CAVE INFORMATION
Crystal Cave is scheduled to open May 11, 2013.
LOCATION
Crystal Cave is located off the Generals Highway in Sequoia National Park, between the Ash Mountain entrance and Giant Forest. A half-mile hike is required to get to the cave entrance. No buses, trailers or vehicles over 22 feet long are permitted on the Crystal Cave road. Travel time to the Cave may be affected by on-road construction in the parks. Click here or current road construction schedules and delays.
WHAT YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT
1. Crystal Cave is open mid-May through November.
FIVE DIFFERENT TOURS AVAILABLE:
DAILY TOUR
HISTORIC CANDLELIGHT TOUR
DISCOVERY TOUR
WILD CAVE TOUR
JUNIOR CAVER TOUR
2. Tours are often full on the weekends and daily in July and August. Purchasing tickets by 9:00AM is advised. You may buy tickets a day in advance, but there may be times when tickets are only purchased for same-day tours
3. You must purchase your tickets at the Foothills or Lodgepole Visitor Centers before driving down to the cave parking lot. Tickets are not sold at the cave. No phone or internet ticket purchases are available.
4. You must allow 1½ hours of travel time from either visitor center where you purchase your ticket and the cave tour itself for travel time.
5. The hike from the parking lot to the cave entrance is a strenuous ½ mile hike. The cave is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
6. Temperature in the cave is a constant 48 degrees. Sweaters or light jackets are recommended.
7. Photography is permitted, but tripods are not allowed. If you are interested in filming in Crystal Cave, please call 559.565.3131 for a filming permit.
8. No baby backpacks or walking sticks are allowed inside the cave. Single canes, used for mobility, are allowed.
9. The cave is located in a remote area. Bring drinks and snacks and store your food in the bear box available.
10. Tour schedule is subject to change at any time due to weather, road conditions, park emergencies or other requirements.
11. Due to occasional electrical outages, tours may be conducted with the cave lights off. Visitors will be provided flashlights. There are no refunds if lighting goes out part way through your tour.
12. All cave visitors must comply with the following procedures:
White Nosed Syndrome (WNS) is not known to affect humans, but can be carried by visitors. WNS has not reached Crystal Cave. You can help save our park bats by doing the following: b) Shoes must be sanitized. Before entering the cave you must walk over a mat that applies a sanitizing solution to the sole (Lysol). The Park cannot be held responsible for damage this may cause. c) Camera or flashlight that has been in another cave must be sanitized. Request a free disinfectant wipe when you arrive at the cave booth.
ATTENTION
White Nose Syndrome Affecting Bats
A serious problem is affecting and killing bats in caves in the eastern portion of the United States. Although Crystal Cave tours are not affected at this time, anyone who has been caving in other caves, especially in the eastern U.S. must not wear the same clothing or equipment when visiting Crystal Cave. This will reduce the spread of the problem. For more information on White Nose Syndrome visit:
http://nature.nps.gov/multimedia/wns01/index.cfm