Discover Oregon’s Enchanting Skylight Cave: A Surreal Underground Cathedral of Light Beams You Must See to Believe

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For travelers on a quest to collect moments so awe-inspiring they make you feel that time is standing still, visiting Oregon’s Skylight Cave is a must-do. Natural “skylights” cut through the cave’s dark interior where dust and other particles float like they are suspended in spotlights of sunshine. Because of this, Skylight Cave is the kind of place that makes even the longest road trip worthwhile. 

Despite its name, Skylight Cave is actually a 900-foot lava tube that formed during the Sixmile Butte eruption. As the crust cooled, the lava slowly drained away, leaving a hollow passage behind. Over time, weathering caused holes to form in the ceiling of the cave, creating cathedral-like “skylights” as well as points where people could enter and start exploring. Skylight Cave is located relatively close to the surface, and therefore, easy to climb down into — which makes it stand out from many of the 350 caves in Deschutes National Forest.

If you haven’t heard of Skylight Cave, you’re certainly not the only one. Situated a 25-minute drive from Sisters, the cave is hidden down a series of winding roads in Deschutes National Forest, home to one of America’s most enchanting and easily accessible waterfalls. Public transportation isn’t an option, so you’ll need to drive. Although the Google Maps pin is accurate, consider downloading your preferred maps app in offline mode because the cell reception in the park is unreliable at best. Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) is the closest commercial airport (30 minutes away) and welcomes flights from Portland, San Francisco, and other West Coast hubs.

To reach Skylight Cave, follow Highway 20 East until you reach the turnoff for NF-2061. From here, you’ll need to drive down several bumpy forest roads until you reach the parking lot. The last 4 miles are doable in a sedan, but you might be more comfortable in a truck or high-clearance vehicle. 

The entrance to the cave is very close to the road, and you’ll be able to follow the gently worn path. Before entering the cave, make sure to write your name in the logbook so the rangers know you are inside. In addition, bring water, a headlight like the GearLight LED Headlamp so you can keep your hands free, and a warm jacket. Temperatures in the cave are lower than you’d expect, even during the summer months.

Next, climb down the 10-foot-long metal ladder into the lava tube. This part might seem scary, but you’ll be fine once your eyes adjust to the dark. Once in the cave, you can either go right or left. Upon turning left, you’ll see the three famous “skylights” streaming into the dark cavern. If you turn right, you can follow the lava tube for 900 feet before it leaves you at a dead end.