Crystal Cave
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, CA
While there are almost 300 caves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, none are consistently open to the public—except Crystal Cave, a geological wonder of polished marble and sparkling stalactites lying below the national park’s famed sequoia groves. Guided tours take travelers past mesmerizing rock formations, intricate passages, and stalactite-filled chambers.
The basics
Due to the cave’s fragile rock formations, access is restricted to guided tours. Book your tickets online through the Sequoia Park Conservancy at least 36 hours in advance (two months ahead of time is recommended), and walk through the cave via a short loop trail. Standard tours enter through the “spider gate” and typically visit junction areas, upper regions, and Marble Hall, the largest cave chamber. Other tours explore with candle lanterns along off-trail passageways.
Things to know before you go
It’s always about 50℉ (10℃) degrees inside the cave, so bring a jacket.
Tickets are exclusively available online and are not sold at the cave entrance.
Assisted listening devices are available for every tour group.
Plan to spend about half a day reaching the cave and taking a 50-minute tour.
Tours are available for all ages.
Vehicles longer than 22 feet (7 meters) and those towing trailers are not allowed on Crystal Cave Road.
How to get there
Crystal Cave lies in Sequoia National Park at the end of Crystal Cave Road, a winding 7-mile (11-kilometer) route off Generals Highway. At the road's end, there’s a parking lot and a steep 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) walk to the cave entrance. From either the Lodgepole or Foothills visitor center, you'll need about one hour to drive to the parking area and additional time to walk to the cave entrance.
When to get there
Guided tours of Crystal Cave, offered by the Sequoia Parks Conservancy roughly from mid-May to November, need to be reserved online at least 36 hours in advance, and buying your tickets up to two months ahead is recommended. Tours are typically available Thursday through Sunday, from morning to late afternoon, and are not available Monday through Wednesday.
Rock formations inside Crystal Cave
Inside Crystal Cave, you'll see a number of rock formations that are found in cave systems throughout Sequoia National Park. Among them are long stone curtains, stalagmites, rimstone pools, and helictites—formations that grow in unusual directions. The caves also feature colorful mineral deposits, so look out for blue, green, and yellow forms, among others, as you explore.
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