CRAWFORD S.P., GARDNER CAVE
CRAWFORD S.P., GARDNER CAVE
EVENT TYPE: Spelunking made easy
DISTANCE: The laddered descent is 494 feet down
ELEVATION: 2775’
DIFFICULTY: Easy
MAPS: Washington State Parks & Rec.
GPS: 48°59’46” N 117°22’15” W
MANAGING AGENCY: W.S.P.& R. 509.238.4258
PEND ORIELLE COUNTY SHERIFF: 509.447.3151
DISTANCE: The laddered descent is 494 feet down
ELEVATION: 2775’
DIFFICULTY: Easy
MAPS: Washington State Parks & Rec.
GPS: 48°59’46” N 117°22’15” W
MANAGING AGENCY: W.S.P.& R. 509.238.4258
PEND ORIELLE COUNTY SHERIFF: 509.447.3151
DESCRIPTION:
Gardner Caves are located NW of Boundary Dam in NE Washington, at the Crawford State Park. The cave that is open to the public is actually 1,055 feet long, but only 494 feet of the cave is available for the public to visit.
The cave has stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones, pools, and a 2 foot diameter column.
There is a place near the entrance that you can look up at the ceiling, and see the roots of trees that penetrate from the sub-surface.
The stair way down into the cave is sturdy and the 125 foot drop is well lite for good views and photography.
But be aware, the cave from the beginning is a constant 39°f. Bring a warm clothing to stay comfortable.
If you do the tour, the guide will take you down 125 feet to the end. While down at the bottom, the guide will explain the dead quiet, and zero light.
Then he will turn the lights off for a minute or two so all can experience the total darkness and quiet.
Access to the cave is allowed only with a tour guide from State Parks. The reason is simple. People have broken off pieces and damages the cave features. Even touching the walls and other features, severely damages them.
Way back in 1899, Ed Gardner discovered the caves, and was rumored to have used the cave to hide his bootlegged booze.
The cave is only open to the public in the summer.
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH ANY NATURAL ITEMS LIKE THE CHRISTMAS TREE, OR ANY OTHER FEATURES. THE OILS ON OUR HANDS, CAUSE THE MINERAL WATER TO RUN OFF AND NOT ACCUMULATE INTO THE BEAUTIFUL FEATURES WE ALL GO TO SEE.
The cave has stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones, pools, and a 2 foot diameter column.
There is a place near the entrance that you can look up at the ceiling, and see the roots of trees that penetrate from the sub-surface.
The stair way down into the cave is sturdy and the 125 foot drop is well lite for good views and photography.
But be aware, the cave from the beginning is a constant 39°f. Bring a warm clothing to stay comfortable.
If you do the tour, the guide will take you down 125 feet to the end. While down at the bottom, the guide will explain the dead quiet, and zero light.
Then he will turn the lights off for a minute or two so all can experience the total darkness and quiet.
Access to the cave is allowed only with a tour guide from State Parks. The reason is simple. People have broken off pieces and damages the cave features. Even touching the walls and other features, severely damages them.
Way back in 1899, Ed Gardner discovered the caves, and was rumored to have used the cave to hide his bootlegged booze.
The cave is only open to the public in the summer.
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH ANY NATURAL ITEMS LIKE THE CHRISTMAS TREE, OR ANY OTHER FEATURES. THE OILS ON OUR HANDS, CAUSE THE MINERAL WATER TO RUN OFF AND NOT ACCUMULATE INTO THE BEAUTIFUL FEATURES WE ALL GO TO SEE.
DIRECTIONS:
Located 11 miles north of Metaline, Wash., in the extreme northeastern corner of the state in Pend Oreille County.
From Spokane:Take Hwy. 2 north to SR 211, and turn left. Continue on to SR 20, and turn left again, heading north. At Tiger, SR 20 turns left to Colville, but you should continue heading north on SR 31. Follow signs to Ione, Metaline and Metaline Falls. Once in Metaline, follow highway signs to Crawford State Park.
From Spokane:Take Hwy. 2 north to SR 211, and turn left. Continue on to SR 20, and turn left again, heading north. At Tiger, SR 20 turns left to Colville, but you should continue heading north on SR 31. Follow signs to Ione, Metaline and Metaline Falls. Once in Metaline, follow highway signs to Crawford State Park.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Boundary Dam on the Pend Orielle River, Z Canyon and Pewee Falls are just up stream from the dam’s free campgrounds.
