The Mercer Caverns were discovered in 1885 by gold prospector Walter J. Mercer and were opened to the public later that year. The series of caves are enormous, stretching over three thousand feet into the surrounding limestone and reaching a depth of 192 feet. If you would like to see the beautiful interiors of the cave system you can join a guided tour – tours last around 45 minutes and are offered every half an hour. You will need to be reasonably fit to complete the tour as there are over 200 steps to climb each way, the equivalent of climbing 16 flights of stairs. (There is no elevator). However, there are many stops along the way where you can take a breather. Remember to bring your camera – flash photography is allowed in the caves.

Mercer Caverns, 1665 Sheep Ranch Rd, Murphys, CA 95247, Phone: 209-728-2101

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