Frequently Asked Questions
 
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What Are the Age and Size Requirements?

How accessible are the different locations?

What are the age & size limits?

What else is there to do in the area?

What are the best times to visit?

Can I bring my camera?

How should I dress?

Do I qualify for a discount?

What facilities are at the caverns & gold mines?

Can I bring food and drinks underground?

What are the operating dates & times?

What information can you give private pilots?

Where can I stay nearby?

What are the regular prices?

What are the discount prices?

How and when should I make reservations?

What are the driving conditions in the area?

How safe are the tours & expeditions?

What are the tour sizes?

What kinds of tours & trips are at each location?

What travel distances & times should I allow?

Can I use my own equipment?



A: Black Chasm
Walking tours - The stairs make it unsafe to carry a child without support and prevent the use of strollers or wheelchairs, so children need to be old enough to walk on their own or small enough to fit in a front carrier.

Labyrinth Tour - Available for ages 8 and up only. Must be in good health and physically fit.

Boyden Cavern
Walking tours - Because of low ceilings which prevent the use of backpacks, children need to be old enough to walk on their own, or small enough to fit in a front carrier. The narrow, uneven path prevents the use of strollers and wheelchairs. There are no maximum size limits; however, keep in mind that there are occasional narrow passages and low ceilings that may require some maneuvering.

California Cavern
Walking tours - Because of low ceilings which prevent the use of backpacks, children need to be old enough to walk on their own, or small enough to fit in a front carrier. The narrow, uneven path prevents the use of strollers and wheelchairs. There are no maximum size limits; however, keep in mind that there are occasional narrow passages and low ceilings that may require some maneuvering.

Mammoth Cave Expedition- Cavern exploration requires good health! Those with conditions such as heart and lung problems, pregnancy, impaired mobility or excessive weight should not attempt the adventure. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY US IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR GROUP MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION OR AWARENESS ON THE PART OF YOUR GUIDE! Participants must be at least 8 years old, 3.5 feet tall, and 50 pounds. There are no maximum limits, however, keep in mind that the trip includes squeezing through passages with diameters as narrow as 24 inches. Guides will limit participation to persons they believe to be suitable and fit. Although our cavern trips involve little danger, all participants and parents of participating minor children are required to sign a waiver of liability.

Middle Earth Expedition- Cavern exploration requires good health, and this particular expedition requires the most stamina, since it can be up to 5 hours long. Those with conditions such as heart and lung problems, pregnancy, impaired mobility or excessive weight should not attempt the adventure. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY US IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR GROUP MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION OR AWARENESS ON THE PART OF YOUR GUIDE! Participants must be at least 16 years old, 5 feet tall, and 100 pounds. There are no maximum limits, however, keep in mind that the trip includes squeezing through passages with diameters as narrow as 24 inches. Guides will limit participation to persons they believe to be suitable and fit. Although our cavern trips involve little danger, all participants and parents of participating minor children are required to sign a waiver of liability.

Gold Cliff Mine
Adventure Trip- Exploration of this historic gold mine requires good health! Those with conditions such as heart and lung problems, pregnancy, impaired mobility or excessive weight should not attempt the adventure. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY US IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR GROUP MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION OR AWARENESS ON THE PART OF YOUR GUIDE! Participants must be at least 12 years old. Guides will limit participation to persons they believe to be suitable and fit. All participants and parents of participating minor children are required to sign a waiver of liability.

Moaning Cavern
Walking tours- Because the narrow and low entrance passage prevents the use of backpacks, and the stairs make it unsafe to carry a child without support and prevents the use of strollers or wheelchairs, children need to be old enough to walk on their own or small enough to fit in a front carrier.

Rappel- participants need to be at least 12 years old, 100 pounds, 4 feet tall. There is no maximum age or weight limit. Please be aware that any minor participants must be at least 12 years old, and special restrictions apply. There are five ways a minor child (aged 12 to 17) may rappel at Moaning Cavern:
  1. Their parent or legal guardian is present to evaluate the rappel, complete and sign the waiver.
  2. They bring a signed waiver that has been notarized.
  3. They bring a signed waiver that has been witnessed by another adult who is present at the cavern and can verify the signature.
  4. They bring a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian authorizing another adult who is present at the cavern to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.
  5. They bring a signed letter from a parent or legal guardian which includes a witness signature of another adult who is present at the cavern who can verify their signature, authorizing that adult to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.

Adventure Trip with rappel - Cavern exploration requires good health! Those with conditions such as heart and lung problems, pregnancy, impaired mobility or excessive weight should not attempt the adventure. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY US IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR GROUP MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION OR AWARENESS ON THE PART OF YOUR GUIDE! Participants must be at least 12 years old. Guides will limit participation to persons they believe to be suitable and fit. Although our cavern trips involve little danger, all participants and parents of participating minor children are required to sign a waiver of liability. This trip includes the rappel, which carries special restrictions; there are five ways a minor child (aged 12 to 17) may rappel at Moaning Cavern:

  1. Their parent or legal guardian is present to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.
  2. They bring a signed waiver that has been notarized.
  3. They bring a signed waiver that has been witnessed by another adult who is present at the cavern and can verify the signature.
  4. They bring a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian authorizing another adult who is present at the cavern to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.
  5. They bring a signed letter from a parent or legal guardian which includes a witness signature of another adult who is present at the cavern who can verify their signature, authorizing that adult to evaluate the rappel and sign the waiver.

Adventure Trip without rappel - same limits as Adventure Trip with the rappel, except parent or legal guardian need not be present for minor child if the waiver is signed by an absentee parent.

Zip Lines - there are no age requirements - but all participants must meet the weight requirement which averages between 70 and 260 pounds. All participants must complete a release and waiver of liability form. Parents must complete this form for their minor children.

Sutter Gold Mine
Walk Tour - every participant must wear a hardhat. For this reason, the age requirement for this trip is at least 4 years old, and entirely depends on whether the participant will keep on the hardhat, and will stay safely seated in the Boss Buggy when it is moving.


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