Sweetwater Creek Falls near Ione.
Crystal Falls NE of Colville
Sweetwater Creek Falls near Ione.
Crystal Falls NE of Colville
HAZARDS:
The cave is 39° year round. Dress warm with gloves and stocking caps.
R & P:
NA
GARDNER CAVE, CRAWFORD STATE PARK
THE ENTERY STAIRS
CHRISTMAS TREE
UNUSUAL CAVE FEARTURE
GARDNER CAVE FEATURE
Crawford State Park feels like it's at the end of the earth, and its star attraction, Gardner Cave, feels like the center of the earth.
Tucked away in the northeast corner of Washington, near the U.S.-Canada and Washington-Idaho borders, Crawford State Park is an unassuming day-use park – on the surface. But a tour of Gardner Cave reveals an underworld of deep geologic mystery. Gardner Cave is a 500 million-year-old cavern that measures approximately 2,072 feet in length and 295 feet in depth. Its floors, ceilings and walls are rich with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and rimstone pools. These features, which your interpretive guide will teach you to recognize, are illuminated by electric lighting. Adults and kids who bring flashlights will have fun shining their beams into dark corners, and flash photography is allowed inside the cave.
Hailed as a "natural wonder" by the 1911 federal land survey that mapped it, Gardner Cave is not only one of Washington's longest caves, it offers easy access and one of the most intriguing underground landscapes in the western U.S.
Nab one of 10 first-come, first-served picnic tables; choose a sheltered table, a table at the cave's entrance, or a table on the U.S.-Canada border, among others. Warm up in the park or cool down in the cave, but remember to layer your clothing. Its cold inside the cave.
This place at the "end of the earth" gets hot in the summer, and temperatures may drop to 39 degrees on your way to the cave's center.
PARK FEATURES
Crawford State Park Heritage Site is a 40-acre, forested day-use park featuring Gardner Cave, a unique and tour-worthy cavern.
Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Boating
Camping
HistoryADA AMENITIES/FACILITIES
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
The park provides one picnic shelter without electricity, plus two sheltered and 11 unsheltered picnic tables. A restroom is also provided. All are available first come, first served.
GARDNER CAVE TOURS
Thursday though Monday: 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tucked away in the northeast corner of Washington, near the U.S.-Canada and Washington-Idaho borders, Crawford State Park is an unassuming day-use park – on the surface. But a tour of Gardner Cave reveals an underworld of deep geologic mystery. Gardner Cave is a 500 million-year-old cavern that measures approximately 2,072 feet in length and 295 feet in depth. Its floors, ceilings and walls are rich with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and rimstone pools. These features, which your interpretive guide will teach you to recognize, are illuminated by electric lighting. Adults and kids who bring flashlights will have fun shining their beams into dark corners, and flash photography is allowed inside the cave.
Hailed as a "natural wonder" by the 1911 federal land survey that mapped it, Gardner Cave is not only one of Washington's longest caves, it offers easy access and one of the most intriguing underground landscapes in the western U.S.
Nab one of 10 first-come, first-served picnic tables; choose a sheltered table, a table at the cave's entrance, or a table on the U.S.-Canada border, among others. Warm up in the park or cool down in the cave, but remember to layer your clothing. Its cold inside the cave.
This place at the "end of the earth" gets hot in the summer, and temperatures may drop to 39 degrees on your way to the cave's center.
PARK FEATURES
Crawford State Park Heritage Site is a 40-acre, forested day-use park featuring Gardner Cave, a unique and tour-worthy cavern.
Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Boating
Camping
HistoryADA AMENITIES/FACILITIES
- Restroom
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
The park provides one picnic shelter without electricity, plus two sheltered and 11 unsheltered picnic tables. A restroom is also provided. All are available first come, first served.
GARDNER CAVE TOURS
Thursday though Monday: 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- The main activity at Crawford State Park Heritage Site is touring Gardner Cave. With large groups and holidays, extra tours can be given. Park staff limits tour size to 25 people. A call before arrival will help in accommodating large groups. Call Crawford State Park at (509) 446-4065.
- Suitable walking shoes or hiking boots are recommended for touring the caves and surrounding area.
- The surrounding area has many events and outdoor activities. Contact the Metaline Falls Chamber of Commerce and the National Forest Service. Metaline Falls is located in the Colville National Forest.
- Printable park brochure (PDF).
