Guide to Exploring Upana Caves, Gold River, Vancouver Island

Are you an adventure seeker looking for a chance to do something different? The Upana Caves in Gold River, BC, await you. With over hundreds of meters of limestone passages and a waterfall, these caves offer an adventure like no other. Perfect for both beginners and experienced spelunkers, they promise an unforgettable experience.

Key takeaways

The natural limestone cave system on Vancouver Island boasts over 450 meters of passages and unique rock formations.
Ideal for both beginners and experienced spelunkers.
Explore old-growth forests, underground trails, waterfalls, and four interconnected caves.
Safety tips include bringing maps, light sources, warm clothing, and appropriate footwear.
Located near Gold River, accessible via Head Bay Forest Service Road, the main cave offers a stunning view.

What are Upana Caves?

Upana Caves, located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is a natural limestone cave. Visitors can explore the 450-meter-long and 35-meter-deep cave on a self-guided tour, usually taking an hour. The caverns boast unique rock formations, rarely seen in other caverns, and offer breathtaking vistas of stalactites and stalagmites, making it an ideal spot for capturing stunning images of nature’s wonders.

What are the main features?

Upana Caves offers a unique, family-friendly outdoor experience. Visitors can explore the interconnected caves and take in the views from two overlooks that offer spectacular vistas of the river canyon and waterfall. The cave system is easily accessible with clear signs and trails for visitors to follow, although proper footwear and outdoor gear are necessary for safety.

Children should be extra cautious to ensure their safety within the cave system. With just an hour’s worth of exploring, any family can make lasting memories at this breathtaking destination!

This short, family-friendly hike offers a self-guided tour through the cave system that takes about an hour. You’ll see:
Old-growth forests
Platforms for photographers (one overlooking the waterfall, another the river canyon)
Underground trails
Waterfalls
Four interconnected caves form a complex system of tunnels.
While there are clear signs and trails to follow, common sense and appropriate outdoor gear are necessary to keep visitors safe and keep the caves in excellent condition.
The key features include weathered rock, a moist atmosphere, a short descent into caverns, and tunnels to explore.

The cave adventure

Visitors will find five caverns and a waterfall, perfect for a day of recreation. A trail network runs through the caverns for those wanting to explore this underground environment.

For those looking for a unique viewpoint, the observation platform offers fantastic views of the Resurgence Cave. Take caution when exploring these caves: low ceilings can trap visitors.

This system of underground caves is named Upana after the underground river.
Remember to be cautious when exploring. If you’re not careful, low cave ceilings can easily trap you, especially in narrow tunnels.
There’s a trail system leading visitors to the caves, making it simple to get around without getting lost or feeling too isolated.
The observation platform offers fantastic views of the Resurgence cave entrance, making it a wonderful place to take in all the sights and sounds of this fascinating attraction.

How to explore and photograph Upana Caves

Research the caves.

To begin exploring, prepare for potential hazards. It’s important to have a map, multiple sources of light, and extra warm clothing on hand, particularly if the temperature changes during your visit.

Preparing for the hike

When exploring, use caution and dress appropriately. It is important to monitor any children while exploring, especially in the spring/autumn seasons when water levels are high.

There are several entrances and viewpoints, so it is best to take time and explore them thoroughly before returning to the parking lot.

Safety precautions while exploring the caves

In a cave, avoid running or jumping. Consider your every step.
Avoid going inside when there’s a chance of rain, as it often leads to rapid flooding.
Never touch or damage stalagmites and other cave formations, as they form an integral part of the natural recreation environment. These take a very long time to develop.

Leave no trace behind you

To protect the environment, it is essential to leave no trace behind when exploring. This includes staying on designated trails, not littering, not carving in the rocks or trees, and not feeding wildlife. Doing so will help ensure that the natural beauty of the area remains preserved for future generations to enjoy.

WOW! What an experience!

Location and accessibility

From Campbell River, take Highway 28 to Gold River, then onward to Tahsis. Once past the Cala waterfall, keep an eye out for Branch H-27, turn right, and park just before the right bridge. Finally, one must cross the bridge and start their adventure.

From Campbell River, take the Gold River Highway.
Head north on Gold River Hwy/Muchalat Dr/BC-28 E toward Nimpkish Dr.
Turn left onto Gold River Rd. (signs for Tahsis/Tsaxana).
Turn left onto Head Bay Rd. (signs for Tahsis).
It is about a 30-minute drive.

