Exciting adventures await around every corner of the Beaver State. One of the most underrated gems is Fort Rock State Park, an incredible natural rock formation located in Central Oregon’s high desert. One of the highlights of a visit to this amazing park is Fort Rock Cave. The site of several important archeological discoveries, the oldest sandals ever discovered were actually found here. Today, visitors can take a guided cave tour to learn more this area’s fascinating history. Take a look:

Located near Bend, Fort Rock State Park is an amazing rock formation rising out of the flatness of Oregon’s high desert.

Flickr/Noël

Filled with interesting history and geology, this beautiful place is a National Natural Landmark.

Trip Advisor/Paulo Gilberto G

Visitors to the park can follow a hiking trail around the basin, exploring the enormous near-circle of towering jagged rock walls.

Flickr/fritzcat

In prehistoric times, this area was actually a shallow sea and covered in water. Early native tribes canoed to and from what was then an island.

Trip Advisor/XplorerMike

The excavations at nearby Fort Rock Cave uncovered a series of fascinating artifacts left behind by the early tribes that claimed this area as home.

Flickr/John Atherton

In 1938, several 9,000 to 11,000-year-old sagebrush sandals were found here. They are the oldest ever discovered.

Wikimedia/John Atherton

One of the highlights of a trip to Fort Rock is taking the amazing guided cave tour. Note that the cave is not open to the public, and can only be visited as part of a state park tour.

Flickr/John Atherton

Whether you’re visiting the park or embarking on the cave tour, Fort Rock State Park is well-worth a trip.

Trip Advisor/Alaena H

2018 cave tours are now open for reservations. Visit the Oregon State Parks website for more information. For driving directions, click here.

Flickr/Noël

Trip Advisor/Paulo Gilberto G

Flickr/fritzcat

Trip Advisor/XplorerMike

Flickr/John Atherton

Wikimedia/John Atherton

Trip Advisor/Alaena H

Have you visited Fort Rock State Park before? Did you go on the cave tour? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!

For more adventures in the Beaver State, check out our previous article: The Thrilling Wildlife Safari In Oregon Where You Can See Exotic Animals Up Close.

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