The Little Known Cave In Oregon That Everyone Should Explore At Least Once

If you love exploring caves in Oregon, you're in luck. Everyone is familiar with Oregon Caves National Monument, but there are other subterranean wonderlands around the state. A tour company offers adventures in these lava tube caves near Bend, and there's another little-known cave that's also a must-visit. Check out Derrick Cave:

Derrick Cave is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. You'll find it just south of Bend.

To reach the cave, travel on Highway 20 to Forest Road 23. You'll take a dirt road onto Road 2325, then drive until you reach a small parking lot. The dirt road is very rough, so take it slow.

The best way to enter the cave is right from the parking lot.

The large entrance is easy to walk right into! Make sure you're wearing some sturdy shoes, and bring along at least one light source (a second backup is always a good idea).

This lava tube cave was formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago. It's 1,200 feet long - one of the longest in the state.

Multiple skylights in the northern end of the cave brighten portions of the cave, creating excellent photo opportunities. The sunlight also helps you explore the walls of the cave.

Much of the cave has a wide, sandy path, but as you reach the southern end of the lava tube it becomes darker and more narrow.

The only animals found in Derrick Cave are small mammals and some insects. While you might hear them rustling about, don't worry - you won't run into any bats here. In fact, since bats don't hibernate here, you can explore Derrick Cave year-round.

The cave is always 15-20 degrees cooler than aboveground, so an adventure here is perfect on a hot summer day.

Derrick Cave has a unique history. During the Cold War, it was designated as an official fallout shelter, and stocked with food and water.

There aren't any services available at Derrick Cave, so bring plenty of water. Leave your pets at home - they're not allowed inside the cave.

Have you explored Derrick Cave? What are some of your favorite caves in Oregon? We'd love to hear about your adventures in the comments! And be sure to check out our list of outdoor essentials before embarking on your excursion.

Looking for more to explore? Check out this stunning footage of Cannon Beach: