Guided underground tour through a marble cavern featuring dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone formations accessed via a steep forest trail.
General Information
Tours available daily from 9am to 3pm
Children under 10: $11
Park entrance fee required separately (Vehicle: $35, Motorcycle: $30, Individual: $20)
Tickets must be purchased online in advance; not sold at the cave
How to Get There
From Foothills Visitor Center (19.5 mi): Drive 13 miles north on Generals Highway, turn left onto Cave Road, and continue 6.5 miles on a narrow winding road to the Crystal Cave parking area.
Overview
The Crystal Cave is a stunning marble cavern tucked beneath the forest floor of Sequoia National Park. Accessible only by guided tour, the cave reveals a subterranean world of glittering formations, echoing chambers, and cool, damp air. Visitors begin their journey with a half-mile hike through lush forest before descending into the cave’s dramatic interior, where stalactites and stalagmites have formed over millions of years. The 50-minute tour, led by naturalists from the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, offers insights into the cave’s geology, ecology, and history, making it a favorite among families and geology enthusiasts alike.
Open seasonally from late spring through early fall, Crystal Cave provides a refreshing escape from the summer heat with its constant 50°F interior temperature. Due to its fragile ecosystem, access is limited to ticketed tours, which must be reserved online in advance. The cave was closed for several years following wildfire and storm damage but reopened in 2025 with restored infrastructure and enhanced safety measures. With its blend of adventure, education, and natural beauty, Crystal Cave is one of the park’s most captivating attractions.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Crystal Cave, which are released under the
