Crystal Cave Tour: Underground Adventure in Sequoia National Park
Hi friends! Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park has finally reopened after being closed for several years, and I was fortunate enough to experience it this summer during my partnership with Visit Visalia as part of the Majestic Mountain Loop road trip campaign. Tucked beneath the giant sequoias, Crystal Cave is one of the park’s most fascinating hidden treasures—a marble cavern filled with glittering formations, winding passageways, and awe-inspiring chambers. Our tour was led by Daniel, the Field Institute Director for the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, who shared incredible insights into the cave’s geology, history, and connection to the greater ecosystem of Sequoia National Park. Whether you’re fascinated by caves or simply looking to explore one of the park’s most unique experiences, Crystal Cave is a stop worth adding to your itinerary.
FAST FACTS
• Distance: 1.5 miles RT
• Elevation Change: 325 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Crystal Cave entrance in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon 2-4 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide
If you’re planning a Sequoia National Park road trip, make sure to download my complete Sequoia & Kings Canyon 2-4 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes an hour-by-hour schedule, Google & Apple map pin locations, the best stargazing spots, a dining guide, recommendations on where to stay, activities outside the park, and more! Download it today and make your national park planning easy!
Sequoia Parks Conservancy Crystal Cave Bookstore & Kiosk
Location & Getting There
Crystal Cave is located deep within Sequoia National Park, and reaching it is an adventure in itself. From Generals Highway near the base of the Giant Forest, visitors will follow a long, narrow, and windy route down to the Crystal Cave trailhead and parking area. While the road is paved in most spots, it is bumpy and a bit rough in areas, so plan for a slow and careful drive—though most vehicles will be able to handle it without issue. Once you arrive at the trailhead, you’ll find a large parking lot equipped with restrooms, picnic tables, bear boxes, and even a small kiosk that serves as a bookstore and visitor check-in. It’s the perfect spot to prepare for your cave adventure, enjoy a picnic before or after your tour, and safely store any items you won’t be able to take with you into the cave.
Hiking down the trail to Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park
The Hike
From the parking lot, visitors make their way down to the cave via a half-mile trail that descends about 325 feet. The path is steep in sections, but well-maintained and easy to follow. Along the way, you’ll pass through lush Sequoia National Park vegetation, spotting local flora and hearing the rush of Cascade Creek nearby. Multiple waterfalls tumble down along the path, creating a beautiful soundtrack to your hike. The descent also offers several scenic views, including visible signs of the marble cave’s exterior—so take your time and soak it all in. Just remember, what goes down must come up! Be prepared for the climb back up after your cave tour, especially if you’re visiting on a warm summer afternoon.
Crystal Cave Tour in Sequoia National Park
Inside Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park
Cave Tour
Stepping inside Crystal Cave feels like entering another world as you step through the iconic spider web entrance gate. The narrow passageways soon open into vast chambers filled with marble formations, glittering in the soft light. Our group was led through these spaces by Daniel, our extremely knowledgeable Sequoia Parks Conservancy tour guide, who explained how the cave formed over thousands of years and how water continues to shape its features today. Some of the highlights included stalactites, delicate soda straws dripping with water, stalagmites rising from the cave floor, and rippling drapes and flowstone formations. Two of the most memorable rooms were the Dome Room and Marble Hall, both showcasing just how massive and ornate this underground system is. While visitors are welcome to bring their own flashlights, the walkways and key formations are thoughtfully lit, so you’ll never feel lost in the dark. This balance of light and shadow makes the experience both dramatic and safe, allowing you to fully appreciate the shimmering details of the marble cave.
Boyden Cavern Tour in Kings Canyon
Crystal Cave vs. Boyden Cavern
With Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park recently reopening and selling out weeks in advance, many visitors don’t realize there’s another cave option nearby, and it’s every bit as stunning! While both are beautiful marble caves and worth a visit, Boyden Cavern offers visitors an incredible cave experience in nearby Kings Canyon. The location is right off the main highway (CA-180), there’s no long hike to reach the entrance, advanced online reservations as well as same-day tickets on-site are available, and it’s family-run, so you feel that genuine hospitality every step of the way. For more information on this spot, check out my full Boyden Cavern blog post.
Dripping “soda straws” in Sequoia National Park’s Crystal Cave
Majestic Mountain Loop Road Trip
Crystal Cave is a stop along California’s Majestic Mountain Loop. Organized by Visit Visalia and Visit Yosemite | Madera County, this epic road trip is the perfect multi-day itinerary that takes visitors through Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks, showcasing the best stops to encounter towering sequoias, ancient cave systems, massive granite peaks, and breathtaking waterfalls. Check out MajesticMountainLoop.com for more info!
Formations inside Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park
Know Before You Go
• Always visit the official Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPS website for the most up-to-date road conditions, air quality, and possible closures prior to your visit.
• During your visit, please honor all the Leave No Trace Principles and do your best to refrain from touching the cave walls on your tour, which can inhibit the growth of the these unique rock formations.
• Cell service is unreliable in many parts of Sequoia & Kings Canyon, so bring a reliable GPS device with pre-downloaded maps. I love using Gaia GPS for iPhone and Android devices.
• This is black bear country. Bears and other wildlife can be present on trails at any time of the day or night. Feeding and approaching wildlife is dangerous and illegal. Make sure to properly store your food in the provided bear canisters, which can be found at the Crystal Cave trailhead.
• Cave tours are seasonal and should be reserved in advance of your visit. Crystal Cave reservations can be booked through the Sequoia Parks Conservancy website., where you’ll also find important information about visiting, as well as what you can & can’t bring on the tours.
• To access Crystal Cave, you’ll have to enter Sequoia National Park, which requires an entrance fee if you don’t have an America the Beautiful Pass.
• Restrooms are available at the parking area, as well as picnic tables.
• The temperature inside the cavern hovers around 50°F, so some guests may want to bring layers, even on a hot summer day.
Top 10 Spots in Sequoia National Park
Downloadable Itineraries & Travel Guides
Waterfall along Cascade Creek seen from the Crystal Cave Trail
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Sequoia National Park. For a virtual visit of Crystal Cave, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Hillside above Crystal Cave seen from the trail
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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