In 1856, gold miners Nicholas Arni and Frederick Schoebel rediscovered the cave. Marble Springs Cave (later named Bower for the maple trees growing at the base of the opening creating a perfect "bower" or twined shelter) became a gathering place for the local community and travelers looking for adventure or a cool resting place. In 1861, Henri Becker purchased the cave intent upon striking it rich, not mining gold but mining pockets–tourism. Becker's intention was to develop the area into a first-rate travelers' retreat. His wife Marie was able to fulfill this dream after his tragic death in 1863. Bower Cave became a prime tourist stop between San Francisco and Yosemite. By 1874, the Yosemite-Coulterville Toll Road was active with stages, buggies and riders. Visitors to the cave paid fifty cents a tour and Marie Becker Pechart (remarried) with assistance from locally hired staff, administered their every need.

In 1898, the cave again changed hands, but not families. Caroline Becker Wenger, Marie's daughter, inherited the cave and surrounding properties. Within two years, the Wenger family settled in and became active participants in the growing Bull Creek society. Stories abound of social activities and special visitors coming to stay at the hotel and visit the cave. A pot of hot beans always sat on the stove for family and strangers alike and few friends left without carrying away a fresh-baked bread loaf.

The Big Oak Flat Road (today's Highway 120) replaced the Yosemite-Coulterville Road as the main entry to Yosemite. What had been a lively and active community soon became a ghost town. Despite the efforts of the Wenger Family, the cave and surrounding lands no longer provided a means of earning a living. In 1945, they sold he property to James and Ida Rice who had desires to create a Disabled Veterans' Recreation Facility. This admirable goal was never achieved.

Jack and Barbara Linkletter (Linkletter Properties) became the last private owners of Bower Cave in 1981. The family shared the cave with friends and fellow divers, but kept it out of the public eye. In 1991, through the efforts of Trust for Public Land, Friends of Bower Cave and the desires of the Linkletter family, the USDA Forest Service acquired Bower Cave. It remains under USDA Forest Service administration today.