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Inside Oregon Caves National Monument, where tours will start one month later this year.

(Jamie Francis/The Oregonian)

The tour season at Oregon Caves National Monument will begin one month later than in past years. Rather than a late March opening, tours will start Saturday, April 26, this year.

Tours will be offered through Nov. 2, 2014. Surface areas of the southern Oregon national monument are open year round.

The shorter tour season, according to a news release from the monument staff, will reduce the monument’s operating costs during the slower, snowy months of the spring. This will allow the monument to concentrate available funds to offer tours during the busiest months of the year.

The shorter season will also help to protect the cave’s hibernating bat population, should the spring weather turn cold and icy.

From March 22 through April 20, a ranger will be stationed at the Oregon Caves Visitor Center to answer visitor questions, provide orientation to above-ground activities and make available the exhibits and park films. On weekends the Oregon Caves Natural History book store will be open.

Public tours through the winding passages of the cave last 90 minutes. The tour fee is $8.50 for adults, $6 for youths ages 15 and under. For their safety, children must be at least 42 inches tall to enter the cave. Golden Age and Access Passports are honored: the card holder receives half off the tour fee. Cave tour fees help to fund ranger guides and park projects that improve monument facilities and services.

More information about a visit to the monument and the 2014 operating season is available at the Oregon Caves National Monument's website.

Visitors planning a trip to the monument on Josephine County should be prepared for cool year-round cave temperatures (44 degrees Fahrenheit). The cave contains a sensitive, dimly lit environment with narrow passageways and steep stairs. Flashlights, food, beverages, gum, tobacco of any kind, bags and purses are not allowed. Cameras with flash units are permitted.

The historic Oregon Caves Chateau will open with food, lodging and gift shop services on May 8. For more information on cave tours call 541-592-2100. For lodging at the Chateau call 541-592-3400.

The National Park Service nationbal monument is 20 miles south of U.S. 199 and Cave Junction, via paved Oregon 46. It is surrounded by the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

-- Terry Richard