Mercer Caverns – Murphys, California
This is the longest continually operating commercial caverns in the state of California. The Mercer Caverns are world famous for the rare Aragonite flos ferri. It was discovered in 1895.
When the caverns were first opened for people to visit they had to descend by rope! This three million year old cave now has stairs, walkways and lighting and yet keeps cognizant of the responsibility to present this LIVING limestone cave in its original beauty. As with all living caverns the need to keep from touching the walls, or any part of the cavern itself is critical. Whenever someone touches the walls or other parts of the living cave the growth is stopped. People have oil on their hands the kill off any further development in the exact location of the touch, so when you visit, please keep your hands to yourself and make sure the children with you do the same. The cave is something that will offer generations to come the opportunity to witness the underground beauty that you are now seeing.
The cave was originally used by a prehistoric Indian Tribe called the Yokuts as a mortuary cave. When someone would die the bodies would be brought to the opening of the cave and the bodies then rolled down inside. Because the cave was sacred, no one was to enter. As hunters the Yokuts moved from area to area when the game left the area they were in. As with Mercer Caverns, when the game moved on so did the Yokuts.
With the tribe leaving the cave was abandoned and for years the wind, dirt, rock slides and leaves from the trees packed the entrance. It was not until 1885 that the cave was “rediscovered.”
Cave Hours: Memorial Day Weekend through September – Sunday through Thursday from 9 – 5. Friday & Saturday – 9 – 6.
October 1 – Memorial Day weekend: Open every day from 10 – 4:30.
The tours are approximately 45 minutes long with well trained, informative guides. You descend the equivalent of about a 16 story building by way of stairs and walkways and you ascend the same as you leave the caverns. If you would find this too difficult please refrain from beginning the tour.
Location: Mercer Caverns is located in Calaveras County just outside Murphys, California and about 5 miles from Angels Camp.
Admission: Adults $12.00; Children from 5 – 12 – $7.00
There are group rates available for groups of 10 or more people.
Phone: 209-728-2101
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