Thousands of years ago, underground lava flows from the Newberry Volcano worked their way through tubes all over Central Oregon. One of those lava tubes collapsed several millennia ago, leaving behind a handful of caves that are today the heart of the Redmond Caves Recreation Site.
Just south of downtown and next to the Redmond Municipal Airport, the Redmond Caves welcome visitors interested in going underground and exploring Central Oregon’s volcanic history. Five caves are accessible and have been preserved in their natural state—offering a glimpse at how Native Americans used the caves for thousands of years, as well as how volcanic activity shaped the Central Oregon landscape. The caves are open all year long, but a summer visit—where the caves are downright chilly—offers a welcome escape from the heat.
You’ll want to keep a few tips in mind before visiting. First and foremost, watch for rattlesnakes that live in (and around) the caves—especially in spring, summer, and early fall. Be sure to bring at least three sources of light, and wear sturdy boots or shoes. Note that there are no toilets, drinking fountains, or other amenities at the caves—so you’ll want to bring all the gear you need to be self-sufficient. And keep in mind that dogs are not permitted in the caves.
Open Season
The Redmond Caves are open year-round.
Dog Friendly and/or Leash Rules
Dogs are not permitted inside the Redmond Caves.
Best time to visit
June-Aug.
Don’t Miss
The caves stay cool all year long, so plan a visit between June and August to escape the summertime heat.
Fees or Pass Needed
None
Restrictions
Pets are not allowed in the caves, and visitors cannot remove rocks from the caves.
Activities
Spelunking
Parking
A small parking area resides along SE Airport Way and at the southern edge of the site.
Directions
Redmond Caves Recreation Site is about 2.5 miles south of downtown Redmond via SW 6th St., SW Highland Ave., Highway 97, SE Veterans Way, and SE Airport Way.
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Caves in Central Oregon
Central Oregon is a landscape shaped by hundreds of thousands of years of volcanic activity. In some cases, this is blindingly obvious, especially aboveground: Look no further than Lava Butte, a reddish gray cinder cone just south of Bend, and the sprawling lava flow at its base. But in other ways, that volcanic past is less obvious—like in the caves and lava tubes that sit just below ground, crisscrossing the bulk of the region beneath our feet.
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