After a wildfire and weather-related setbacks, one of Sequoia National Park’s most-visited attractions is set to dazzle visitors again. Crystal Cave is a marble cavern with tall calcite stalactites, sparkling mineral deposits, and a unique ecosystem. A roughly half-mile loop inside lets visitors walk along a stream and explore some of its depths, which maintain a consistent temperature of 50 degrees. When open, the cave attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year.
The National Park Service announced on May 13 that the Crystal Cave will reopen for guided tours. Visitors can now book tours for the season, from May 23 to September 7.
Crystal Cave Reopens: Plan Your Visit
“We’re thrilled to reopen Crystal Cave, thanks to our partnership with the National Park Service,” said Savannah Boiano, executive director of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, in a released statement. “When visitors join us in exploring, learning, and engaging with nature, they become partners in our mission to protect this incredible wonder for future generations.
The cave is located in the Giant Forest section of the park. Sequoia Parks Conservancy, the official park partner of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, runs tours throughout the spring and summer.
If you want to see the cave, you’ll need to first snag a ticket for the roughly 50-minute guided tour. Crystal Cave tour tickets are only available online and are not sold onsite.
The NPS asks that you buy tickets at least 36 hours in advance, but recommends getting them 2 months before your visit. So, plan ahead if you can.
4 Years of Closure
In 2021, the KNP Complex wildfire that burned for 3 months damaged the road and terrain leading to Crystal Cave. Then came winter storms in 2022 and 2023. That severe weather exacerbated the damage and hindered repairs, keeping the area unsafe and closed to visitors.
Last year, contractors began cutting down and clearing thousands of trees from the area, including the roadway leading to the cave. This work continues this season, so traffic delays are probable.
For more information on how to visit Crystal Cave, what to bring, and where it’s located, visit the NPS website.
