Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management/Kevin S. Abel

by Jamie Hale | The Oregonian, OregonLive

It’s easy enough to get a glimpse at Oregon’s volcanic past – just take a look at the Cascade Mountains, or trek to places like the Newberry Volcanic Monument – but to really understand the geology of our state, you’ll need to head underground.

Dispersed around the state (but found mostly in central Oregon) are sprawling systems of caves, many of which can be explored by casual spelunkers. Some run for several dark miles just beneath the desert floor, others open up to the light of day thanks to skylights in their roofs.

Home to bats, bugs and rats, Oregon’s caves are more vibrant than you might think – especially if you get excited about the geological significance that abounds. Break out your headlamp and a good pair of shoes, and be sure to check your claustrophobia at the door: Here are 10 caves to explore around Oregon.

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Limited access

Before you get going, you should know that several caves around the state shut down in the late fall and winter to allow a safe breeding environment for bats. North American bat populations have been struggling thanks to white-nose syndrome, a disease that could lead to the extinction of some species. I've noted all seasonal closures below.

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Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

1. Oregon Caves

The Oregon Caves are a national monument and preserve, managed by the National Park Service in southern Oregon. Sometimes called the "marble halls of Oregon," the caves can be seen only on ranger-led tours (available March through November), which offer a nice variety of experiences. The Discovery Tour explains the geology, fossils and cave life; the Candlelight Cave Tour is a trip through history, lit only by candle lanterns; and the Off-Trail Tour is a legitimate spelunking adventure.

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2. Arnold Ice Cave

A popular cave southeast of Bend, Arnold Ice Cave is one of many in the area, perhaps known best for what the name implies: ice, and a lot of it too. As groundwater seeps through the porous lava rock it freezes in the cold underground cavern. The main cave is just one part of the larger Arnold Ice Cave System, which runs 4.5 miles in all. The cave is closed from November to mid-April.

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

3. Lava River Cave

A mile-long lava tube, Lava River Cave is one of the most popular caves in central Oregon. A stairway leads you down into it, and a combination of boardwalk, uneven surfaces and stairs lead you through to the end, where a sand plug blocks further exploration. You'll need a NW Forest Pass to park at the entrance, or else pay $5 for a day pass. The cave is closed from October to May, and has limited hours the rest of the year.

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4. Skylight Cave

Head down a ladder into Skylight Cave and you'll quickly understand how it got its name. To the right, as you face the ladder, the cave soon opens up to a large room where openings in the 25-foot roof allow spots of light to come through. The cave doesn't continue far from that point, and the other direction from the ladder leads to a dead-end as well, but the natural skylights are a stunning attraction. The cave is closed from October to May.

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Wikimedia Commons

5. Redmond Caves

Located within Redmond city limits, the Redmond Caves are a system of five caves created by the collapse of a single lava tube. Caves 1, 3 and 4 are all accessible with networks of passages. Caves 2 and 5 are both small and shallow. The land is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and is open year-round.

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Roger Jensen/The Oregonian

6. Fort Rock Cave

Fort Rock is an attraction in and of itself, but it's an even bigger treat to get a glimpse of Fort Rock Cave, the nearby site where archeologists discovered several pairs of sagebrush sandals believed to be 9,000 to 11,000 years old. Due to the cultural and archeological significance, the cave is only accessible on one of the dozen or so ranger-led tours every summer. Go to oregonstateparks.org to reserve a tour.

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Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management/Kevin S. Abel

7. Derrick Cave

Just northeast of Fort Rock Cave is Derrick Cave, a 1,200-foot-long cave named for pioneer rancher H.E. Derrick. Several volcanic features are visible, including a well-developed lava tube and vent. The northeast section of the cave features skylights, multiple levels and a sandy floor. It’s one of the most remote caves in central Oregon, but while it’s a long drive to get there, serious cave explorers won’t want to skip it.

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8. Boyd Cave

The well-preserved Boyd Cave is a 1,880-foot lava tube found southeast of Bend, nearby a system of several other caves. The cave is only accessibly via a set of metal stairs that lead down through a small opening in the ceiling. The inside of the cave remains a chilly 42 degrees, so explorers are encouraged to dress warmly. Boyd Cave is open year-round.

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Wikimedia Commons

9. Skeleton Cave

The 2,900-foot-long Skeleton Cave got its name from the variety of animal bones once found inside – including those of a horse and a giant bear. Due to the fragile environment inside, and because of some damage done to it, Skeleton Cave is only accessible by a tour given by Wanderlust Tours. The company offers tours throughout the spring and summer months.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

10. Sea Lion Caves

With apologies to serious spelunkers, you can't talk about Oregon caves without bringing up the Sea Lion Caves, a stunning sea cave on the Oregon coast that's as big as a cathedral and is the seasonal home of a sea lion rookery. The cave has long been commercialized, accessible via elevator from the gift shop off Highway 101. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors and $8 for kids.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

NORTHWEST TRAVEL GUIDES

Best viewpoint in Oregon: On a clear day, the view from atop Marys Peak stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascade Mountains, with a look at 10 prominent peaks.

Shipwrecks of Oregon: They don't call it the "graveyard of the Pacific" for nothing. Here are 8 shipwrecks that still haunt the Oregon coast.

Scenic bikeways: Cyclists of all abilities can have a beautiful time on Oregon's 15 officially-designated scenic bikeways.

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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