Spiral Tour
Home to the largest single cave chamber in California, the Spiral Tour is an ideal family tour! With a 20 to 30 foot thick ceiling, the open area inside the chamber is, in fact, tall enough to hold the Statue of Liberty (pedestal excluded)! The massive room extends into the marble deposit of the Calaveras Formation over 180 feet before funneling into smaller passageways.
Visitors may view the cavern’s main chamber by walking and climbing the staircase to a flat platform 65 feet underground. For the truly athletic and adventurous, from there, a ten-story spiral staircase leads down to a second platform at the base of the chamber.
The unique 100-foot high spiral staircase is an architectural wonder and was built in 1922 using scrap metal from an old WWI battleship!
The staircase has 144 stairs and spirals around 7½ times. It has allowed hundreds of thousands of visitors the fun and adventure of descending deep into the largest single cave chamber in California!
45 minute tour leaves promptly at the top of every hour
Year-round
Moderate exertion
Most popular family tour
Cave temperature: 61 degrees
Wear comfortable shoes
Educator Package: Includes educational resources, interactive project ideas, trip organization, direct experiential opportunities to help better connect the experience with your students and complimentary chaperone ticket. Does not include student ticket.
Student Package: Includes engaging pre and post educational visit activities, trip organization and student ticket.
Moaning Caverns
Once you submit an order for tickets with your charter school, they will reach out to us with your request. You will be receiving your e-tickets and educational materials in an email within 1-2 days after we receive that request. Please make sure to check your email spam folder if you don't see your tickets in your inbox by that time. Submitting your order at least 7-14 days prior to your trip date is generally best unless you are trying to book a venue that requires more advanced planning.