A: Scroll down to see tours and trips for each location. Locations are in alphabetical order:


Black Chasm Cavern

Landmark Walk Tour
This tour consists of a descent of about 60 feet, down five flights of stairs into the large Main Hall chamber. Well-lit stalactites, stalagmites, long helictites, draperies, flowstones, columns and giant keystone bridges lodged high in the walls can be seen. Visitors also view the clear mysterious lakes one hundred feet below, while learning about the rich history and geology of this spectacular landmark cavern as well as the surrounding countryside. The trail continues on further into the cavern, crossing a bridge above an 80-foot drop to the lake below. It continues to wind around the cavern walls, and ends in the Landmark Room which contains the most spectacular arrays of helictite crystals in the known cave system. For safety reasons, we do not allow children to be carried or to be taken in back packs for this tour. Small children in front packs are okay with care.


Boyden Cavern

Traditional Walk Tour
This popular 45-minute tour is suitable for the entire family, from kids to senior citizens. The tour begins with a five-minute walk to the cavern entrance and from there visitors travel deep within, where the temperature is a constant 55°F. Groups follow a well-lighted and hand-rail equipped trail as guides point out many natural varieties of formations including stalactites, stalagmites, sparkling crystal covered flowstones, draperies and rimstone pools. During the warmer months, visitors may be given the option to return to the entrance via the lower trail which is the stream bed.


California Cavern

Trail of Lights Walk Tour
This walking tour is suitable for the whole family. The tour is approximately 60 - 80 minutes long, and meanders over nearly level, well lighted passages and walkways. 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. Learn about the rich history of the cavern and the surrounding countryside, and cavern formation and geology.

Trail of Lakes Walk Tour
This walking tour is suitable for the whole family and covers part of the Trail of Lights tour. This tour takes place in the wet season when the cave is at its most picturesque, with clear, mysterious pools of water. This trail does not include the Jungle Room. Learn about the rich history of the cavern and the surrounding countryside, and cavern formation and geology.

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 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 crawlways and squeezes are optional. This trip is offered spring through fall, depending on the weather. Trip time is about 2-3 hours, and is appropriate for ages 8 and up. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Middle Earth Expedition
Groups explore approximately 80% of the cavern system from the east entrance to the westernmost 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 groups pass 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. Trip time vaires depending on the number of participants and ranges from 2-1/2 to a maximum of 4 hours, and is appropriate for ages 16 and up. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.


California Cavern

Trail of Lights Walk Tour
This walking tour is suitable for the whole family. The tour is approximately 60 - 80 minutes long, and meanders over nearly level, well lighted passages and walkways. 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. Learn about the rich history of the cavern and the surrounding countryside, and cavern formation and geology.


Gold Cliff Mine

The Adventure Trip
Step back in time as you explore the historic Gold Cliff Mine located in the heart of the Mother Lode. The “Gold Cliff Adventure Trip” is a truly unique experience, combining challenging exploration with Gold Rush era history and folklore.

The expedition begins with a brief surface tour that includes historical information about the mine and discussion about the many structures that once stood on the property. In its heyday, between 1885 and 1918, the Gold Cliff’s shaft descended about 5,100 feet beneath the surface and produced almost 3 million dollars worth of gold.

From there the group goes below ground, beginning with a 20-foot crawl into the first chamber. Knowledgeable guides then navigate visitors through the mines’ deeper passages and chambers. The route includes steep diagonal hiking, climbing and crawling using knotted hand-lines and negotiating loose rubble. The total distance traveled is approximately half a mile and includes exploration of two large chambers, rafting across a flooded 5100-foot deep mine shaft and the possibility of seeing bats, millipedes and other creatures.

After returning to the surface groups continue on to a second mine location. The vertical entrance is hidden within a picturesque precipice overlooking a canopy of trees. Using hand-lines to descend, groups make their way into the shaft where the actual entrance is revealed. This smaller mine contains a seasonal lake of clear water and beautiful examples of calcite formations including flowstone, ribbons and soda straws.

Total trip time is between 2-1/2 and 3-1/2 hours long. Temperature is 65 - 70 degrees farenheit underground. Available for ages 12 and up. Reservations required.

The Rappel
Descend by rope 165 feet into the huge main chamber of Moaning Cavern! No experience is necessary, and gloves, hard-hat, and the highest quality rappelling equipment are provided. Adventurous people from all walks of life are thrilled by this unique and exciting opportunity to try something new! This trip is appropriate for ages 12 and up. There are five ways a minor child (aged 12 to 17) may rappel at Moaning Cavern:

1. Their parent or legal guardian is present to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.
2. They bring a signed waiver that has been notarized.
3. They bring a signed waiver that has been witnessed by another adult who is present at the cavern and can verify the signature.
4. They bring a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian authorizing another adult who is present at the cavern to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.
5. They bring a signed letter from a parent or legal guardian which includes a witness signature of another adult who is present at the cavern who can verify their signature, authorizing that adult to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.

Adventure Trip
Energetic cave explorers begin this exciting expedition with an optional 165-foot rope rappel, followed by one to two hours of exploration through deep chambers and passages. Most areas are undeveloped, so there are no lights, stairs, or walkways. Instead, visitors daringly explore by climbing and belly crawling with lighted helmets to show the way. This trip is offered all year round by reservation, and is conducted by experienced, highly trained guides. No experience is necessary, and gloves, hard-hat with light, coveralls from size 38 adult, and rappelling gear are provided. For ages 12 and up, minors must be accompanied by an adult, total trip time is approximately 3 hours. If doing the Adventure Trip with the rappel, there are five ways a minor child (aged 12 to 17) may rappel at Moaning Cavern:

1. Their parent or legal guardian is present to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.
2. They bring a signed waiver that has been notarized.
3. They bring a signed waiver that has been witnessed by another adult who is present at the cavern and can verify the signature.
4. They bring a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian authorizing another adult who is present at the cavern to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.
5. They bring a signed letter from a parent or legal guardian which includes a witness signature of another adult who is present at the cavern who can verify their signature, authorizing that adult to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.
   
   

Sutter Gold Mine

The Walk Tour
The 1 hour Walk Tour is a great lesson on gold mining from the earliest days to the present time. This real mine experience begins with gearing up in hardhats and tagging in, then stepping aboard the Boss Buggy Shuttle for a historic journey deep underground. Learn about Gold Country geology and mining technology as you traverse beneath thousands of tons of native rock, viewing mining equipment from the smallest drills to the massive 15-yard haul truck. See beautiful crystals and learn how to distinguish between real gold deposits and pyrite (“Fools Gold”) in the quartz of the Comet Vein.