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| Home | Black Chasm Cavern| California Cavern | Gold Cliff Mine | Moaning Cavern |
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HOW TO USE THIS PAGE
The best way to find answers to your questions is to read the questions in the column below left, clicking on those that best fit your own questions. Answers will appear below. You may also use the search box above right, to search the entire website, not just the FAQ pages.
If you cannot find answers to your questions, please call us 9 am - 5 pm any day of the week at (209) 736-2708 or toll free (866) 762-2837 or email us by clicking HERE. |
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How accessible are the different locations?
What are the age & size limits?
What else is there to do in the area?
What are the best times to visit?
Can I bring my camera?
How should I dress?
Do I qualify for a discount?
What facilities are at the caverns & gold mines?
Can I bring food and drinks underground?
What are the operating dates & times?
What information can you give private pilots?
Where can I stay nearby?
What are the regular prices?
What are the discount prices?
How and when should I make reservations?
What are the driving conditions in the area?
How safe are the tours & expeditions?
What are the tour sizes?
What kinds of tours & trips are at each location?
What travel distances & times should I allow?
Can I use my own equipment?
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A: None of our caverns is wheelchair accessible. We describe the kind of terrain on the WALK TOUR at each venue below, to help you determine if you will be able to take our tours. All of our EXPEDITIONS are far less accessible, which adds to the adventure! On those trips, crawling, climbing and squeezing through the natural wet, rocky and muddy environment is necessary.
We do not recommend any of our walk tours to people who are claustrophobic, and those who have a fear of heights are likely to encounter problems at Moaning Cavern and Black Chasm.
Black Chasm Cavern Walk Tour
The Landmark Tour consists of a descent of approximately 60 feet down five flights of stairs onto four viewing platforms at different levels into the Colossal Chamber. A shallow staircase is climbed taking groups to the Landmark portal where another stairacase is then climbed down into the Landmark Room. For this reason, strollers and wheelchairs cannot negotiate the trail and children may not be carried in backpacks. Small children in front packs are okay with care. The same stairs are climbed to exit the cave.
California Cavern Walk Tour
An approximately 1000-foot long unpaved trail with small protruding rocks and roots to cavern entrance. Trail inside cavern is fairly level on natural cavern floor which may be slightly muddy. There are a few steps along the trail. Total length of tour is 1500 feet. A few places have low ceilings that require walking in a bent position; therefore, backpacks cannot be worn. You take the same outside trail back to the visitor center.
Moaning Cavern Walk Tour
The entrance to the cavern is accessed from inside the gift shop. The tour descends 235 steps (144 of which are on the 100-foot spiral staircase) to a depth of 165 feet, then comes back up the same steps.
Due to the sometimes narrow and uneven nature of the cavern passages, wheelchairs and strollers are not able to negotiate the trails. In addition, the occasional low ceiling does not allow for infants to be carried in backpacks.
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