A Charming Oregon City Surrounded By Mountains Boasts Awe-Inspiring Caves And Scenic Views

When you really think about it, Oregon has plenty to envy. From unspoiled coastline to high desert to snow-capped volcanoes, it's a state that seemingly has it all. While some visitors may be tempted to just spend most of their time up north exploring the amazing restaurants and cafes of Portland, hiking into hidden hot springs, or relaxing at this perfect spot on the Columbia River, Southern Oregon also boasts an array of gems, including the cool little town of Cave Junction.

Situated just a stone's throw from the California border in the rugged Siskiyou Range, Cave Junction is Oregon at its most charming. This tight-knit community of just over 2,000 people is awash in small-town vibes among surroundings that can only be described as a natural playground. As its name also suggests, it's also the gateway to the Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, a treasure trove of geological wonder that has been attracting visitors for over a century.

Cave Junction is built up around the intersection of the Redwood Highway (U.S. 199) and State Route 46, also known as the Caves Highway, which leads out to the national monument. Long utilized as a place to get gas and grab a bite to eat, the town also makes a terrific base of operations for exploring the greater area.

The star of the show, of course, is the Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve. Discovered by a hunter in 1874, the caves were afforded federal protection by President Taft in 1909, and since then have been drawing geology enthusiasts and other visitors keen to spelunk its twisting passages and marble halls firsthand. It's possible to head into the caves via guided tour, and the site also has 17 first-come-first-serve campsites for anyone wishing to stay overnight.

You can also grab a room closer to town, and just like at this sustainable slice of heaven in Japan, that may mean staying in a treehouse. Out 'n' About Treehouse Treesort and Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise both offer cabins among the limbs that deliver both novelty and comfort, allowing guests a magical, one-of-a-kind experience that is also very much in tune with the local environment. For those who prefer to sleep closer to the ground, the Laughing Alpaca Campground and RV Park occupies an idyllic spot on the banks of the Illinois River and hosts RVs, vans, jeeps, and tents with full hookups and other amenities.

The real reason for making the trip to Cave Junction is to experience the natural splendor of the wild country that surrounds it. The pristine Illinois River runs through a gorgeous valley and is considered one of the most untouched rivers in the American West due to the lack of roads (and dams) in the area. While many anglers come to the Illinois in hopes of hooking into a wild salmon or steelhead, the river's multitude of rapids make it a world-class whitewater rafting run, with several local outfitters offering multi-day excursions.

For lovers of flora, the Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside is a terrific place to spot wildflowers and other diverse plant life. This nature preserve is made up of a 19-acre Oregon State Park, a 1,164-acre BLM Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and a 1,560-acre US Forest Service Botanical Area. The wayside is served by a well-maintained path that offers striking views of the surrounding mountains and forests, making it the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the medicine that only pure nature can deliver.

One of the reasons that Cave Junction and the region that surrounds it has been able to maintain its myriad charms is because of its relative remoteness. The nearest international airport is Portland, Oregon (PDX), which is a four-and-a-half-hour drive. You can also reach the town by flying into Sacramento, California, and heading north for six hours. Either way, it takes a while to get there, which means anyone who makes the trip will be amply rewarded. While you're in southern Oregon, why not check out the deepest lake in the United States?