Lewis and Clark Caverns
Of all Montana’s wonderful state parks, Lewis and Clark Caverns is probably the most memorable. Situated in the winding and scenic Jefferson River Canyon between Whitehall and Three Forks, the park offers 3,015 acres of hiking, biking, wildlife and bird watching, camping, and fishing. But as you may have guessed from the name, it’s not the park’s commitment to outdoor recreation that sets it apart. It’s the park’s commitment to underground recreation that makes it the crowning gem of the Montana State Parks system. Funny enough, Lewis and Clark Caverns have next to nothing to do with Lewis and Clark. They paddled past on the Jefferson River, but knew nothing about the caverns that would eventually bear their names. But that is a story for another day.
The caverns were carved millions of years ago by water seeping through the porous Madison Limestone that makes up so many of Southwest Montana’s best features. It’s an underground wonderland of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and other features rearing from the floor and plummeting from the ceiling, one drop of water at a time. Trips to the caverns are a staple of a true Southwest Montana summer.
How to Explore at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
Of course, the true gem of this park is underground, but that’s not to say there’s not plenty to do in the sunlight. Above ground, Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park boasts over 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, ranging from the quarter-mile Nature Loop near the upper picnic area to the strenuous Cave Gulch Trail, which climbs nearly 1,000 feet on its way to the Cave Visitor Center. Wildlife and bird watchers will want to keep their eyes peeled here. Mule deer, golden eagles, snakes, and black bears call this place home.
If you’re wanting to stay the night, the park’s campground offers 41 campsites. Both electric and non-electric sites are available, along with a group campsite with a large pavilion, 3 cabins, and one canvas wall tent. Showers, potable water, and an RV dump station run from April 30 through October 1, so if you’re visiting outside the summer season, just keep that in mind.
Between the entrance and the caverns themselves, you’ll pass two visitor centers. The Main Visitor Center is located right at the entrance of the park, visible from the highway. The Cave Visitor Center is, well, you guessed it, at the top of the hill near the caverns, about three miles up the road from the entrance. Rangers at both locations are happy to answer questions and help you plan your visit. Check-in for cavern tours starts at the Cave Visitor Center, where you’ll also find a gift shop, cafe, restrooms, and a water fountain. It’s a great spot to grab a quick bite before descending into the caverns.
And speaking of underground, that’s where the real magic happens.
Guided Cavern Tours
Unlike some caves you can wander through on your own, Lewis and Clark Caverns are accessible by guided tour only. A ranger leads every group through the cave system, which protects the formations and keeps visitors safe. The park rangers are treasure troves of information about the science and history of the caves, and are consistently among the most engaging tour guides I’ve had. The two main tours, Classic and Paradise, run throughout the summer, but if these seem a bit too conventional, every December, you can take a candlelight tour to experience the caves similar to the way that 19th-century discoverers would have. Choosing the right tour comes down to how much time you have and how much of a challenge you’re looking for. Here’s how the three options compare:
1. Classic Tour
This two-hour excursion first takes visitors on a ¾-mile hike, gaining 300 feet in elevation to the cave entrance as the Jefferson Canyon opens up below you. From there, you descend into the belly of the mountain, walking through grand cathedral-esque chambers and narrow passages, passing shimmering pools (well, a shimmering pool) and dark chasms that hint at unknown reaches of the caves. A flat, ½ mile walk along a gravel path ends the tour near the visitor center parking lot. This tour is challenging. Expect over 600 stairs (which are fortunately mostly down), narrow passages that require some ducking and squeezing, one section of sliding/waddling, which is always great fun, and a few sections steep enough to make you appreciate the handrails. The path through the caverns can be wet and slippery in places, so sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must. I wore hiking boots and they served me well. Children under 5 are not permitted on the classic tour, so if you’re traveling with kiddos, have limited mobility, or might feel a little claustrophobic, the Paradise Tour is a better fit.
2. Paradise Tour
The Paradise Tour takes visitors to the bottom portion of the caverns, accessible from a ½-mile walk from the visitor center, on a mostly flat, gravel path. The tour is about 90-minutes long and explores the Paradise Room, the largest and most decorated chamber in the caverns. There are only 14 steps with a handrail compared to the 600 of the Classic Tour, and then a ½-mile walk back to the visitor center on the same flat, gravel path.
The Paradise Tour is an easier, family-friendly option that’s accessible to most visitors, including young kids who aren’t quite ready for the Classic Tour’s hike to the entrance and tight passages. You’ll still see plenty of impressive formations, just without the physical challenge of going deeper into the cave.
