Skylight Cave Oregon: An off-the-beaten-path gem near Sisters + Bend OR

If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve probably seen them: Pictures of hikers standing in a beam of sunlight, their surroundings shrouded in shadow. Whether or not you want to pose in a narrow sunbeam, something tells me you will want to visit Skylight Cave, Oregon near Sisters.

This out-of-the-way wonder is a stretch of underground tunnel with several openings at the top of the cave. For an hour or two each day, sunlight streams in, leaving spotlights on the cave floor.

Skylight Cave, Oregon isn’t convenient; you have to drive outside Sisters, OR on bumpy forest roads to get there. But once you arrive, it’s totally easy to explore this small Oregon cave. 

And when you time your visit right, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking sight. 

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Exploring this Oregon cave near Sisters, OR

When you reach Skylight Cave, you’ll climb down a metal ladder bolted to the stone. (It’s really sturdy, I promise!) This takes you into a natural basin between the two sections of the cave.

Don’t forget your flashlight!

With the ladder at your back, if you turn right, you can walk less than a quarter-mile through this underground tunnel. The ground is uneven, and you’ll have to climb over some stones. The ceiling is very low in a few parts.

You’ll soon reach a dead end. I recommend going this way first if you’re early to the cave, or if there are more people than you’re comfortable with in the other part of Skylight Cave.

To see the star attractions, turn left.

Beams of light in Skylight Cave, Oregon

When you turn left from the ladder, you’ll walk into the main part of Skylight Cave. Step over uneven, rocky ground and you’ll soon reach an open cavern. Here is where Skylight Cave gets its name: Three holes in the cave ceiling let in sunlight from about 8 – 10am during the summer.

This “room” is the largest in the small Skylight Cave underground system. Walk to one side and then the other to get a 360-degree view of the sunbeams. You can see them from every angle. 

Chances are, other visitors will be in the cave with you. I found that people were pretty good at taking turns to get close to the sunbeams. 

Some folks took those iconic standing in light photos or the ones that look like they’re catching sunlight in their hand. Others (like me) simply enjoyed the streams of light from a distance. 

Photography tips to take pictures of cave sunbeams

It’s not easy to take photos inside a cave!

If you’re looking to capture truly amazing photos, you’ll need a tripod. (I own and love this budget tripod). It’s still not easy, though. You’ll have to set up in the dark (of course) and the ground is uneven, making it tricky to get your tripod stable.

If you’re not bringing a tripod, I still have some photography tips for you.

1. Do not take a photograph on auto mode. This will use the flash and blind everyone! On an iphone, click the lightning bolt icon to turn off flash. On a DSLR, use manual mode or shutter speed mode.
2. Adjust your DSLR’s ISO to the highest it can go. This will help you capture more light.
3. Adjust your DSLR’s shutter speed to very slow—i.e. 1/80. This will require your aperture to be set to the widest it can—4.5 or whatever your lens’ limit. You’ll need to take a few practice shots to adjust, getting your settings right.
4. Create a “tripod” with your body. As you hold the camera, tuck your elbows against your torso, which makes your upper body more stable. If you’re kneeling, rest your elbow on your knee, which also makes you more stable.
5. Snap a photo at the end of an exhale. (Yep, your breathing jiggles the camera, too!) This will minimize movement, helping you get a crisper, clearer photograph.

Must-know details to visit Skylight Cave

Flashlights:  The flashlight on your cell phone is straight-up not strong enough. You need at least one legit flashlight to explore Skylight Cave, Oregon. 

I recommend bringing a MagLight or something similar. It’s best to bring a second, backup flashlight as a precaution.

Bottom line: You don’t want to trip or twist an ankle because you didn’t bring a decent flashlight. Come prepared.

Courtesy in the cave: When you’re next to the sunbeams, do your best to keep your flashlight off (as long as it’s safe). That way the flashlight won’t interfere with other people’s enjoyment of the skylights. 

Animals: No pets are allowed inside Skylight Cave. (Even if they were, I don’t know a lot of dogs that could climb the ladder down!)

Food: No eating inside the cave system.

Time to hike Skylight Cave: You’ll probably need 20-40 minutes to explore the cave system. The underground tunnels themselves are quite short but you’ll want to hang out and admire the sunbeams for a while!

Directions to Skylight Cave, Oregon

If you want directions to Skylight Cave, read on—and print them out! You’ll likely lose service on this drive.

Secondly, make sure your car has decent clearance. You’ll be driving over bumpy forest roads that are minimally maintained. I drove in my Forester and had zero problems. I also saw sedans making the drive.

Here are directions to Skylight Cave:

Directions to Skylight Cave, Oregon

Print

Skylight Cave is an epic, out of the way cave in Central Oregon. But you'll need to look up—and print—directions before you go. Here's how to get to Skylight Cave, Oregon near Sisters and Bend, OR.

Instructions

1. From Highway 126/20, turn south onto McAllister Road. This is directly across from the sign to Camp Sherman. If you're coming from Eugene, you'll turn right onto McAllister; if you're coming from Sisters, you'll turn left onto McAllister.
2. After a quarter-mile, turn right onto Forest Road 2061.
3. Continue 6 miles down Forest Road 2061. You'll pass many turn-offs—some are private land, some are unmarked. Don't turn onto any of these.
4. Look for a wide clearing with trees. Continue downhill around this clearing.
5. Shortly after you pass the clearing, turn left at the fork onto Forest Road 1028.
6. After about a half-mile, turn left onto Forest Road 260. This turns into 2060. The road gets extra-bumpy here.
7. Continue on 260/2060 for about a mile. Look for several unpaved, dirt parking areas on either side of the road. Park in one of these.
8. Continue by walking; Skylight Cave is on your right. You'll see a wooden announcement sign and a visitor's book. You made it!

Recommended Products

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  Our go-to Oregon hiking book
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  Headlamps leave your hands free
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  You'll need a legit flashlight. I love Mag Lights.

Did you try this? What did you think?

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I’m curious: Have you ever explored an underground cave system? Would you??

PS – Want more? Check out my post on exploring Lava River Cave in Central Oregon near Bend—only an hour away.