If you’re looking for fun things to do in the Columbia River Gorge this year, a trip to the Guler Ice Cave might just be it! Though there are many caves in Washington worth visiting, including several in the Columbia River Gorge area, the Guler Ice Cave is one of the most popular.
The Guler Ice Cave is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and is about an hour from our luxury cabins in the Columbia River Gorge. The trail to reach the cave is relatively short, but it’s plenty of fun to explore and can be added to a variety of other hikes in the area for a full day of exploring near Mt. St. Helens.
At the end of the day, the luxurious accommodations at our Hood River cabins will be waiting. Unlike most other lodging in the Hood River area, our property comprises ten unique luxury cabins in the Columbia River Gorge, affording couples the private, romantic, and luxury-filled retreat they’re looking for in this adventurous part of the country. Book your cabin at our unforgettably romantic cabins in Washington today!
Plan to Visit the Guler Ice Cave
Ice Caves in Washington – and caves in general – are popular tourist attractions, but the Guler Ice Cave is so popular because of its relative ease of access and overall length. The trail to reach the Guler Ice Cave, which is found near Mt. Adams in southwestern Washington, is less than one-mile roundtrip, which means it’s widely accessible for a variety of hikers. You do need to be able to climb up and down a somewhat steep set of stairs to get into the Guler Ice Cave, though.
The Guler Ice Cave – and most of the caves in this part of the state – are really just inactive lava tubes formed in various volcanic events. The cave is approximately 650 feet long and comprises four different sections, thanks to some previously collapsed areas. One thing that makes the Guler Ice Cave so unique is that it actually has ice in it, and it remains accessible throughout the majority of the year, unlike other ice caves in the state that are highly seasonal.
The cooler air in the Guler Ice Caves, a natural function stemming from trapped cold air at one end of the cave, was helpful once upon a time in providing ice and refrigeration for the area’s early pioneers. Due to the cool temperatures, though, the stairs into the cave can be icy, so caution is needed.
3 More Great Caves in Washington
Though the Guler Ice Cave is one of the most popular caves in Washington, there are some others worth visiting in the Columbia River Gorge.
- The Cheese Cave is also located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, not too far from the Guler Ice Cave. This cave is comprised of a 2060-foot-long lava tube and, interestingly, was once used for refrigeration by the Guler Cheese Company. You can even see some old wooden shelves inside that were used for storage! To reach the cave, you need to climb down a ladder.
- Another of the most popular caves in Washington is Ape Cave, located a bit closer to Mt. St. Helens and within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Ape Cave is approximately 2.5 miles long, making it the third longest lava tube in North America. The staircase to get into the cave is at the end of a short hike, about 0.5 miles long. Once in the cave, you can choose one of two passageways, though the lower passage is generally considered the easier route.
- It’s a little farther away, but the Layser Cave is another option for those interested in exploring caves in Washington. It’s a pretty small cave, but it’s interesting in that Native Americans once used it as a shelter. Over the years, there’s been quite a bit of archeological evidence gathered from this site.
- One of the closest caves in Washington is the Falls Creek Cave. This lesser-known cave is excellent for those looking for spelunking opportunities, but the entrance to this cave can be a little tricky to find. Once you find it, though, you’ll have a little over a mile of the cave to explore!
After you’re done exploring the Guler Ice cave or these other remarkable caves in Washington, a relaxing evening at our luxury cabins in the Columbia River Gorge will be waiting for you. We’re just minutes from some of the top restaurants in Stevenson and a short drive away from Hood River Restaurants. Otherwise, we offer you everything you need for a restful escape away from home – including in-cabin massages!
If you’re ready to experience the best of the Columbia River Gorge in 2023, it’s time to book your cabin getaway at our top-rated Hood River Cabins.
