Lewis and Clark Cavern National Monument, Whitehall, MTBy Abby McAllister
As we drove down the deserted back road in Montana, I began to wonder if this time I had made a mistake. I try really hard not to “cave” in to my kid’s constant requests to go caving, as any time they see a sign indicating a cave to explore the pleading begins. However, when we saw the signs for Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park I totally did. So we turned off the Interstate near Whitehall, MT and were now making our way through some pretty desolate looking scenery that gave no indication that there might actually be anything worth seeing out here. Then, all of the sudden, we were at the gates. “Well, here we go kids” Harley and I said as we turned in. We checked in at the visitor center, paid the very reasonable tour fee and headed out to meet our guide and group. The first thing our little group had to do was climb to the top of the mountain. Although the hike was pretty long for our kids, the path was paved, had good switchbacks and many benches to stop along the way. Actually, our kids made it up ahead of some of the older people in our group. Our guide was gracious and gave us all the time we needed to ascend. She shared the history and geology of the Caverns along the way.
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Surreal spires, towers and pillars are scattered throughout the caverns.
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Finally we reached the top and came face to face with the foreboding entrance. My kids were really excited and could hardly wait for the whole group to reassemble. As soon as we were all there we headed in, and immediately I knew we had not made a mistake. The caverns are incredible. I have never seen anything like that before or since. The floors and ceilings are, of course, cavernous and littered with stalactites and stalagmites. There are incredible columns rising the span of the caverns. You wander with your guide through room after room, the next always being better than the previous. At times the passageways would become narrow and steep and we would have to duck our heads or even squeeze through on our stomachs. Of course my kids loved all this. There is even a limestone natural slide that you have to take at one point. I loved the balance between protecting the natural state of the caverns and allowing people to interact with them too.
The whole time our ranger was narrating more of the history and geology. One story she shared was particularly memorable. She told us of a group of three early explorers who became disoriented and eventually their lights ran out. When help finally came they had lost track of which way was up and what they were doing since they had been in the dark for so long. At that point she gave us fair warning and then had the lights shut off. It was really creepy! It made me pray the electricity would continue to be reliable in this modern day.
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At one point you descend a staircase with “1 mile high” carved out of one of the steps and you have the queerest sensation of being so high and yet inside a mountain, under the ground. You also realize that you are descending through the heart of the very mountain you just hiked up. And sure enough, after about 2 hours the gradient begins to decrease and you realize you are not going down much more. You come to a long straight passage with a door at the end and you’re out. Wow! We all immediately wished we could do it again but sadly had to be on our way. This really is a “side trip” that is more like a destination adventure.
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When you go:
Named after explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the caverns overlook a section of the trail along the Jefferson River that the Corps of Discovery traveled. They are about 45 minutes West of Bozeman, MT. Follow I-90 West to the exit for 287-S. Follow this to MT-2-W and turn right. Then turn right into the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center.
The 2 hour tour costs $10/adult and $5/child. Most tours are during the summer months (it is chilly inside the Caverns! In fact, this is a great trip to take when the whole family really needs a break from the summer heat!) but there are special candle-light tours in December. Hours vary so be sure to check their website before going.
Keep in mind that it is cool inside the caverns and bring a light jacket or sweater. I wore hiking boots but sturdy tennis shoes with laces would be fine. Although not strenuous, it does require ascending and then descending trails and staircases, sometimes with uneven footing. The caverns are well lit though so you should have no trouble seeing the way.
Named after explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the caverns overlook a section of the trail along the Jefferson River that the Corps of Discovery traveled. They are about 45 minutes West of Bozeman, MT. Follow I-90 West to the exit for 287-S. Follow this to MT-2-W and turn right. Then turn right into the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center.
The 2 hour tour costs $10/adult and $5/child. Most tours are during the summer months (it is chilly inside the Caverns! In fact, this is a great trip to take when the whole family really needs a break from the summer heat!) but there are special candle-light tours in December. Hours vary so be sure to check their website before going.
Keep in mind that it is cool inside the caverns and bring a light jacket or sweater. I wore hiking boots but sturdy tennis shoes with laces would be fine. Although not strenuous, it does require ascending and then descending trails and staircases, sometimes with uneven footing. The caverns are well lit though so you should have no trouble seeing the way.
