The Conspiracy Theories Surrounding This Creepy Oregon Cave Are Beyond Bizarre

Who doesn’t love a strange and bizarre destination? Obviously, we do! And we’ve found one in the remote, southeastern corner of the Beaver State. Malheur Cave in Oregon is a mysterious lava tube cave owned by the Masonic Lodge of Burns. For decades, the Masons have been holding annual gatherings deep within this cave, and conspiracy theorists claim that this place is shrouded in mystery. Whether or not these stories are true, there's no denying that Malheur Cave is one of the creepiest spots in Oregon and it requires the right equipment to explore if you're given the chance.  

Let's explore this cave in Oregon that was used by the Freemason organization for decades before closing to the public in October 2019.

Where is Malheur Cave located?

You'll find the cave about 17 miles east of Crystal Crane Hot Springs in Burns, Oregon. This cave is a 3,000-foot lava tube cave used by local Native American tribes, early settlers, and other groups throughout history.

History of Malheur Cave

In 1938, two members of the Robert Burns Masonic Lodge, Ulysses S. Hackney and Charles W. Loggan, came up with the idea of holding a Freemason meeting inside this cave in Oregon. The first official meeting of the Masons at the cave was held on October 1, 1938.

For decades, Masons from all across the country would gather within the depths of this cave for their annual Malheur Cave Event. For years, the Freemason group in Oregon held their meetings in this cave, cleaning and maintaining the area. But of course, a group holding private meetings in a creepy cave caused rumors and conspiracy theories to swirl about, regarding both the masons and the cave itself.

According to local legends, Native Americans believed that this cave was a passageway to the underworld. How fascinating is that?

The Conspiracy Theories

Some of the crazier theories claim that this creepy cave in Oregon played host to satanic rituals and devil worship. And some even believed the cave to be connected to an underground tunnel network spanning the entire United States, connecting with other caves owned by Freemasons.

In any case, there's no denying that this Freemason cave is one of the creepiest places in Oregon — and its recent closure makes it all the more intriguing.

Is this Masonic cave still open today?

Unfortunately, the cave has been closed since 2019, when local Masons erected a gate to the cave in order to stop the vandalism and graffiti that plagued the site. Over the years, the stone floor had been damaged, as some visitors attempted to burn the bleachers located inside. The cave was also addled with garbage and graffiti, too. While you can't explore the cave freely (without permission) anymore, if you'd like to see more from inside Malheur Cave, watch this video from YouTube user water_skipper:

Please note that in October 2019, Malheur Cave was gated off and no longer open to the public. However, over the years, some explorers have been granted access with permission from the Masonic Lodge of Burns. We ask that you respect the privacy of the lodge and follow the proper protocol to gain access to the cave.

What do you think about these conspiracy theories about what happened at Malheur Cave in Oregon? Share your thoughts with us.

For more creepy places in Oregon, here are several destinations that are sure to satisfy the bravest Beaver State ghost hunters!