Discover one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in North America. Camp, hike and experience amazing geologic wonders at Montana's first and best-known state park.
Friday night programs start at 8 p.m. at the campground amphitheater:
August 1: Wildlife Skins & Skulls-- look down the snout of a bear and into the jaws of a mountain lion
August 8: Night Skies at Lewis & Clark Caverns-- stories behind the stars
August 15: Three Dog Night-- a howling good time with three cool canines—wolves, coyotes, and foxes
August 22: Exoplanet Extravaganza-- a thrilling trek through some of the planets being discovered outside our solar system
August 29: This is Montana!-- a romp through Montana’s state symbols highlighting several treasures that Montanans hold dear
Saturday morning programs start at 9 a.m. and last approximately 90 minutes:
August 2: Orienteering-- map reading and compass skills program
August 16: Keep on Trackin’-- learn how to identify different animal tracks before heading out into the wild to test your new knowledge
Saturday evening speaker series at the campground amphitheater:
August 2, (8:30 p.m.): Matt Bell and Montana’s Mysterious Bats followed by a bat walk
August 9, (8:00 p.m.): An Eye on Wildlife-- Wendy Beye will speak about monitoring wildlife from the air
August 16 (8:00 p.m.): Songs of the Caverns-- Kali Armstrong
August 23 (7:00 p.m.): Wildlife Connections-- Pat Todd will speak about restoring wildlife migration corridors
August 30 (7:00 p.m.): Geology of the Caverns-- Zach Burton explores the fascinating and complex geology of the Rocky Mountains
Mindfulness Walk Upper Picnic area, approximately 45 minutes
August 3, 9:00 a.m.
August 31, 9:00 a.m.
About the Park
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park features one of the largest known limestone caverns in the Northwest. Cave access by guided tour only.
Camping, hiking, and more
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park also features camping and trails to hike or bike, a state-of-the-art visitor center, interpretive displays, a gift shop, food and beverage concessions, amphitheater, and interpretive events presented during the summer months.
The park has a large campground with 40 campsites, a wall tent, and three cabins, which you can reserve online. The park also has hiker/biker sites available on a first come/first served basis. There is a $5 charge to use the dump station.
The site encompasses 3,015 acres. The entry area is at an elevation of 4,300 feet and the caverns area is at an elevation of 5,300 feet.
Bats and white nose syndrome
White nose syndrome is a fungal disease, well established in the eastern portion of North America and recently found in the west. It does not affect humans, but has proven lethal to bats. If you have been to a cave or mine in the past five years, do not wear the same clothing, shoes or accessories as you wore there on our caverns tour. If it cannot be avoided (for example, eye glasses or shoes) please contact park staff the day of your visit in order to obtain a disinfecting wipe.
From May 1 through September 30, the visitor center will be open from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The park gate will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. during our reservation season).
Help us conserve the bat population at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park. White nose syndrome is a fungal disease, well established in the eastern portion of North America and recently found in the west. It does not affect humans, but has proven lethal to bats. If you have been to a cave or mine in the past five years, do not wear the same clothing, shoes or accessories as you wore there on our caverns tour. If it cannot be avoided (for example, eye glasses or shoes) please contact park staff the day of your visit in order to obtain a disinfecting wipe.
Restrictions and Closures
See a current list of Restrictions and Closures on State Parks and other FWP lands that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.
Seasons & Hours
Hours listed below are normal operating hours and may not apply when there is a special restriction or closure. Check Alerts and Closures in the tab above.
CANDLELIGHT CAVE TOUR (Moderately Difficult)
Dates: December 20-22 and December 27-29, 2024
This is a two hour, two mile guided walking tour. This tour is challenging. The tour will gain an elevation of 300ft, ascend over 100 stairs, and descend over 500 stairs. The caverns will be wet and slippery.
A limited number of tours will be available.
You can purchase Candlelight tour tickets online the Monday after Thanksgiving. Tickets will not be sold at the park visitor center.
CLASSIC CAVE TOUR (Moderately Difficult)
This is a two hour, two mile guided walking tour. This tour is challenging. The tour will gain an elevation of 300ft, ascend over 100 stairs, and descend over 500 stairs. The caverns will be wet and slippery. Please note that children under 5 are no longer permitted on this tour but are welcome on the Paradise tour.
