Oregon Caves National Monument Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
national monument in the United States
About Oregon Caves National Monument
The first person known to have entered the cave was Elijah Davidson, who followed his dog Bruno into the cave while pursuing a bear in late November 1874. After venturing into the cave and exhausting his supply of matches the hunter was forced to crawl in darkness out of the cave, following the underground river for guidance. At the urging of his brother, Davidson returned to the cave in 1877, this time with more light, to further explore the cave. While few people visited the cave in the ten years after its discovery, the following two decades saw several private investors try (and fail) to turn the cave into a tourist attraction. President Taft declared the area a national monument in 1909, and the construction of the Caves Highway in 1922 resulted in a huge increase in visitors to the
Top Attractions in Oregon Caves National Monument
Explore the best things to see and do in Oregon Caves National Monument:
- ★Bigelow Lakes - Mount Elijah Loop
- ★Big Tree Trail
- ★Candlelight Cave Tour
- ★Cave Creek Trail
- ★Chalet Visitor Center
- ★Cliff Nature Trail
- ★General Cave Tour
- ★Haunted Candlelight Tour
Where to Eat in Oregon Caves National Monument
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Caves Cafe
- 🍴Chateau Dining Room
Where to Stay in Oregon Caves National Monument
- 🏨Cave Creek Campground
- 🏨Grayback Campground
- 🏨The Chateau at the Oregon Caves
Oregon Caves National Monument Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: