It's no secret that Washington is packed with natural wonders, but while you've likely hiked a few mountains or checked out our prettiest lakes, what about our state's caves? For an awesome cave-themed day trip in Washington, head to Crawford State Park. What seems like your everyday, unassuming state park, is actually home to one of the longest limestone caverns in Washington State. So head over to the Metaline Falls caves at Crawford State Park, take a guided tour, and then have a lovely picnic at the covered shelter. It's the perfect way to spend the day.
Crawford State Park is located in the northeastern corner of Washington State, just north of the town of Metaline Falls.
Tucked away near the US-Canada and Washington-Idaho borders, this park makes for a perfect Washington day trip.
The park is a 40-acre, forested day-use park. The star attraction here is Gardner Cave, a 500-million-year-old cavern, which you can explore via a free guided tour.
You can reserve your tour time on the park’s website.
These stairs lead you straight into what might possibly be the coolest cave in Washington!
Gardner Cave measures approximately 2,072 feet in length and 295 feet in depth, which makes it the third-longest limestone cavern in Washington State.
Visitors to the caverns are recommended to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes (ideally waterproof).
Please note that there is a steep, 200-yard walk from the parking lot to the cave entrance and there are several flights of stairs in the cave. If you are traveling with children, you may want to be sure they hold the handrails.
Most of the cave is dark, past the initial entrance.
But lights have been placed around the tunnels to help illuminate the unique cave formations.
During your tour, you will see ceilings and walls rich with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and rimstone pools.
Your guide will teach you how to identify these geological wonders. Temperatures in the caverns vary, so remember to layer your clothing.
After your epic tour of these fascinating state park caverns, head over to the covered picnic area for a memorable lunch or snack.
It’s the perfect way to end your cave-themed day trip in Washington!
You'll also want to take some time to explore the rest of the park. Look both high and low - you never know what you'll find!
Have you ever visited the Metaline Falls caves in Washington State, or explored this underrated state park for yourself? If so, which ones were your favorites? What do you think are some of the best day trips in Washington? We'd love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!
You can learn more about the area on the Crawford State Park website, as well as the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission Facebook page for help with planning your visit.
While you're in the area, go ahead and make it a weekend! This quaint cottage in the trees boasts incredible views. Or, for another cave in Washington that's completely unexpected, check out this tree root cave.
If you’re still in the mood for more Washington State adventures, take a look at this video about beautiful Dog Mountain:
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