It is highly recommended that you reserve tour ticket ahead of time and arrive 30 minutes before your tour. Access to the caverns is by guided tour only.
Tours are offered May - September
Tickets will be available for purchasing beginning in February
This is a 1 1/2 hour, 1 mile guided walking tour. This tour is great for young children and is accessible to most people. The tour will view 2 cave rooms.
It is highly recommended that you reserve tour ticket ahead of time and arrive 30 minutes before your tour. Access to the caverns is by guided tour only.
Tours are offered May - September
Tickets will be available for purchasing beginning in February
Closed all federal and state holidays except Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Park is also closed December 24th and 31st.
Water
Available May through September as weather allows
Showers & Comfort Station
Open through September as weather allows
Montana Gift Corral
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, May through September.
Activities
Bicycling
Bird Watching
Camping
Canoeing
Deer Hunting
Fishing
Group Camping
Guided Cave Tours
Hiking
History
Hunting
Lewis And Clark
Nature
Photography
Picnicking
River Fishing
RV Camping
Tent Camping
Visitor Center
Wildlife Viewing
Amenities
Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.
Visitor Center
Cave Tours*
Kennels*
Gift shop
Café*
Hiking and Biking Trails
Campground
RV hookups
Cabins
Wall tent*
Camp Host*
Established Fire Pits
Picnic Shelter
Playground
RV Dump Station*
Showers*
Toilets (Flush)*
Toilets (Vault)
Potable Water*
Firewood for Sale
ADA Accessible
Interpretive Displays
Maps
Pets Allowed (outdoors on a leash, not allowed in the caverns)
*Only available May-September
Tours and Programs
CLASSIC CAVE TOUR (Moderately Difficult)
This is a two hour, two mile guided walking tour. This tour is challenging. The tour will gain an elevation of 300ft, ascend over 100 stairs, and descend over 500 stairs. The caverns will be wet and slippery.
It is highly recommended that you reserve tour ticket ahead of time and arrive 30 minutes before your tour. Access to the caverns is by guided tour only.
Tours are offered May - September
Tickets will be available for purchasing beginning in February
This is a 1 1/2 hour, 1 mile guided walking tour. This tour is great for young children and is accessible to most people. The tour will view 2 cave rooms.
It is highly recommended that you reserve tour ticket ahead of time and arrive 30 minutes before your tour. Access to the caverns is by guided tour only.
Tours are offered May - September
Tickets will be available for purchasing beginning in February
This is a two-hour, two-mile guided walking tour. This tour is challenging. The tour will gain an elevation of 300ft, ascend over 100 stairs, and descend over 500 stairs. The caverns will be wet and slippery.
A limited number of tours will be available.
You can purchase Candlelight tour tickets online the Monday after Thanksgiving. Tickets will not be sold at the park visitor center.
Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park.
For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Fees
MONTANA RESIDENTS
Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.
NONRESIDENTS
Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8
Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4
With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free
Guided Cave Tours
Tour Name
Adult 15+
Youth 5-14 yrs
Child 4 & Under
Seniors 62+ yrs
Classic Cave
$15
$10
$5
$15
Paradise
$15
$10
Free
$10
Candlelight
$25
$15
Must be 5+
$25
*Educational Group
$12
$8
$4
$12
Guided Hikes & Tours: $4 per person or as posted
Campsites
Campsite fees range from $4 - $34 per night, depending on season and available amenities
Montana State Parks offers hike/bike, rustic, tent, rv, and boatslip campsites.
Cabins and Wall Tent
Residents and Nonresidents with a Park Pass
$54 per night
$50 between third Monday in September - third Thursday in May
Nonresidents
$66 per night
$60 between third Monday in September - third Thursday in May
* Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
PO Box 489
Whitehall, MT 59759
1-855-922-6768 (For campsite and tour reservations during applicable seasons)
Recreate Responsibly
Tips to stay safe while getting outdoors
To keep our state parks safe and accessible to all, make sure you know before you go, practice physical distancing, plan ahead, play it safe, explore locally, leave no trace, respect wildlife, and do your part to build an inclusive outdoors.