Boyden Cavern
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, CA
This privately operated marble cavern in the Sequoia National Forest offers seasonal walking tours, allowing you to wander among its unusual rock formations. Visit to get close to stalactites, flowstones, and other geological features formed over thousands of years below the marble-laden mountain and walls of the Windy Cliff and Kings Canyon area.
The basics
While some multi-day tours of Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park visit Boyden Cavern, you can also book walking tours (lasting 45–60 minutes) in person or online with the US Forest Service Partner that oversees the cave. In addition to standard walking tours, private extended tours spend more time inside the cave with fewer crowds, and small-group flashlight tours explore with headlamps and flashlights.
Things to know before you go
- To access the cave, you must first enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and pay the park entrance fee.
- It’s always cool inside the cave—bring an extra layer to stay comfortable.
- You cannot bring any pets inside the cavern. To bring a service dog, let the staff know ahead of your visit.
- Guidelines require leaving camera supports, walking sticks, and bags of any kind (besides front baby carriers) outside.
- The cave is not wheelchair accessible.
- Prepare for little to no cell phone reception in the area.
How to get there
Boyden Cavern lies about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of General Grant Grove—home to the famed General Grant Tree—on California Highway 180 East. From Fresno, the nearest urban center, take Highway 180 east and enter Kings Canyon National Park on East Kings Canyon Road. Head north and continue past Grant Grove Village—the turnoff for the cave is just past the Convict Flat Campground.
When to get there
Tours of Boyden Cave are typically available daily from late April to mid-November, though the exact times and dates can change depending on weather conditions and the time of year; it’s best to book your tour in advance online. The opening of the cave depends on the conditions of Highway 180, which closes in the winter due to snowfall. Always check road conditions online before your visit.
Special tours of Boyden Cavern
For a more personalized experience at Boyden Cavern, consider booking the Private Extended Walking Tour. This tour allows your group extra time to explore the cavern, lasting between 65 and 75 minutes, and is ideal for those wanting to linger near rock formations and follow their own pace. Additionally, Flashlight Tours offer more adventurous visitors the chance to experience these underground surroundings in smaller groups, with only headlamps and flashlights for light.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!