In 1849 or 1850, Captain Joseph Taylor was target practising on a rocky outcropping and noticed that his targets were being moved by a breeze which seemed to emanate from the rocks. When he investigated this curious phenomenon, he discovered the entrance to a cave which he named Mammoth Cave.
 In 1850, Captain Taylor opened the cave for public tours, making it the first show cave in the state of California. Click on the interactive map at left to see the original walk tour trail, in comparison with the current, longer walk tour trail which was established in 1980, after the cave was renamed California Cavern.
 Early visitors included Bret Harte, Mark Twain and John Muir who wrote abouthis visit in "Chapter 15 - In the Sierra Foot-Hills" of his 1894 book "The Mountains of California" when it was called Cave City Cave. For 150 years, visitors have enjoyed the unique delicate beauty of the cavern's crystalline formations. Some speleothems, such as the beaded helictites found in the Middle Earth area are very rare. Others are so numerous as to be spectacular, such as the "Jungle Room's" array of stalactites. Besides 2 fun walking tours, we also offer the wonderful opportunity to participate in underground adventures - our professionally guided wild cavern spelunking trips - the Mammoth Cave Expedition and Middle Earth Expedition. Scroll down the page to learn more about each activity..
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 The Trail of Lights Walk Tour - available DRY season only
This guided tour is suitable for the whole family and is only available during our dry season. In our wet season, the Trail of Lakes tour is available (see below).
The Trail of lights is approximately 60 - 80 minutes, and meanders over nearly level, well lighted passages and walkways. There are approximately 60 steps throughout this tour. Experienced, professional guides lead groups into the recently discovered "Jungle Room," named for the array of crystalline "vines" covering the ceiling, many of them several feet long. Groups learn about the rich history of the cavern and the surrounding countryside, and cavern formation and geology. For safety reasons, we do not allow children to be carried in backpacks on this tour. Small babies in front packs/slings are okay.
 FACTS AT A GLANCE: Trail of Lights Walk Tour
FREE birthday activity eligible. What's this?
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| Adventure Scale: 1.5 |
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| Availability |
DRY season only |
Regular cost per person
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$14.95 adult, $7.95 child (ages 3 - 12)
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| Length of trip |
60 - 80 minutes |
| Group size |
Up to 25 people |
| Underground temperature |
55°F year round |
| Making reservations |
Reservations necessary for GROUPS ONLY: call toll free any day of the week: 866-762-2837. Group discounts available. |
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 The Trail of Lakes Walk Tour - available WET season only
This guided tour is suitable for the whole family and is only available during our wet season. During the wet season we refer to the cavern tour as the Trail of Lakes tour, due to the pools of water that form throughout the cavern when the water table rises. Depending on the time of year, a few rooms may not be accessible because of the high water. But in trade, you enjoy the mirror effect of the water reflecting the crystalline formations along the trail.
The Trail of lakes is approximately 60 - 80 minutes, and meanders over nearly level, well lighted passages and walkways. There are approximately 60 steps throughout this tour. Experienced, professional guides lead groups into the recently discovered "Jungle Room," named for the array of crystalline "vines" covering the ceiling, many of them several feet long. Groups learn about the rich history of the cavern and the surrounding countryside, and cavern formation and geology. For safety reasons, we do not allow children to be carried in backpacks on this tour. Small babies in front packs/slings are okay.
FACTS AT A GLANCE: Trail of Lakes Walk Tour
FREE birthday activity eligible. What's this?
|
| Adventure Scale: 1.5 |
|
| Availability |
WET season only |
Regular cost per person
|
$14.95 adult, $7.95 child (ages 3 - 13)
|
| Length of trip |
50 - 60 minutes |
| Group size |
Up to 25 people |
| Underground temperature |
55°F year round |
| Making reservations |
Reservations necessary for GROUPS ONLY: call toll free any day of the week: 866-762-2837. Group discounts available. |
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 The Mammoth Cave Expedition
 Groups explore the historic "Mammoth Cave" area and "Jungle Room," walking, crawling, wiggling, and squirming through natural passages that connect through thirteen chambers. This extended cavern trip is perfect for those who desire something more than a walk, but less stamina is needed compared to the other adventures offered. All tight crawl ways and squeezes are optional. Participants must be at least 8 years old, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Trip time is about 2-3 hours. If you are interested in taking this trip, you will need to call 209-736-2708 to make reservations. To see how to prepare for your trip, HERE for Expedition Preparation.
| FACTS AT A GLANCE: Mammoth Cave Expedition |
| Adventure Scale: 3.5 |
 |
| Availability |
DRY season only |
| Minimum age |
8 years if accompanied by parent |
Regular cost per person
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$99 per person |
| Length of trip |
2 - 3 hours |
| Group size |
Up to 9 people |
| Underground temperature |
55°F year round |
| Equipment provided |
Hardhat with lights, gloves, coveralls |
| Making reservations |
Call toll free any day of the week: 866-762-2837. This activity REQUIRES advance reservations. |
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 The Middle Earth Expedition
Groups explore approximately 80% of the cavern system from the east entrance to the western most exit. The circuit is about a mile long, so stamina is required! The first hour of the trip consists of walking, crawling and squeezing through the historic "Mammoth Cave" area. Then groupspass through the "Middle Earth" area which was discovered in 1980. Here there is mostly walking through nearly knee deep, sticky cave clay (high top shoes are a must) and the scenery is incredibly beautiful. The remainder of the trip consists of exploring the horizontal fissures in the "Cave of the Quills" area and a quick, 70-foot rafting trip across "Tom's Lake." The trip concludes with passages filled with "goo," more beautiful crystalline rooms, and then ascending ladders to sunshine and showers. Participants must be at least 16 years old, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Trip time varies depending on the number of participants and ranges from 2-1/2 to a maximum of 4 hours. If you are interested in taking this extended cave trip, you will need to call 209-736-2708 to make reservations. To see how to prepare for your trip, HERE for Expedition Preparation. To get more of an idea of what spelunking looks like, click here to read an account of one Middle Earth Expedition and to see some amateur pictures.
The Middle Earth Expedition makes an exceptional team building activity.
| FACTS AT A GLANCE: Middle Earth Expedition |
| Adventure Scale: 5 |
 |
| Availability |
DRY season only |
| Minimum age |
16 years if accompanied by parent |
Regular cost per person
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$130 per person |
| Length of trip |
Up to 4 hours |
| Group size |
Up to 9 people |
| Underground temperature |
55°F year round |
| Equipment provided |
Hardhat with lights, gloves, coveralls |
| Making reservations |
Call toll free any day of the week: 866-762-2837. This activity REQUIRES advance reservations. |
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