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oregoncavesnps

@oregoncavesnps

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The official Instagram of Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve

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Join us this Saturday, October 10th from 8:00-9:30 pm for an exciting, family-friendly nighttime adventure and learn about light that you see at night! This one-mile ranger-led hike along the Old Growth Trail will explore hands-on demonstrations of different types of light, including UV fluorescence. 🦂

Be sure to bring warm layers, sturdy shoes, water, and a headlamp or flashlight, with red lights preferred.

This is our last night sky event of the season. We hope to see you there! by @oregoncavesnps

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10 days ago

Quick, head over to https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/251610/ticket/10253727 and book your Haunted Tour at Oregon Caves! Offered for the first time since 2018, these candlelight tours are available Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31, with nine tours each day. Tours are open to visitors ages 10 and older and cost $20 per person.

Led by park rangers, the candlelight tours introduce visitors to the cave’s nocturnal world and some of the lesser-known stories from Oregon’s past. Along the way, visitors may encounter bats and spiders and explore dark passages by candlelight - but there are no jump scares. by @oregoncavesnps

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14 days ago

September 13th, 2026, marks the first International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK), the United Nation's newest holiday!

But why celebrate caves?

Caves and karst landscapes provide water to more than a billion people, supporting communities all around the world. These spaces are home to endangered critters ranging from tiny flatworms to massive colonies of bats. 🦇 On top of that, nearly 25% of the Earth's land surface is covered by karst, including the Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve!

Interested in supporting caves and karst in your community?

The easiest way to get involved is by visiting nearby caves, including Oregon Caves! Another way to help is to tell your friends- the more our communities know about caves, the easier it is to preserve their splendor.

#OregonCaves #karst #idck #unesco #caving #internationaldayofcavesandkarst by @oregoncavesnps

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a month ago

Please join us at Oregon Caves for a ranger-led night sky talk on September 12th at 8pm! (weather permitting) We will be meeting in the parking lot to learn about the different nocturnal animals that call Oregon Caves home. Dress appropriately for the weather, bring a camp chair, and use a red-light headlamp if you have one. by @oregoncavesnps

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a month ago

Alert!!! Tonight's bat program has been cancelled due to weather. The colder rainy weather is not conducive to a successful bat capture and program. We are truly sorry for any inconvenience.
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Event reminder! Join us at Oregon Caves on August 30 and September 13 to learn about the many kinds of bats that call this park home. You'll see our experts capture and study a variety of bat species as well! There will be a short presentation outlining bat facts and the work we do at the caves.

The public events will last from around 6:30pm to 10pm, though bat capture may go on until midnight. Be sure to dress for cool weather, and we're excited to see you there! by @oregoncavesnps

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2 months ago

Today is a very special day as we continue our celebration of National Park Week. Today is the 110th birthday of the National Park Service! For over a century, the NPS has been protecting and preserving our amazing public lands for all to enjoy. Since National Park sites are always 10 out of 10 experiences, below we have highlighted a list of 10 things to do at Oregon Caves.

1. Go on a guided tour of the cave.
2. Take a hike!
3. Explore the Blind Leads.
4. Look for wildlife.
5. Admire the wildflowers.
6. Check out the historic buildings.
7. Listen to the peaceful sounds of Cave Creek and the River Styx.
8. Have a picnic.
9. Watch the sunset from the top of the Cliff Nature Trail.
10. Go stargazing.

#NationalParkWeek #OregonCaves #happybirthday #nps Go on a guided cave tour Here at Oregon Caves, you can only explore the cave under the guidance of a ranger. There are several different tours available, from the most popular Discovery tour to the historic Candlelight tour and more offered at different points in the year. Check out recreation.gov ahead of time to see what tours are available. NPS photo/ J Cleaver by @oregoncavesnps

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2 months ago

Happy America in Motion Monday! What’s your favorite way to explore our national parks? At Oregon Caves, visitors have the unique opportunity to join our off-trail caving tour and receive a rugged, guided experience of rarely seen sections of the cave. Whether on the off-trail or discovery tour, or hiking one of our six scenic trails, we encourage you to stay active and experience everything our national parks have to offer!

#NationalParkWeek #OregonCaves #motionmonday by @oregoncavesnps

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2 months ago

Safety Sunday at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve 🦇✨

104°F on the valley floor… 44°F underground!
When summer heat hits Cave Junction, there’s no cooler escape than exploring Oregon’s marble halls. Whether you're celebrating an NPS 250th event, vacationing with family, or simply wandering for the day, let the cave be your refuge—and let safety guide your adventure.

Above Ground: Stay Ready for the Heat
• Prepare for hot temps! Surface temperatures in summer and early fall often climb into the high 80s and low 90s—bring water, sun protection, and warm‑weather layers!
• Expect varied terrain. Trails can be steep, uneven, and exposed, so move with care and stay on designated routes.
• Plan ahead. Cell service is limited, so let someone know your itinerary and check conditions before you arrive.

Below Ground: Embrace the Cool Cave
• Layer up! Even when it’s blazing outside, the cave stays a crisp 44°F year‑round—bring cozy layers to stay comfortable!
• Watch your footing. Narrow passages, slick surfaces, and low ceilings mean slow and steady is the best way to explore.
• Respect wildlife. Give bats and cave creatures plenty of space and help protect delicate cave formations.

And our most important safety tip: Follow Ranger Guidance!

Rangers are here to help you explore responsibly and get the most out of your visit. No matter how you celebrate, recreating responsibly keeps Oregon Caves safe for everyone—and protects this remarkable part of the Siskiyou mountains for generations to come.

Photo credits I. Ekblom

#NationalParkWeek #OregonCaves #SafetySunday by @oregoncavesnps

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2 months ago

Who are these two little puffballs tucking their heads into their baby fluff? You might be surprised to find that these are two turkey vulture chicks! These two were discovered nesting at our preserve and have been growing up quickly before our eyes. They have been spotted squabbling over food dropped off by their parent (maybe not unlike you and your siblings...), practicing opening up their wings, and snuggled up outside their nest.

Turkey vultures play a crucial role in keeping our park clean and preventing the spread of disease. When other critters pass away, these birds use their incredibly acidic stomach acid to not only digest the carcass but deactivate much of the bacteria in it. In other words, these critters are not only scavenging food for themselves, but they're cleaning up bacteria in the process-- talk about nature's janitors!

Stay tuned for more as these chicks get ready to take flight! by @oregoncavesnps

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2 months ago

Please join us at Oregon Caves on August 30 and September 13 to learn about the many kinds of bats that call this park home. You'll see our experts capture and study a variety of bat species as well! There will be a short presentation outlining bat facts and the work we do at the caves.

Visitors are welcome to come and go as they please, but the events will start around 6:30pm with bat capture ending around midnight. Be sure to dress for cool weather, and we're excited to see you there! by @oregoncavesnps

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2 months ago

Hiya folks! We would like to invite you to help us clear Bigelow Meadow of invasive weeds this weekend on August 8th, 2026 at 9am. This beautiful, sub-alpine meadow is a national treasure, and we need all the help we can get protecting it!

Please note that the event will involve being in the sun for about 4 hours and includes a moderately strenuous one mile hike; come prepared with food, water, sunscreen, gloves, and a sturdy pair of shoes. by @oregoncavesnps

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2 months ago

Please join us for an evening of exploration as we delve into the wonderful world of moths! This free event will take place Monday, August 10th from 9-11pm in our lower parking lot (weather permitting).

Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own camp chairs! We also recommend bringing red lights for the best night sky visibility. Hope to see you there! by @oregoncavesnps

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3 months ago