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California cave guides

Use this hub to compare the published cave guides in California before you open a full destination page.

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Overview

Published cave guides in California

California currently has 5 published cave guides, including Black Chasm Cavern, California Cavern, State Historic Landmark, and Lake Shasta Caverns.

The main launch points on this hub are Volcano, Mountain Ranch, and Lakehead.

Featured Caves

Start with these cave pages in California

These are the strongest starting points on this page.

Stop 03

Lake Shasta Caverns

Lakehead, California / Late spring through fall, though tours generally operate year-round when weather cooperates

Official Map

Stop 04

Mercer Caverns

Murphys, California / Late spring through fall, with reduced Thursday-through-Monday operations outside summer

Official Map

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California cave pages

Current cave pages in California

Showing 5 cave pages in California.

01 Inside Black Chasm Cavern

CA / Volcano, California

Black Chasm Cavern

While Black Chasm Cavern was likely known about by the local Miwok people who existed in this area long before the gold rush, the first documented exploration occurred in 1854 when a grou...

Best timing
May to October
Drive note
Boat availability depends on river conditions more than reservations; wet weather can stop tours, and the Myst'ry River route is not handicapped accessible.
Official Map
02 Inside California Cavern, State Historic Landmark

CA / Mountain Ranch, California

California Cavern, State Historic Landmark

Calaveras County cave near Mountain Ranch with seasonal guided walking routes, one of California's oldest public cave histories, and reservation-only spelunking trips that go far beyond a standard show-cave walk.

Best timing
Late spring through fall, but check reopening status first because the official site still says closed for the season as of March 22, 2026
Drive note
Do not trust GPS for the final approach; follow the official San Andreas and Mountain Ranch directions and confirm the cave has reopened for the season before driving out.
Official Map
03 Inside Lake Shasta Caverns

CA / Lakehead, California

Lake Shasta Caverns

Shasta County cave trip that starts with a catamaran ride and bus climb before a guided limestone tour through decorated rooms, humid air, and more than 600 stair steps.

Best timing
Late spring through fall, though tours generally operate year-round when weather cooperates
Drive note
Treat it as a two-hour boat-bus-cave outing and be honest about the 600-plus stairs; winter departures can be canceled for weather.
Official Map
04 Inside Mercer Caverns

CA / Murphys, California

Mercer Caverns

Gold Country cave near Murphys with a compact 45-minute guided tour, an older stair-heavy feel, and a stronger history than its short route suggests.

Best timing
Late spring through fall, with reduced Thursday-through-Monday operations outside summer
Drive note
Check the first and last tour times before driving in; summer runs daily, but the rest of the year shifts to Thursday through Monday.
Official Map
05 Inside Moaning Caverns, Adventure Park

CA / Vallecito, California

Moaning Caverns, Adventure Park

Gold Country cave stop known for California's largest public chamber, a 100-foot spiral staircase, and a split between the family Spiral Tour and the high-effort Expedition Tour.

Best timing
Year-round
Drive note
The Spiral Tour still means 235 total stairs, while the Expedition Tour is a separate reservation-only route for visitors 12 and older.
Official Map