Lewis & Clark Caverns State 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.

• Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Trail Guide (pdf)

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. 

• Video: Montana's bats face a deadly wildlife disease video

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. - 6 p.m. (7 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.

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.

*In May and September, outside of the reservation system, tours are offered on a first come first serve basis. 

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. 

• Beginning December 2, you can purchase tickets online. Tickets will NOT be sold at the park visitor center.

Purchase Candlelight Tour Tickets

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. 

• Tours are offered May - September

• Tickets will be available for purchasing beginning in February

PARADISE TOUR (Easy)

• 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.

• Tours are offered May - September

• Tickets will be available for purchasing beginning in February

Visitor Center

• October through April

  • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily

  • Closed Mondays and Tuesdays starting in December

• May through September

  • 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily

• 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.

• 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

Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.

• ADA Accessible

• Camp Host*

• Electricity

• Established Fire Pits

• Firewood for Sale

• Gift Shop

• Holiday Event

• Interpretive Display

• Maps

• Parking

• Pets Allowed (outdoors on a leash, not allowed in the caverns)

• Picnic Shelter

• Playground

• Public Restroom

• RV Dump Station*

• RV Hookups

• Shower*

• Toilets (Flush)*

• Toilets (Vault)

• Tours*

• Trash Removal

• Water*

*Only available May-September

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. 

• Tours are offered May - September

• Tickets will be available for purchasing beginning in February

PARADISE TOUR (Easy)

• 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.

• Tours are offered May - September

• Tickets will be available for purchasing beginning in February

CANDLELIGHT CAVE TOUR (Moderately Difficult)

• 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. 

• Beginning December 2, you can purchase tickets online. Tickets will NOT be sold at the park visitor center.

Purchase Candlelight Tour Tickets

Visit the State Parks Fees & Regulations page for park rules.

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.

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

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

Nonresidents

• $42 Per night

• $36 between third Monday in September - third Thursday in May

Visit Reserve America to check fees and reserve campsites, cabins and tipis at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park.

* 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.

Mailing Address:
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
PO Box 489
Whitehall, MT 59759

Phone: 406-287-3541
Email: Lewis&ClarkCavernsStatePark@mt.gov

Reservation Phone Number:

1-855-922-6768  (For campsite and tour reservations during applicable seasons)