Along the Head Bay road, you will pass over a bridge, providing a perfect opportunity to photograph Cala waterfalls and the nearby creek.

Driving Tip

Safety and Comfort

Exploring and photographing caves can be a thrilling adventure, but safety and comfort should always be a priority. Be sure to bring a map, plenty of light sources, appropriate clothing, and a helmet for protection. Temperature inside the cave may fluctuate, so it is important to dress appropriately.

Staying safe while exploring will help ensure that your experience is as enjoyable as possible, whether you’re on a guided tour or going solo!

Cave Features

Upana Caves is a captivating natural attraction, boasting an extensive 450-meter-long cave system of a variety of chambers and passages. It’s a wonderful place for those interested in exploring, as its many features make for an incredible experience.

Discover a multitude of captivating features.
This cave system stretches over 450 meters long and contains a variety of different-sized chambers and passages.
The various features make it an incredibly fascinating place to visit and photograph.

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Lights and headlamps

It’s dark in their caves. Therefore, lighting plays a crucial role when exploring and taking photographs in these caves. It’s essential to carry a map, light sources, and extra warm clothing to protect from potential hazards. Adapting to drastic temperature changes is crucial.

Helmets can provide protection from bumps or falls in a cave’s tight space, although they are unnecessary.

Exploring and photographing

Normally, I would suggest you leave the tripod at home. However, there are several larger, dark interior caves where using the tripod will be essential. During your visit, be sure to pay attention to the intricate details within the caves.

Exploring the cave passages

Upana Caves on Vancouver Island is a fascinating and wonderful place to explore and take pictures. Visitors may simply enter and explore the extensive network of underground caves. The Upana caverns’ overall length is 450 meters, and their vertical depth is 35 meters. It takes around an hour to complete the self-guided tour.

Cave Entrances

This cave system has multiple entrances, varying sizes and features. These entrances provide access to the cave’s 450-meter-long passages, allowing visitors to explore and photograph the various rooms and corridors.

Be prepare

Research the trails

By taking the time to investigate the different entrances and viewpoints, you can identify which one best suits your interests, especially the main cave.

Bring your camera.

I love photographing the caves as something different. It challenges you by limiting the equipment you can use. It will test your photography knowledge.

Because of the dark nature of cave exploration, a phone flashlight will not provide enough light for photography, especially in the main cave. It is therefore necessary to bring along an appropriate head torch, flashlight, or LED lights to capture these memories.

Prepare a plan for the trip

When exploring the caves, it is important to come prepared with the right supplies. Sensible footwear and water are essential for this recreation. If visitors plan to explore the cave system in its entirety, we recommend bringing a change of clothes and a packed lunch. We also recommend wearing warm layers due to the lower temperatures inside caves.

Let someone know about your plans.

As with any outdoor expedition, it’s crucial to let someone know when you expect to return. Just in case anything goes wrong. For safety reasons, we always recommend exploring caving with at least one other person. Also, cell service is not available once outside of Gold River.

Final Thoughts

When exploring Upana Caves here on Vancouver Island, it is important to take safety precautions. It is advisable to bring a flashlight or head torch to see in the dark. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, as temperatures inside the cave can be cooler than expected.
Bring snacks, water, and a change of clothes for your exploratory trip. Bringing along a first aid kit. Check the weather before heading, and drive slowly when passing logging trucks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the longest cave on Vancouver Island?

Thanksgiving Cave is the longest cave on Vancouver Island, measuring 7.6 kilometres (4.7 miles) in length on a map. Thanksgiving Cave is situated close to Tahsis in Weymer Provincial Park. Many additional caverns on the island are longer than two kilometres (1.2 miles).

What are the dangers of exploring Upana Caves?

If you don’t take appropriate safety measures, exploring caves can be dangerous. Joining a guided tour can mitigate the risk of fast-flowing underground rivers and becoming lost inside the cave. To minimize the risks, explorers should always carry a map of the cave system and enough supplies to get them through an unexpected stay in the cave. Additionally, explorers should pack appropriate clothing for different seasons, as caves experience minimal temperature changes throughout the year.

How many caves are on Vancouver Island?

Experts estimate that Vancouver Island is home to over 200 caves. Some of these are among the longest and deepest cave systems in Canada. Upana Caves, located near Gold River, is one of the most popular caves to explore and photograph on Vancouver Island.