The dramatic landscape of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks testifies to nature's size, beauty, and diversity. Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, the world's largest trees, and CAVES decorate the landscape of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks! By some accounts, Sequoia National Park could have been set aside solely to protect the amazing caves found in this area. Come explore the underground world of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks on a Crystal Cave tour. Be led on a journey through this beautifully decorated cave and see magnificent formations, rare minerals, and a polished marble stream. Join a Field Institute naturalist for a unique adventure into the passages and through the impressive chambers of Crystal Cave to find your next unforgettable memories.

Crystal Cave is located near Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park.

From Foothills Visitor Center: take Generals Hwy, drive 13 miles (20 km). Turn left on to the Cave Road- look for a sign as you enter Giant Forest. Drive 6.5 miles (10 km) to the parking area.

From Lodgepole Visitor Center: turn left on to Generals Hwy. Drive 6.5 miles (10 km) through Giant Forest. Turn right on to the Cave Road. Drive 6.5 miles (10 km) to the parking area.​

TOUR DETAILS AND PRICES

FAMILY TOUR

After passing through the spiderweb gate, your guide will give you a brief history of the Cave and point out unique features and formations. You will then be led from room to room on paved, lighted pathways, pausing to listen to the water and echoes in the Cave in total darkness.
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Duration: 50 minutes
Ages: all ages
Limit: 50 participants per tour
Cost: Adult $16
          Youth (5-12 years) $8
          Child (under 5 years) $5
Purchase tickets: www.recreation.gov

THIRTEEN AND OLDER TOUR

After passing through the spiderweb gate, your guide will give you a brief history of the Cave and point out unique features and formations. You will then be led from room to room on paved, lighted pathways, pausing to listen to the water and echoes in the Cave in total darkness. Non-holiday weekends only.
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Duration: 50 minutes
Ages: 13 & older
Limit: 50 participants per tour
Cost: Adult $16
​Discounts for Seniors ​
​Purchase tickets: www.recreation.gov

DISCOVERY TOUR

Get an in-depth experience of Crystal Cave's geology and the interesting plants and animals living in and around the Cave. Participants meet their naturalist at the beginning of the trail and the group proceeds on their ecosystem exploration inside the Cave. The Cave portion of the tour is led by flashlight. Flashlights provided.
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Duration: 1.5 hours
Ages: 13 and up
Limit: 18 participants
Cost: $18 per person
​Purchase tickets: www.recreation.gov

WILD CAVE TOUR

Explore off-trail, crawl, and climb through passageways, over steep drop-offs and past intricate formations on a belly-crawling tour. This tour gives you the opportunity to learn about Sierran caves first hand. Your cave guide will explain how the delicate formations such as soda straws, rimstone dams and cave pearls are formed. Experience total darkness and silence interrupted only by the rhythmic sounds of dripping and flowing water. Expect to come away with great memories, new knowledge and insight, intermingled with sore muscles and a thick coating of dirt from head to toe. All participants must be in good physical condition to participate. 
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Duration: 4 to 6 hours
Ages: 16 and up
Limit: 6 people
Cost: $135 per person
Purchase tickets: www.recreation.gov

FAMILY CAVER TOUR

On this tour, your family will learn about the world of cave exploration by participating in your own cave adventure! Explorers will be provided with all the necessary gear- helmet, kneepads, light- before entering the Cave with two trained naturalists. The group will leave the paved trail, away from the tour lights, for a short trip to "The Well" that lies below the main level of Crystal Cave. Cavers must be in good physical condition, able to climb over large rocks and have no fear of small or enclosed spaces. Participants should expect to get dirty!
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Duration: 2.5 hours
Ages: 10 and up
Limit: 6 participants
Cost: $50 per person
​Purchase tickets: www.recreation.gov

SCHOOL RESERVATIONS
​School tours are available during the typical school year only. Advance registration required. Contact the group coordinator at SFI@sequoiaparks.org or 559.565.4251 for more information.

IMPORTANT INFO

VISITING THE PARKS
​Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer the following passes for purchase through a downloadable app: 
$35 Seven-Day Vehicle Pass 
$30 Seven-Day Motorcycle Pass 
$60 Sequoia and Kings Canyon Annual Pass
The line to get into the parks can be long during the summer season. Please allow plenty of time to get into the parks. 
​Visit www.nps.gov/seki for the most current travel information.

