A Famous Site in California’s Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Is Reopening in May For the First Time Since 2023

After years of closure for maintenance and updates, a popular cave is now ready to welcome back visitors. 

The famed Crystal Cave of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California recently announced it would reopen for guided tours ahead of the summer 2025 tourism season on May 23.

Located within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Crystal Cave is a half-mile hike that is described as “steep and strenuous,” due to the several extended stairwells both inside and outside of the cave. 

The tours kick off on May 23 and run through Sept. 7, operating daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Travelers can purchase tickets on the Sequoia Parks Conservancy website, which manages tours and other experiences. The tours operate every 30 minutes, and cost $20 for general admission, and $10 for children 10 years of age and younger, excluding fees. 

Travel + Leisure spotted limited availability for tour tickets in May, due to the reopening. However, there is still wide availability throughout the remaining summer months including June, July, and August.

During a visit to the Crystal Cave, travelers can add an additional experience such as an up-close and guided private tour of the Sequoia trees or a “Wonders of the Night Sky” guided walk. 

While the cave provides a thrilling adventure and opportunity to be up close with nature, the tour organizer encourages people to carefully evaluate their physical ability before embarking on the journey.

“Visiting Crystal Cave requires physical exertion and may not be suitable for everyone,” the Sequoia Park Conservancy shares on its website. “Those with claustrophobia, difficulty walking, heart or respiratory conditions, recent surgery or illness, or other physical limitations should avoid the tour.” 

The cave also isn't a simple walk in a park, as the conservancy also describes potential hazards such as poison oak, falling rocks, and even rattlesnakes and bees. 

Cave exploration is a popular activity among national park visitors and outdoor enthusiasts. For example, the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, which is home to caves that exceed one million years of existence, was recently recognized as a Dark Sky Park and saw a 193 percent jump in visitors last year over previous years.