3. Candlelight Tour
Available select weekends in December, the Candlelight Tour takes visitors through the whimsical underworld, exploring the caverns by lantern light. The first half of the cave stays lit for safety, but once you step into the second half, the lights disappear and lanterns take over. Watch as their warm, flickering glow casts dancing shadows across stalactites and stalagmites, similar to the way visitors explored the caves generations ago.
This is a two-mile tour with a ¾-mile walk to reach the cave, and a ½-mile walk back to the visitor center, both on an unshoveled path. So dress for winter weather and expect the trail to be icy or snow-packed in places. The good news is you’ll have plenty of ways to warm up. Coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies are waiting at the visitor center, and the park provides all the candles and lanterns you’ll need. Reservations open online the Monday after Thanksgiving and tend to sell out fast, so it’s worth booking early if a winter visit is on your radar.
What to Expect at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
Since the caverns are only accessible by guided tour, most of your visit will follow the schedule of your tour time. Plan for at least half a day if you want to fit in a tour and some time on the trails, and a full day if you’re hoping to explore both visitor centers, grab a bite at the cafe, and hike a trail or two before or after your tour.
What to Bring and Wear on Your Cavern Tour
The caverns stay at a constant 48-50 degrees with 90% humidity year-round, so bring a light jacket even if it’s sweltering outside. You’ll definitely want to wear a pair of sturdy, closed-toed shoes since the path can be wet and slippery in places. Bags are not permitted on the tours (unless medically necessary), though you can bring a water bottle with plain, unflavored water. If you’ve been in another cave or mine within the past five years, don’t wear the same clothing or shoes on this tour. If it’s unavoidable, let one of the rangers know before your tour and they can help you decontaminate your gear. This precaution is so visitors don’t accidentally spread white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that’s harmless to humans, but deadly to bats.
The Caverns’ Bats
Speaking of bats, keep your eyes peeled for them. During the summer, the Caverns are home to about 100 mother bats with pups, and catching a glimpse of them is an exciting part of any trip. Despite their thoroughly undeserved creepy reputation, bats are essential elements of the ecosystem and (sorry to bust out the science jargon) super cool animals.
Tickets and Booking
Between the park entrance fee and cave tour tickets, Lewis and Clark Caverns has a few different rates depending on how you’re visiting. Here’s the full breakdown, as of July, 2026:
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park Entrance Fees
| Entrance Fees | Montana Resident | Non-Resident Vehicle | Non-Resident with State Park Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | $0.00 | $8.00 | $0.00 |
| Walk-in, Bike or Non-commercial Bus (per person) | $0.00 | $4.00 | $0.00 |
| Non-resident 7-day Pass | N/A | $35.00 | N/A |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass | N/A | $50.00 | N/A |
Cavern Tour Fees at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
| Tour Type | Youth, Ages 5 to 14 | Under 4 Years Old | Adult, Ages 15 to 61 | Senior, Ages 62+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | $10.00 | Children under 5 are not permitted | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Paradise | $10.00 | $0.00 | $15.00 | $10.00 |
| Candlelight | Priced separately | Priced separately | Priced separately | Priced separately |
Ready to Book Your Tour?
Grab Dinner at LaHood Park Steakhouse After
After a day underground, you’ve probably worked up an appetite, so the LaHood Park Steakhouse is the obvious next stop. It’s located about 5 miles down Montana Highway 2 from the caverns, right along the banks of the Jefferson River at the mouth of Jefferson Canyon. This Cardwell institution has been serving up local Montana beef since 1928, and both the dining room and bar offer excellent river views. Not to mention, the food is to die for. So it’s no surprise why this is a local favorite!
When we visited after the Classic Tour, we ordered enough to get a real feel for the menu. We started with the Chile Relleno Prime Rib Wontons, a flavorful, Latin-inspired twist on cream cheese wontons, with a filling that was tender and juicy inside a perfectly crispy wrapper. For the entrees, our friend (on an unofficial quest to find the best burger in all of Montana) ordered the Cowboy Burger. All burgers at LaHood come standard with a ⅓ pound patty, and the Cowboy was stacked with huckleberry BBQ sauce, bacon, crispy fried onions, and pepperjack cheese. My dad and I both ordered a steak. The steaks come with a starter (soup of the day or a salad), plus your choice of side. I opted to pair my New York Strip with the loaded baked potato. My dad, who ordered the Tenderloin, went for the twice-baked potato.
Our steaks were cooked perfectly and full of flavor, thanks to LaHood’s commitment to sourcing local beef. My strip steak seriously exceeded my expectations, and between the river views and attentive service, we left very happy. If you’re planning a cavern tour, we highly recommend making a dinner reservation at LaHood Steakhouse to refuel and regroup. Reservations are preferred and highly recommended, especially on weekends when tables fill up fast.
