Location: Cave Junction
Top Things to do in Cave Junction
8 Nature & Parks in Cave Junction That You Shouldn't Miss
Cave Junction, incorporated in 1948, is a city in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,883. Its motto is the "Gateway to the Oregon Caves", and the city got its name by virtue of its location at the junction of Redwood Highway (U.S. Route 199) and Caves Highway (Oregon Route 46). Cave Junction is located in the Illinois Valley, where, starting in the 1850s, the non-native economy depended on gold mining. After World War II, timber became the main source of income for residents. As timber income has since declined, Cave Junction is attempting to compensate with tourism and as a haven for retirees. Tourists visit the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, which includes the Oregon Caves Chateau, as well as the Out'n'About treehouse resort and the Great Cats World Park zoo.
Restaurants in Cave Junction
1. Illinois River Forks State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
2. Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 586 reviews
ALERT: The Oregon Caves Chateau will be closed for rehabilitation throughout 2019 and 2020. Cave tours are still available late March through early November. The Oregon Caves is a place of adventure, wonder, and discovery. Join your guide and a small party of fellow cave explorers for a 90-minute tour. The route wends through narrow, twisting passages with ceilings as low as 45 inches! See strangely beautiful of stalactites, stalagmites, and other mysterious calcite flowstones. The route is moderately strenuous and not recommended for people with breathing, heart, knee or back issues. Children must be 42” tall or taller, no exceptions. The cave is 44 degrees year round. Tours are popular in the summer. Arrive early to avoid long waits or closures. Reservations are available at Recreation.gov. Cave tours offered late March to early November. There are a few wonderful trails to explore on the surface.
Reviewed By Mraschio - Milwaukie, United States
The local guides make it informative and entertaining to do a tour. We started and did a lil short of a mile hike over top of cliff area with amazing vista views of sprawling forests. Then we got to do the caves. Make a reservation. The temp was nice and cool and it wasn’t too difficult to get around. Our four year old just made it past height minimum of 42inchs. There was a bail out point about 1/4 of the way through but we held steady and made it all the way through. We’ve done a fair amount of caving and I think the coolest part of this cave system was that it’s mostly marble stone.
3. Mt. Elijah
4. Great Cats World Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Reviewed By Asindria - Grants Pass, United States
We arrived right at opening $15 per person. We waited maybe 10 minutes for the tour to start but we got to see the baby kitties while we waited so that was super entertaining. Our tour guide was funny and very knowledgeable. I felt like I was blasted with information about each species and the individual cat as well. She brought all cats willing to participate to the front of their enclosure and showed them off to everyone...best up close encounter I could have asked for. The tour lasted about 2 hours. We roamed around on our own as well after the tour. Just a really nice time and well worth the money. I would defiantly recommend and will be back!
5. Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area
6. Tiger Preservation Center
7. Rusk Ranch Nature Center
Enjoy Nature Discovery at the Butterfly Pavilion, Lush Hummingbird Gardens, Frog Town, Carnivorous Plant exhibit, and Natural Playground. The park is perfect for all ages. The park is open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday, May 24th to middle of October.
8. Rough and Ready Flat Botanical Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
