The caves may only be entered with a guided tour. Cave tours are offered daily throughout the summer season and are led by park rangers. Cave tours are 55 minutes long and are limited to 16 people per tour. We recommend that you purchase cave tour tickets before your visit online or by calling 1(877) 444-6777. Advance tickets may be purchased up to 30 days prior to your visit. Visitors arriving without advance tickets are often turned away because all tours for that day are sold. See Fees and Passes for more information. The only access to the cave system is by walking a strenuous 1 1/2-mile-paved trail, which rises 1,092 ft to an elevation of 6,730 feet above sea level. The round-trip hike and tour of the cave system takes about three hours. Mid-summer temperatures on the trail can reach over 100 degrees F. However, temperatures in the caves average 45 degrees, so a sweater or light jacket is recommended. Hiking shoes, water, flashlights and sunscreen will make your visit safe and enjoyable. To help prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome, a disease that is killing millions of bats in North America, the monument prohibits any boots, clothing or gear (including cameras) that have been in ANY other cave or mine at ANY time.
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Last updated: July 31, 2024