Crystal Cave -
open for tours beginning
Saturday, May 10 through Sunday,
October 26, 2008
Come explore the underground beauty of Sequoia National Park! Walk by scenic
waterfalls on the half-mile trail to Crystal Cave. Beautiful stalactites and
curtains, impressively large rooms, and ornate marble polished naturally by a
subterranean stream make a tour of Crystal Cave an unforgettable experience.
LOCATION
Crystal Cave is located off the Generals Highway in Sequoia National Park,
between the Ash Mountain entrance and Giant Forest. To reach the cave, drive
down the scenic, winding, paved road to the cave parking lot. Hike down the
half-mile trail along beautiful Cascade Creek, where you will be met by a guide
at the cave entrance.
No buses, trailers, or vehicles over 22 feet
long are permitted on Crystal Cave road. Vans are acceptable.
TOURING THE CAVE
Anyone wishing to visit Crystal Cave must be part of a guided tour. Tour
tickets are not sold at the cave entrance. They must
be purchased in person at the Foothills or Lodgepole visitor centers in Sequoia
National Park. After purchasing tickets allow at least 1½ hours to arrive at the
cave.
PLEASE NOTE: The cave is not wheelchair accessible.
No tripods, walking sticks,
strollers, or baby backpacks are allowed in the cave.
Single canes, used for mobility, are allowed.
REGULAR TOUR
Before passing through the Spider Web Gate, your guide will give a brief history
of the cave and point out the unique formations and features. During the 45
minute tour, you will be led from room to room on paved lighted pathways,
pausing to listen to the water and echoes in the cave in total darkness.
Tours are usually limited to 50 persons.
Temperature in the cave is a constant 48 degrees F (9 degrees C). Sweaters or
jackets are recommended.
Schedule for May 10 - June 13
Open daily.
Saturday and Sunday - Tours on the hour
- 11 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM
Monday through Friday - Tours at 11 AM, 12 PM,
2 PM, 3 PM - additional tours added as needed.
Exception: Memorial Day Weekend – every
half hour from 10:30 AM to 5 PM. Additional tours if needed.
Schedule for June 14 - September 1
Open daily.
Monday through Friday 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM every
half hour
Saturdays plus 4th of July and Labor Day
weekend 10:00 to 5:00
Sunday 10:30 to 5:00 PM.
Schedule for September 2 - September
21 Open daily.
Saturday and Sunday - Tours on the hour -11 a.m., 12 PM, 1 PM. 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM
Monday through Friday - Tours at 11 AM,
12 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM - additional tours as needed
Schedule for September 22 - October
26 (weather permitting)
Open daily - the cave
season will end sooner in the event of snow.
Saturday Tours at 11
AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM
Sunday Tours at 11
AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM
Monday through Friday Tours at 11 AM, 1
PM, 2 PM
Schedule changes: Tour
times and schedules are subject to change due to weather, road conditions,
staffing, employee housing, park emergencies, or other requirements.
Cost:
Adults: $11.00
Seniors (age 62 & up): $10.00 for cardholder only
Children 6 -12: $6.00, under 6 are free
Golden Access - Free for cardholder only
SNHA members get a 50% discount.
Not a member? Find out
how to become one.
We also offer discounted and free tours of Crystal Cave for
school groups
and
non-profit groups. Requests for these tours must be received
by May 5, 2008 - otherwise no requests will be accepted again until September 2,
2008.
CAVES IN THE
CLASSROOM;
An in-school learning field trip!
We'd like to bring the magic and science
of Crystal Cave to your classroom! Caves in
the Classroom is an in-school
geology and earth science field trip designed to engage students in
standards-based learning while at the same time having fun.
Grades: 4 -12, assemblies or classes.
Kings, Tulare, Kern and Fresno counties
prioritized.
Duration: 45 - 60 minutes
Available: Mid-January to mid-April
Cost: $250. We'll drive to you!
Phone: (559) 565-4251 for more information
DISCOVERY TOUR
This popular 1½ hour tour is a more in-depth experience in smaller groups. It provides a deeper understanding of the geology and
wildlife of the cave environment. The tour is only available Monday through
Friday, once a day at 4:15 p.m.. Tours begin June 23rd and go through August 29,
2008 (excluding July 3rd & 4th). Limited to 16 persons, ages 13 and up.
Cost: $18.95/person $16.95/SNHA member
$17.95/Senior
WILD CAVE TOUR
Four to six hours crawling and climbing off-trail tour in Crystal Cave. Limited
to 6 persons, ages 16 and up. Cost: $129/person. SNHA members: $20
discount.
For more information, check
here.
In 2003, vandals destroyed hundreds of formations in three caves in Sequoia
National
Park,
including a dozen in the entranceway to Crystal Cave. SNHA created the
Protect Sequoia Caves Program to raise awareness about protecting caves and
other natural resources in our national parks. Proceeds from the sale of
this button go to this effort.
You can purchase a "Protect Sequoia Caves" t-shirt or button pin from our
online bookstore. Sales of these items support education and natural
resource protection programs in Sequoia National Park.
Since 1982, Crystal Cave has been operated by the Sequoia Natural History
Association, a non-profit educational organization, working in conjunction
with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to help make quality educational
programs available to the public.
