Go Underground at Oregon Caves National Monument

Popcorn and soda straws aren't words you normally associate with caves, but you'll find them all at Oregon Caves National Monument right alongside stalactites, stalagmites, and striking flowstone formations. This unusual underground attraction has another claim to fame, too- it's an active, living marble cave millions of years old. Only five percent of the caves in the entire world are marble, so it's indeed rare to find one, much less be able to tour a cave with such diverse geology and unique calcite sculptures.

Unknown for millions of years, Oregon's marble caves were discovered in 1874. A hunter, Elijah Davidson, was looking for his dog, who in turn was chasing a bear. All three ended up deep in the dark cave, but luckily the story ended well for the hunter and his canine friend, Bruno-both man and dog found their way safely back to daylight, minus the bear! After the discovery, word of the wonderful marble caves spread quickly. In 1909, President Taft set aside 480 forested acres as Oregon Caves National Monument. In 1922, an automobile road reached the park, and in the early 1930s, a six-story chateau was built to provide overnight accommodations and meals for visitors.

While the wooded scenery is pretty, the real highlight of your visit is found down below- a 90-minute, half-mile cave tour. There are no self-guided tours. Instead, knowledgeable rangers lead small groups through a winding myriad of chambers containing dripstone formations. Some of the names of the rooms you stop in are as intriguing as the shapes you see there- the Imagination Room, the Banana Grove, Paradise Lost, and the massive Ghost Room. The tours move swiftly over uneven terrain, so watch your footing and for "headache" rocks. Your tour guide will point out cave popcorn, which was used like a compass. As air flowed in from the outdoors, water evaporated, resulting in a bumpy residue that helped early cave explorers find their way and discover new passages.

The incessant drip, drip, drip of water along the tour indicates that the cave is active and alive. Stalactites hang from the ceiling and stalagmites grow up from the bottom of the cave. A stalactite and stalagmite that has grown together forms a lumpy column. Soda straws are short stalactites that look as if they've been broken off, but really they just haven't formed into full-sized stalactites yet. Perhaps the most stunning stop on the cave tour is Paradise Lost. Seeing it requires climbing up 30 steep steps, but it's worth the extra effort. This small room contains parachute shaped draperies and columns that are actually remnants of an ancient waterfall.

Touring Oregon Caves has been a tradition for over a century, but it's not for everyone. Tours are considered moderately strenuous. Expect a total climb of 230 feet, including more than 500 stairs, many of which are steep and wet, but most have handrails. Several passages are narrow with low ceilings. Children must be at least 42 inches tall and able to walk and climb on their own. If you start out on the tour and find it's too difficult, you'll have the option to leave the cave 45 minutes into the tour. Wear good walking shoes and a jacket (year round cave temperature is 44 degrees), and be prepared to be amazed at the underground world! Although your first inclination might be to bring a flashlight, please do not because only rangers are permitted to carry them. Cave tour tickets are sold only at the Monument and are on a first-come, first-served basis. The busiest times are between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, so try to arrive earlier or later.

When your guided tour ends, you might want to warm up in the 1930's era coffee shop inside the 23-room Oregon Cave Chateau. Grab a stool at the old-fashioned lunch counter and enjoy a snack. This National Historic Landmark is considered one of the National Park's Great Lodges. At dinnertime, you can fine dine on local fare in the rustic yet elegant dining room. If you're a souvenir shopper, don't miss the locally crafted gifts and works of art in the gift gallery.