Biology presentations and guided hikes coming up at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

WHITEHALL – More exciting events are happening in the coming weeks at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.

A full list of this summer’s events at the Caverns can be found online at fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lewis-and-clark-caverns.

July 29-31

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park speaker series will welcome Wendy Beye on Friday, July 29, at 8 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. Wendy will discuss avian monitoring.

Join park ranger Ramona Radonich on Saturday, July 30, at 8 p.m. at the campground amphitheater for a closer look at the skins and skulls of several animals that live in the park. You’ll discover what the different forms of skulls can teach us about how the animals function. You will have the opportunity to look straight up the nose of a bear or deep into the eye orbits of a mountain lion. Visitors will also have the opportunity to put their hands on the furs that protect these animals.

Park ranger Radonich will present “Treerific Trees!” on Sunday, July 31, 10 a.m. Trees grow everywhere in the world, but not all trees grow in every place. Meet the trees that call Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park home and learn why these particular trees and not others are growing here. The group will meet at the main visitor center then take a hike to collect data on the trees in the area and identify them. We’ll discover the special adaptations that make our park’s trees really “treerific!”

Aug. 5 and 6

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park’s speaker series will welcome Kali Armstrong on Friday, Aug. 5, at 8 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. The topic of her presentation will be announced that evening.

Park ranger Radonich will present “Goodness Snakes Alive!” on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 8 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. In this program, visitors will learn about the prairie rattlesnake that is native to the Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park ecosystem. Visitors will also discover what makes these reptiles rattle, how to avoid being bitten, and what to do if you are ever bitten by a rattlesnake. By understanding the nature of the rattlesnake, we can develop a healthy respect for these amazing reptiles that will help keep us safe in rattlesnake country.

Planning your visit

Ranger Ramona almost never cancels a program. If visitors come, she will do the program. If the weather is bad, the program will move to a sheltered area. For evening programs, notification of a change in location due to weather will be posted on the signboard at the amphitheater entrance 30 minutes before the program starts. 

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is about 15 miles southeast of Whitehall, along Montana Highway 2. For more information about the park, please visit stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns or call 406-287-3541.