “Marble Halls of Oregon”. Elijah Davidson found the cave in 1874, and President William Howard Taft protected the area in 1909. Today the preserve covers about 1,800 hectares (4,500 acres).
You can enter the cave only on a ranger-led tour; the route through the cave is about 800 meters (half a mile) long. Above ground, the Big Tree Trail, for example, leads to a very large Douglas fir, and the hiking trails are open year-round. Cave tours run from late March to early November (as of October 2026); advance reservations through Recreation.gov are strongly recommended. The historic Chateau was still closed at the start of the 2026 season (as of March 2026).
The approach is Oregon Route 46 from Cave Junction, about 30 kilometers (19 miles); allow at least an hour. The last miles are narrow and winding, vehicles over 46 feet (about 14 meters) are prohibited, and large RVs and trailers are not recommended. Don't rely on GPS alone.
- Nearest town
- Cave Junction, OR
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.0983, -123.4063
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- KOA JourneyMotorhome stopover13 mi from Oregon Caves National Monument and PreserveMotorhomes
- Josephine Creek CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve · 6 pitchesTentsFree
- Mid River RV ParkMotorhome stopover21 mi from Oregon Caves National Monument and PreserveMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Sixmile CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Oregon Caves National Monument and PreserveTents
- River Bench CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Oregon Caves National Monument and PreserveTents
- Grider Creek CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve · 10 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterFree
All campsites in Oregon · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve?
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is in Cave Junction, OR, at GPS 42.0983, -123.4063. It is about 31 mi from Medford.
Can you camp near Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Greyback campground, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve?
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Northern redwoods and the Oregon Caves on US-199.
What is there to see near Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve?
Places worth a stop nearby: Jacksonville Historic District (27 mi), Stout Memorial Grove (41 mi), Natural Bridges Viewpoint (50 mi) and Arch Rock Viewpoint (50 mi).
When is the best time to visit Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)