United States
Oregon (OR)
Cave Junction
Things to Do in Cave Junction
Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum
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Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum
5
81 reviews
#2 of 14 things to do in Cave Junction
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About
The Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum is a 501C3 nonprofit organization based in Cave Junction, Oregon. Its main organizers and board members include many of the original Siskiyou Smokejumpers as well as community members and aviation enthusiasts alike.
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  • MamaDox
    Modesto, California12 contributions
    Must experience!
    We didn’t really know what to expect but I was intrigued so we stopped. Turned out to be a great decision and one of the most interesting places we went to on our weeklong road trip. John, our former Smokejumper/Cowboy Poet/Storyteller/ Actor/Rancher gave us a great tour and history of smokejumping and the camp. Even though this base is no longer in use, it has been designated as an historic site and all of its contents preserved and now on display. There is no cost to get in but please leave a generous donation! It is definitely worth stopping for.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 20, 2023
  • pachappa2
    Riverside, California123 contributions
    Wonderful and historic
    We saw the sign for this museum on Hw 199 just outside Cave Junction. No one was there but the note on the door said to call. Gary Buck, answered and said he would be there in 4 min. Gary was a career smokejumper himself and gave us marvelous tour of the facility complete with great stories. It made us realize who these men …and women… were and their bravery in saving our forests. Do not pass this fantastic small museum by.
    Visited June 2022
    Written July 1, 2022
  • Janet P
    McKinney, Texas13 contributions
    Living History
    I was planning on staying bout 45 minutes, before heading to my next activity. John, a smoke jumper himself, shared so much interesting history that I decided to skip the next activity, and I stayed for over 2 hours. My favorite activity in the area!
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
81 reviews
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Keith R
Alexandria45 contributions
Don't drive past it
Oct 2021
Don't let the lack of a main building fool you; the displays are spread out over three locations on the base. Best museum experience I've had in a long time. Thanks to Gary, a Vietnam vet and a former smokejumper, for a fabulous tour.
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff M
1 contribution
Visited today with the fire crew
May 2015 • Friends
This Smokejumper base is the oldest base still standing to this date and it provides the perfect view into the life of Smokejumpers as well as the brotherhood/sisterhood among the fire family.
Written June 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill B
Ashland, OR1 contribution
Fine Tribute to A Little-Recognized Group of Public Servants
May 2015 • Friends
I've visited this museum twice and will again, probably with out-of-town guests in tow. The group of volunteers--mostly retired firefighters, I believe--have restored the 1940's buildings and equipment to a point where it looks as though the actual workers have just stepped out for a smoke. Rigs on packing tables, with all the riggers' tools, sewing machines just waiting for someone to step on the power treadle, etc. An elaborate collection of photos of these wonderful young men of yesteryear.

This is a good place to break your trip down Highway 199 to the Coast. You'll be glad you did.

Bill Butler
Ashland, Oregon
Written May 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LivingOutsidetheBox
Fayetteville, GA20 contributions
Excellent for all ages!
Apr 2015 • Family
We heard about this museum only through Trip Advisor, and decided to visit based on the excellent reviews. We were not disappointed! We took our family (4 children ranging from 18 months to 10 years old), and everyone loved it. Our volunteer guide, Gary, was a former smokejumper and was a wealth of information. Not only did we learn all about the art of smokejumping and all that it entails, but we learned so much about WWII history and fascinating tidbits that were completely unknown to us previously! This place is fascinating, and well-worth a visit. It is run entirely by donations--and it took quite the fight to get this place approved to be a museum. It was worth the effort!! Thank you for a great afternoon!
Written April 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldTrvlr13
Roseburg, OR258 contributions
Recent Tour
Jun 2015 • Friends
If you know anything about wildland firefighting you will truly appreciate this museum! Even if you don't, this is a great opportunity to learn about this extreme type of firefighting.
You can do a self guided tour but I suggest taking a guided tour with one of the retired jumpers This base closed in the early 80s but the history lives on.
Even if you don't have time for a tour, I suggest making a donation to keep the museum open.
Written June 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin N
Iowa172 contributions
Very Interesting as Recounted by Former Smoke Jumper
Jun 2015 • Couples
We had 90 minuted of enthralling from a wirery/elderly man who had been a smoke jumper.

We toured several buildings, seeing original equipment and having its use explained to us in simple and understandable detail.

Great trip thorough firefighting history.
Written June 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clettis
Cave Junction, Oregon107 contributions
A Jump into History
Aug 2014 • Family
The Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum is the most interesting museum in Southern Oregon. A retired smokejumper gives you a wonderful tour pointing out everything from tools and jumpsuits to parachutes. Each guide is a virtual encyclopedia of stories about jumping, firefighting and heroes of the smokejumper world.
You can contact them directly through the website for a private tour it will be well worth your time.
It is well worth the time and the donation one gives to help support this wonderful non-profit!
Written December 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra R
Washington, NC19 contributions
Fantastic Museum to Visit
Aug 2014 • Couples
We were on our way to Crescent City and saw the sign on the highway as we passed and decided to stop. Wes was a former smokejumper and was the Host at this museum. He took so much time with us, showed us around, and told us so many stories. There is no charge for the tour but there is a donation box in the mess hall, as well as books and other things for sale. So glad we stopped and would highly recommend anyone who is in the area to visit the museum!
Written August 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tblazers
Oregon17 contributions
Amazing part of our History
This was an amazing place to visit. There were so many photographs and artifacts about smoke jumping. Staff members were former smokejumpers which made the stories come to life. I highly recommend this for veterans, families with children, and all people in general.
Written August 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brewerbi
Portland, OR47 contributions
Great Place
Jul 2014 • Couples
My wife and I spent a couple of hours here Saturday July 12, 2014 with David Laws a Smokejumper stationed at this base 1973-74. Mr. Laws made what has always been a romantic part of Western United States heritage come to life telling us of the history of smoke jumping, how it was done and who did it. He showed us throughout the base from the rooms where the shoots were packed and stored to the command center and the mess hall. What a treat. The jumpers in the war years were conscientious objectors and after the war many were returning servicemen. We learned what happened when you land in a tree, how you got back to base, what you wore and what you carried. The romance went out of this and recognition of the brutally hard and dangerous work became apparent. Envision jumping into a fire only to land 100 feet up a tree getting down fighting a fire climbing back up to untangle your shoot and then climbing back down and hiking miles back out with all your gear. Thank you for restoring and preserving this site.
Written July 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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