Four years have passed since the devastating wildfire that struck Crystal Cave, causing one of the most visited natural gems of Sequoia National Park to remain closed all this time. But that is over, and its doors will reopen next May 23 and will not close again until September 7 when the season ends.
This natural gem can be visited again, and it will be half a kilometre of tour inside this marble cavern, famous for its rock formations and its unique microclimate. Do you want to know more about this place? Keep reading!
Why is Crystal Cave special?
Crystal Cave is one of the most in-demand destinations of the park, it has, every summer (or used to have before the pandemic) more than 51,000 visitors! And if you don’t know what this place is about, it’s better that you visit it, but still we are going to give you a spoiler: it is a stone cave (stalactites and marble) in which there are underground rivers. Everything we can tell you about this cave will fall short.
The most spectacular cave in the park
This cave was discovered more than a century ago and is one of the most famous marble caves internationally. It is characterized by the stalactites and stalagmites that create a visual spectacle impossible to compare with anything else.
This landscape is preserved under the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, which manages the visits (which are guided) for tourists, so, yes, to visit this marvel of nature you will have to previously book a guided tour.
Why are they guided tours?
Mainly because these caves are managed by a private group (the same group that manages the park where it is located), besides this, it is such an extremely delicate place that visiting it in large groups or freely could make this cave erode more easily, besides other risks derived from mass visits that we don’t even want to imagine.
We want to avoid risks at all costs, and the best thing about going in small groups is that the explanations are almost personalized!
A fresh tour even in the middle of summer
You already know that California has quite a warm climate, but this cave has its own ecosystem and constantly maintains around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10 degrees Celsius), so it is advisable to bring a jacket if you don’t want to catch a cold.
How to access Crystal Cave: tickets and important rules
As we told you, to visit Crystal Cave it is mandatory to reserve a ticket through the Sequoia Parks Conservancy website.
Dates and hours
This park will be open from May 23 to September 7, 2025, the tour of the cave has an approximate duration of 1 hour, and the trail to the entrance requires a hike, so it is advisable to plan the visit with time and wear comfortable shoes!!
What happened in 2021?
At the beginning of this news we mentioned that the cave had been closed for several years and that is because, in 2021, a fire devastated the access area and part of the infrastructure necessary to host visits.
The National Park Service (NPS) led multiple restoration projects, which included the felling and clearing of thousands of burned trees and the reconstruction of roads and trails.
According to Clay Jordan, superintendent of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, the reopening of Crystal Cave represents “a big step forward in the recovery after the disaster” inviting visitors to rediscover this natural gem in full recovery.
What are you waiting for to live an underground adventure? But remember: without a reserved ticket, no access! Enjoy one of California’s best-kept secrets and tell us what you thought of the experience.