--- title: "Black Chasm Cavern | Arnold Haven" description: "Black Chasm Cavern from Arnold: rare helictite crystals, a stairs-and-platforms walking tour, and how it compares with the other caves nearby." lang: en json-ld: --- [Skip to content](#main-content) [![](/__l5e/assets-v1/84bf9984-9cf8-406b-aaf5-dbde0a9f8c6a/arnold-haven-mark-white.png)Arnold Haven Arnold · California ](/) [Cabins](/cabins)[Explore](/explore)[Guides](/guides)[Membership](/circle)[Support](/chalet-bruin-future)[Merch](/merch)[Book a stay](/cabins) ![Black Chasm Cavern](/assets/black-chasm-crystals-B_dmSzj2.jpg) Explore Arnold # Black Chasm Cavern A National Natural Landmark near Volcano, famous for rare helictite crystals that grow sideways in defiance of gravity. The fourth of the area's show caves, and about an hour from the cabins. [Check availability](/cabins)[See the cabins](/cabins) First things first ## First things first Black Chasm is the connoisseur's cave of the four you can visit from Arnold. It is not the biggest — Moaning Caverns holds that — and it is not the deepest, but it holds one of the finest displays of helictites in the world: thin, twisting crystal threads that grow outwards and upwards rather than dripping downwards, and nobody fully agrees why. It is about an hour from Chalet Bruin and Koda Loft, near Volcano in Amador County. The walking tour is on stairs and platforms, takes under an hour, and does not involve crawling — a good option for people who want a cave without the adventure. ![A lit limestone cave chamber of pale formations above a metal walkway railing](/assets/black-chasm-crystals-B_dmSzj2.jpg) Geography ## Where Black Chasm Cavern sits ![Illustrated antique-style map of California inside the United States with a gold marker on Black Chasm Cavern near Volcano](/assets/black-chasm-DgMVa3P6.jpg) Illustrated locator map — for orientation, not navigation. A National Natural Landmark known for rare helictite crystals that grow sideways rather than dripping downwards. The visit is a guided walking tour on stairs and platforms; the cave holds about 58 degrees all year. About an hour from both cabins — the fourth show cave within reach, alongside Moaning, Mercer and California Cavern. Region Sierra Nevada foothills, the limestone belt near Volcano County Amador County Elevation About 2,000 ft Nearest town Volcano, five minutes away Getting there Highway 49 north to Jackson, then east on the Volcano road 02 ## The tour, plainly The standard visit is a guided walking tour down a series of metal stairways to viewing platforms above a large chamber, with the helictite formations lit and explained. The cave stays around 58 degrees all year, so bring a layer even in August. There are a lot of steps, which makes it unsuitable for anyone who cannot manage stairs, and small children need holding on the platforms. Tours run on a schedule and the last one leaves well before closing — check current times, and book ahead on summer weekends and holidays. ![A lit limestone cave chamber of pale formations above a metal walkway railing](/assets/black-chasm-crystals-B_dmSzj2.jpg) ![A fenced stairway descending into a rock cave entrance in pine and oak woodland](/assets/black-chasm-entrance-48snvmXU.jpg) 03 ## Above ground, and what else to do The site has a gift shop, picnic tables and a gemstone-panning trough that keeps children happy for longer than you would expect. It sits in oak and pine woodland with an easy short walk around the property. Because it is close to Volcano and Indian Grinding Rock, this is the natural anchor for an Amador day: cave in the morning, the grinding rock and a picnic at midday, Volcano or Sutter Creek in the afternoon. 04 ## Where to stay near Black Chasm There is no lodging at the cave. Both cabins are about an hour away in Arnold, which also puts Moaning Caverns and Mercer Caverns within twenty-five minutes of your door — enough to build a cave-hopping stay if that is your family's idea of a good week. - [CHALET BRUIN — 12 guests, 5 bedrooms→ ](/cabins/chalet-bruin) - [KODA LOFT — 4 guests, 2 bedrooms→ ](/cabins/koda-loft) Nearby ## Keep exploring [ ![Volcano](/assets/volcano-hotel-Bg92nepy.jpg) ### Volcano Five minutes away: the hamlet in the limestone bowl, with the 1862 hotel. Discover ↗ ](/explore/volcano-ca) [ ![Indian Grinding Rock](/assets/grinding-rock-mortars-wGgOGr_q.jpg) ### Indian Grinding Rock Ten minutes on: the largest bedrock mortar site in North America. Discover ↗ ](/explore/indian-grinding-rock) [ ![Moaning Caverns](/assets/moaning-caverns-Doht0WjJ.webp) ### Moaning Caverns Twenty minutes from the cabins, and the biggest single chamber in California. Discover ↗ ](/explore/moaning-caverns) Good to know ## Frequently asked questions How far is Black Chasm Cavern from Arnold? + About an hour — Highway 4 to Angels Camp, Highway 49 north past Jackson, then east towards Volcano. What makes it different from the other caves? + Its helictites: rare crystal formations that grow sideways instead of hanging down. It is a walking tour on stairs and platforms, with no crawling. Is it suitable for young children or limited mobility? + Children are fine with an adult holding them on the platforms. There are many steps, so it does not suit anyone who cannot manage stairs. Do we need to book? + Tours run on a set schedule and fill on summer weekends and holidays — check current times and reserve ahead where you can. ![](/__l5e/assets-v1/84bf9984-9cf8-406b-aaf5-dbde0a9f8c6a/arnold-haven-mark-white.png) Arnold Haven Cabin stays in Arnold, California — minutes from Calaveras Big Trees State Park, White Pines Lake and Bear Valley. 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