Located here in Amador County, just outside the quaint village of Volcano, Black Chasm Cavern opened for guided walking tours at the end of September 2000. This spectacular, living cave is decorated with a huge variety of natural formations, including profuse arrays of rare and distinctive, sparkling helictites. Part of the beauty of this cave is in how it has been developed using an ecologically friendly platform, stairs and walkway system that enhances rather than detracts from the underground experience. This attractive trail system keeps visitors off the fragile floor of the cave while affording them spectacular views.

Black Chasm was named a National Natural Landmark in 1976 by the National Park Service for its outstanding displays of rare helictite formations. On the 50-minute guided walking tour, descend a series of stairs and walkways that loop around the formation covered caverns walls. Here, flowstones interspersed with stalactites, draperies and helictites compete for space above the stairways. In the Colossal Room, a platform seemingly suspended in midair hangs above a 70-foot drop to small glimpses of the jewel-like lake below, made bright turquoise by naturally occurring calcium bicarbonate.

At the Landmark Portal, a large group of spectacular stalactites hangs over the entrance. Enter the Landmark Room for which Black Chasm was designated a National Natural Landmark and see the massive arrays of rare, sparkling white helictite crystals.

Visit the new 3,000 square foot visitors center with displays from the Matrix movie trilogy (Black Chasm was the inspiration for the huge cavern set in the second & third movies), learn about the recent exploration & mapping of the cave and browse the science, nature and souvenir merchandise.

Check out the web site for maps, directions, photos and information on our fun and educational school program.

ACTIVITIES
50-minute guided walking tour
Gemstone mining
Gold panning
Above ground nature hike
Picnic tables - bring your lunch!

LOCATION
15701 Pioneer-Volcano Road, Volcano, California, 95689

HOURS
Open daily 9 am - 5 pm during the summer and holidays, 10 am - 5 pm daily for the rest of the year.