PURCHASING TICKETS
  • ​From March to September, tickets can purchased at www.recreation.gov. Purchasing tickets at least 30 days in advance is recommended. Occasionally, tickets may be available each day for purchase at the Foothills or Lodgepole Visitor Center. You must have tickets BEFORE arriving at the Cave. 
  • It is recommended to check for Cave conditions/updates at the visitor centers at least two hours prior to your tour- even if tickets were purchased online.
  • Tickets must be purchased at the Foothills Visitor Center or Lodgepole Visitor Center.
  • Tours run from mid-May through September. Weather permitting. Tours often sell out and are full on the weekends and during special tours. July and August are exceptionally busy. Purchasing tickets at least 30 days in advance is advised.
  • There are NO REFUNDS if you miss your tour.
  • The Cave may close at anytime due to weather or other circumstances. If the Cave must be closed and your tickets were purchased online, you need to request a refund from www.recreation.gov by calling 1.888.448-1474. You may return your tickets to the ticket outlet for a refund only if purchased in the visitor center.
  • Due to slippery conditions and stairs, tours are not recommended for children who are not old enough to walk on their own. Baby backpacks and strollers are not permitted.

TRAVELLING TO THE CAVE
  • You must allow 60 minutes from the Visitor Centers to get to the cave parking lot. Please plan to be in the parking lot 15 to 20 minutes prior to your designated tour time. Road construction may require delays. Follow the instructions provided by the staff when you purchase your tickets.
  • The road through the park is narrow, winding, and steep. Allow plenty of time to drive safely.
  • Vehicles over 22 feet (6.7 meters) and towed trailers are not allowed on the Cave Road.
  • The Cave Road closes one hour after the last tour of the day.

UPON ARRIVAL AT THE CAVE PARKING LOT
  • Due to black bear activity, you must place all food and scented items in the shared bear boxes provided in the parking area.
  • Pets are not allowed in the Cave interior or exterior, on the trail, or in unattended vehicles.
  • Use the restroom prior to meeting for your tour.  There are no restrooms on the trail or at the Cave entrance.
  • The Cave temperature is 50 degrees inside. A jacket is recommended.
  • The hike from the entrance is strenuous. Bring drinking water. There is no water available at the Cave.
  • Report to the gathering area at your designated tour time. 

TRAIL TO THE CAVE ENTRANCE
  • The 1/2 mile trail to the Cave is steep and strenuous with stairs.
  • The trail is paved but uneven and cannot accommodate wheelchairs.
  • There is poison oak growing near the trail - Stay clear and do not touch the plants.
  • Rattlesnakes and bees are sometimes encountered. Do not approach, and inform the staff if you see either.
  • Beware of rocks that may fall onto the trail and watch for obstacles.

INSIDE THE CAVE
  • Personal photography is permitted, but tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are not allowed. There is no flash photography allowed inside the Cave, including lights from video cameras. If you are interested in commercial filming in Crystal Cave, please visit www.nps.gov/seki for information.
  • No backpacks, bags, purses, hiking sticks, or baby carriers are allowed inside the Cave. They may be used for the hike to the Cave, but must be left unattended at the Cave entrance.
  • You may not consume food or beverages inside the Cave.
  • Do not carry loose items that could be dropped or lost in the Cave.
  • In the event of a power outage, flashlights will be provided. There are no refunds if the tour is completed with flashlights.

SAFETY MESSAGE
​Do not visit the Cave if you have claustrophobia, difficulty walking, heart/respiratory problem, recent surgery/illness, physical limitation, health problems or cannot walk a half mile in 20 minutes on a trail. There are no first aid facilities nearby. Visitors assume all risk of personal injury and loss/damage to property. The park is not responsible for your possessions left in your vehicle. The Cave is not recommended for young children who cannot walk on their own. 
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REFUND INFO
FOR TICKETS PURCHASED ON RECREATION.GOV
The Cave may close at anytime due to weather or other circumstances. If the Cave must be closed and your tickets were purchased online, you need to request a refund from www.recreation.gov by calling 1.888.448-1474.
FOR TICKETS PURCHASED IN THE VISITOR CENTER
​You may return your tickets to the ticket outlet for a refund.