California is famous for its pristine beaches, rugged coastlines, and towering sequoia forests… but how much do you know about its caves?
The longest cavern system in the state is California Cavern, a sprawling limestone cave network nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, known for its rich Gold Rush history and stunning underground passages. With multiple interconnected chambers and winding corridors, it’s one of the most underrated hidden gems in California.
While the cave has been closed as of late, it’s due to reopen this spring for tours. A special January promotion makes now a great time to book an unforgettable spelunking adventure.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Explore California’s longest cave system
California Cavern is situated near Angels Camp and San Andreas in Calaveras County, right along historic Highway 49. Discovered during the Gold Rush around 1849–1850, it originally opened to the public as “Mammoth Cave,” making it one of the first officially documented caves in the Mother Lode region.
Notable early visitors include Mark Twain, naturalist John Muir, and writer Bret Harte.
Today, the cavern operates as a show cave with both guided walking tours and more adventurous spelunking experiences.
Spelunking tours and January special
Gold Country Adventures hosts popular spelunking tours of California Cavern, where thrill-seekers can strap on a helmet and crawl through narrow passageways, duck under low ceilings, and discover sections of the cave not seen on regular tours. You can book a spelunking tour by January 31, 2026, using the promo code exploremc26 to get special pricing.
For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, California Cavern also offers hourly guided walking tours that highlight the cave’s history and geology without the tight squeezes.
📍 Location: 9565 Cave City Road, Mountain Ranch, CA 95246
🗓️ Opening Dates: Spring 2026
🌐 Website: CaveTouring.com