Tucked back in the wilds of the Sequoia National Forest, between Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks [1], Boyden Cavern (74101 E. Kings Canyon Rd., 559/338-0959, www.caverntours.com/BoydenRt.htm [2], tours daily mid-Apr.–mid-Nov., $20 park fee plus tour cost) gives visitors an up-close and personal cave experience. Inside Boyden, “please try not to touch the formations” takes on a new meaning—that is, turn sideways to avoid the walls and duck to keep from hitting your head on stalactites that are many thousands of yeards old.
This modest-sized cavern network contains plenty of draperies, pancakes, stalactites, and other calcite structures. You can stare right at them, up into them, and in some cases walk all the way around them.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/yosemite-and-the-eastern-sierra/sequoia-and-kings-canyon-national-parks
[2] http://www.caverntours.com/BoydenRt.htm