Where Is Moaning Caverns?

Moaning Caverns is a solutional cave located in the Calaveras County, California, near Vallecito, California in the heart of the state's Gold Country. It is developed in marble of the Calaveras Formation.

Is the Moaning Cavern still forming?

Moaning Caverns today

Today Moaning Caverns includes a nature gift shop, gem mining and gold panning operation, a developed nature trail and picnic areas. Two different tours are offered into the cavern. Both tours are available year-round. The Spiral Tour is our most popular tour.

Why is Moaning Caverns Called Moaning Caverns?

Moaning Cavern

Discovered by miners in 1851, Moaning Caverns—the largest public cavern in California, and massive enough to hold the entire Statue of Liberty—was named for the spooky sounds that emanate from its entrance. Early visitors would climb into a large bucket and then be slowly lowered to the chamber's floor.