#The cave sacramento full
#The cave sacramento zip

It is 250 feet from one end of Natural Bridges to the other and even in the summer the water is cold, really cold, ice chest cold. Just inside the cave entrance, under the rock ceiling, you’ll find small wall-caves for kids to climb in, a small waterfall dropping into the cave pool, and a large shallow but rocky play area protected from the sun. It is a wide, dark, low entrance dotted with moss. Lower Natural Bridges Cave Entrance: This is the south end where the Coyote Creek exits the cave.This end of the cave also features “water tubs,” and views of the cave’s impressive vaulted ceiling. It is a tall, round entrance with moss growing over the rocks and ferns spilling over to top of the arched limestone opening. Upper Natural Bridges Cave Entrance: This is the north end where Coyote Creek enters the cave.While the rock formations inside the cave remind me more of those we saw inside Moaning Cavern earlier in the day, some people refer to Natural Bridges as a tunnel because it has two entrances and you can swim all the way through it: It is covered with calcium deposits, creating interesting, oddly-shaped, large limestone rock formations. The Natural Bridges limestone cave was created over time as the waters of Coyote Creek eroded a layer of soluble bedrock. If you continue straight on the trail instead, traveling over the top of the cave, you’ll reach the Upper Natural Bridges cave entrance and it’s a much steeper, rocky, awkward climb to the creek (not very family-friendly). Look to your right to see the Lower Natural Bridges cave entrance - this is the easiest way to reach the cave. From here, turn left and take the stairs made from railroad ties past a picnic area down to the creek bed.Just before the trail splits in two, there is a plaque commemorating the donation and public acquisition of the Natural Bridge. The hike continues upstream as it descends to Coyote Creek.

#The cave sacramento full

You then turn right and follow the trail through spotted shade until you reach full sun and wind around the wall of the canyon formed by the rushing waters of Coyote Creek.The trail starts out sort of paralleling Parrots Ferry Road, then drops down into a shady oak ravine before taking you across a small wooden footbridge to a wide dirt trail.The trail is rocky and uneven, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes and watch out for poison oak. To find the Natural Bridges Trail trailhead look for a round metal gate near the entrance on the east side of the road. The Natural Bridges Trail is a beautiful two mile out and back trail that descends 300 feet to the canyon floor. (Gross!) To change into our bathing suits, we had to do a quick “car change.” You park along a dirt road and again, there is only one pit toilet available. The Natural Bridges Day Use Area entrance is off Parrots Ferry Road.

Most people don’t want to work that hard to have fun, which is okay by me because it means less people! Natural Bridges Trail No big deal, except you then have to hike one mile uphill back to your car - and you’re most likely going to be hiking back wet. There is only a pit toilet (gross), parking isn’t great, and to reach Natural Bridges cave and swimming hole, you have to hike one mile downhill. Brian and I both asked, “Why aren’t more people here? Why haven’t we heard about this before?”ĭuh. We couldn’t believe this amazing cave exists, is available to explore for free, and isn’t more crowded. The kids’ jaws dropped, they waded right into the water, and were smiling from ear to ear. The minute I saw this awe-inspiring cave for the first time, I was shocked. Natural Bridges near Vallecito, California is a day-use area managed by the Bureau of Reclamation that provides year-round public access to an incredible natural cave. After a picnic lunch, we drove down the road to the Natural Bridges Day Use Area to hike the two mile out and back trail to Natural Bridges Cave.

#The cave sacramento zip

Our day started at the Moaning Cavern Adventure Park for a cavern tour that took us 165 feet below ground, rock climbing, gem panning, and a zip line race. This year, we planned a road trip to the gold country of Calaveras County for a caving, hiking, picnicing, and zip lining adventure. My daughter Natalie just had a birthday and we always go on some type of family adventure to celebrate our birthdays.