California's Black Chasm Cavern Has Rare, Gravity-Defying Crystals In Every Chamber

The tiny town of Volcano, California, was once the site of a boomtown during the California Gold Rush era that was home to thousands of people. Today, the town's population is estimated to be between 100 and 200 people. It's the kind of place that you might choose to drive right past on most California road trip routes, but you'd be missing out on a truly fascinating site. Black Chasm Cavern allows visitors to take guided tours and admire a rare type of cave formation called helictites. 

Rock hounds, spelunking enthusiasts, and any traveler who loves a hidden-gem attraction should absolutely add Black Chasm Cavern to their West Coast bucket list. It's not too far away from some of California's most popular attractions, like Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, so if you're vacationing in one of the nearby tourist hot spots, it makes a great option for a day trip.

Travelers can learn all about Black Chasm Caverns and the site's history on a guided walking tour that lasts just under an hour. During your visit you'll get to venture beneath the earth's surface to see epic clusters of helictites that twist and turn from the cave walls and ceiling in each chamber as though they're defying gravity, and learn about the miners who are credited with discovering the caverns. 

The first recorded exploration of Black Chasm Cavern took place in 1854 around the time that the town of Volcano was attracting people who were searching for gold. Early explorers may have been disappointed that the cavern wasn't full of gold, but it still proved to be a lucrative discovery. Miners began to give tours of the cave in exchange for a bit of gold. Later, geologists realized that the cave was full of something even more rare than gold — extensive displays of helictites. 

The delicate helictites throughout Black Chasm Cavern are formed from calcite that sparkles and shimmers. They grow from every direction within the cave and create curly shapes that give them the appearance of defying gravity. Helictites can sometimes look like frost or spindly needles, and have been compared to Medusa's head full of snakes. While helictites themselves aren't rare, it is unusual to find large displays of them. Due to the huge numbers of helictites within Black Chasm Cavern, the destination was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1976. 

Knowledgeable guides will teach visitors all about the geology of the cave and its history. On the 50-minute excursion, you'll descend around 100 feet below the surface of the earth into the depths of the cave. The guides will explain the various formations within the cave, including hundreds of thousands of the rare gravity-defying helictites. According to Black Chasm Cavern's official website, some of the helictites form shapes that look like candy canes, butterflies, and even a dragon. There are three different chambers that tourists get to explore on the guided tour. One of the chambers has a beautiful blue underground lake that is 100 feet wide. 

Black Chasm Cavern is located about an hour and a half away from the bustling city of Sacramento, California, which is known for its historic architecture and amazing food. Sacramento International Airport (SMF), just under two hours away, is currently undergoing a $1.4 billion expansion project and is an excellent choice if you're flying into California to visit Black Chasm Cavern. Car rentals in Sacramento cost around $50 per day. Yosemite National Park is over two hours away from the cavern and Lake Tahoe can be reached in around an hour and 45 minutes. 

Black Chasm Cavern is open year-round. During the summer months it can be quite hot outside, but inside the cave it's always a little chilly. The temperature always remains around 58 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, so it's a good idea to bring a light layer to wear on the tour, regardless of the weather outside. The cost of the walking tour is about $25 per adult, and you can book your spot ahead of time online. Each tour is limited to 25 people maximum due to space constraints within the cave, so it's a good idea to make your reservation ahead of time to ensure you have a spot.

The tour is open to travelers of all ages. Walking is required and there are five flights of stairs throughout the tour. It is not particularly challenging, according to the website, but it is definitely not wheelchair accessible, and walking sticks are not permitted on the tour. Tourists are not permitted to bring food or drinks on the tour, so make sure you hydrate before you begin. Gum, large cameras, backpacks, and large purses are also not permitted. The cave ecosystem is very sensitive, and the rules exist to preserve it.