We had such a great time exploring the outdoors this summer and one of those adventures took us to Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park. We took the drive to Sequoia National Park and the next morning, bright and early, we headed to our favorite of Sequoia National park tours.
The hike down to the entrance of the cave is the only precaution one should be aware of. It’s way more intense than any review I read. You’re walking along a cliff’s edge and I clutched my boy the whole time. I would definitely be leery with anything less than a 1:1 of kids to adults if your little ones tend to run off or need help.
Sequoia National Park Tours
Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park
Crystal Cave is 15 miles from Sequoia Parks entrance at Highway 198, about 3 miles south of General Sherman. Look out for the entrance off to the left as you go up the mountain. Definitely use the parking lot restrooms because, once you hike down to the cave entrance, there won’t be other options. Also, be sure to put all your food in the bear boxes in the parking lot. Lastly, keep in mind that they do not allow any backpacks or bags of any kind into the cave. I literally only carried my DSLR and my husband had his wallet and our car keys. Everything else was left in the car or in the bear box.
We wore hiking boots the whole trip and you’ll definitely need sturdy shoes for the hike down to the cave. They say to bring a light jacket into the cave since temperatures reach 50 degrees F, but none of my family members wore theirs at all during the tour. Keep in mind we went in August.
You should reserve your tickets to Crystal Cave Family Tour at Sequoia National park online (at www.recreation.gov) at least 24 hours in advance. We booked our tickets weeks in advance as availability and specific times can book completely. One thing to note: DO NOT expect to get tickets for any tours at the cave. If you haven’t reserved a ticket online and want to inquire about availability, head over to the Lodgepole or Foothills visitor centers. The tours are run by Sequoia Parks Conservancy.
Crystal Cave Family Tour: Is It Worth It?
The Crystal Cave Family Tour is 50 minutes long. My friend and I considered doing the 90 minute tour and we are sooo glad we didn’t! With two 6 year-olds and two 4-year-old and two old-man husbands, 50 minutes was about as long as we could take inside the dark, damp caves….
But what experience it was!!! So if you’re asking me if the Crystal Cave Sequoia Family Tour worth it, my answer would be YES.
The hike down to the cave entrance was – if not a complete and utter challenge – an adventure in itself, hiking alongside the mountain’s edge. I’d never been inside a cave before and am awe of how intricate of a living system can flourish underground. From the Visit Sequoia website, “Crystal Cave is a treasure of ornate marble polished by subterranean streams and decorated with curtains of icicle-like stalactites and mounds of stalagmites.” Once you cross behind the iron web gate, you enter a world unknown.
A Few Cave Photography Tips
I’ve had a couple of questions on how I was able to capture any photography during our cave tour. Here are a few pointers: first, pick the right lens and shoot wide open. You’ll definitely need whichever lens offers you the most light. For me, that meant my 50mm f/1.8. Yes, that focal length meant that my images were extremely tight inside the cave. I was constantly backing up as far as I could, but the decision to use that lens-based on aperture seemed like my only choice as my next lens is an f/ 2.8.
Secondly, bump up your ISO to as high as you can. Duh. I’m sure you figured as much. I’m assuming none of you are planning to blow up these images into huge prints and that you’re likely just looking for a few cool images of your family enjoying the cave, so bump that ISO up as far as you can. I shoot with a 5d Mark iii, so I had it up high.
Utilize any and all “natural” light you can find. So… here’s the thing: you’re in a cave. There is literally no natural light to speak of down there, but if you get creative with the directional lighting they have throughout the cave, you can make some cool photography! The last tip for cave photography, bring a flashlight! (Or, as we did, volunteer to be the last group in the back of the tour and given a flashlight). You can use that source as added directional light to focus, which helps a ton!
Make sure to take a few pictures near the waterfall at the entrance of the cave. It’s really such a beautiful sight. We had a great time at Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park and hope to go back again when the kids get older.
Love these pictures and feel inspired to take your own babies? You should! The great outdoors are calling you and our babies deserve to experience them. Read more about why I believe we should foster a love of the outdoors in our brown babies.
