Oregon is full of bizarre natural wonders that will blow you away and boggle your mind. Located near Lake Billy Chinook in the Central Oregon desert, the Metolius Balancing Rocks is one of the most mystifying hidden gems the state has to offer.
Located at the Cove Palisades State Park, the Metolius Balancing Rocks (also known as the Oregon Hoodoos) is a group of amazing boulders balanced on top ancient rock pillars on a hillside overlooking the Metolius River.
The ancient geological formations were exposed after a huge wildfire tore through the area in 2003. Today, you can visit the unusual site easily on foot.
,"11":3,"12":0}">Located 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.
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,"11":3,"12":0}">Let's explore this cave in Oregon that was used by the Freemason organization for decades before closing in October 2019.
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.
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.
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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 cave itself.
Some of the crazier theories claim that this creepy cave in Oregon played host to satanic rituals and devil worship.
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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.
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 anymore, if you'd like to see more from inside Malheur Cave, watch this video from YouTube user water_skipper:
Please note that as of October 2019, Malheur Cave is gated off and no longer open to the public. What do you think about these conspiracy theories? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
A visit to Oregon's coast typically includes plenty of wildlife viewing. Take a hike to see Roosevelt elk and blacktail deer, scan the sea for whales, and keep an eye out along the coastline for sea birds, seals, and sea lions. For a truly unique wildlife adventure, check out these Oregon Sea Lion Caves near Florence. Depending on the timing of your visit, you might see hundreds of Steller sea lions.
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The next time you find yourself on the coast, stop in at the Oregon Sea Lion Caves. It's just a 22-minute drive north from Florence, and it's right on Highway 101. It was one of my favorite stops that we made on our Oregon Coast road trip.
This huge cave was formed about 25 million years ago. The soaring, vaulted ceiling of this sea cave is 125 feet tall, and the cave measures 1,315 feet long - the longest in America.
The floor of the cave covers two acres, and waves wash in and out of it all day long. It's the perfect spot for Steller sea lions to hang out, and a herd of around 200 live in the area.
I definitely stood here for about 45 minutes getting tons of sea lion caves photos as well as some great video. You might be surprised to hear that these sea lions actually roar!
I even stood here for a while too so that I wasn't hogging up the front of the viewing platform.
But then went back down to the front for another 20 minutes.
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This Oregon sea cave is the only known mainland rookery and hauling (breeding and wintering) place for Steller sea lions, and depending on the time of year, you'll see hundreds of them here.
Stellar sea lions live 20-30 years. Males can be up to 2,500 pounds, and females are typically around 700 pounds.
You're most likely to see lots of sea lions during the winter and spring months. When you visit Sea Lion Caves, the staff there can tell you if there are sea lions in the cave that day.
This isn't a zoo - the sea lions come and go as they please, so on some days, there might be hundreds of sea lions in the caves, and other days there might be a few dozen. Sometimes there are no sea lions at all in this Oregon Sea Lion Cave.
If you're visiting during the summer and fall months, no worries! You can still see the sea lions. Take a stroll down to the viewing platforms and peer over the edge.
Actually, some of my favorite sea lion caves photos came from this viewpoint!
The rocky area at the base of the cliff is a rookery. This is where the Steller sea lions mate, give birth, and raise their young. Bulls establish territory on the rookery, and defend it from other males.
Learn more by visiting the website for the Sea Lion Caves and make sure to follow its Facebook page to see the latest updates.
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Have you visited this spot? Tell our readers about your experience in the comments!
Aside from the sea caves, there is so much to do along Highway 101 in Oregon. If you're taking a road trip, make sure you have all the road trip essentials.
Looking for more wildlife on the coast? Visit this little beach near Newport. It doesn't have any sand, but it does have plenty of seals and sea birds.
