Minnetonka Cave Tickets
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Minnetonka Cave is located on the Cache National Forest in Idaho. It is one of the premier show caves in the United States. Its limestone rock formations are truly remarkable; well worth traversing 888 stairs to see them. It is a karst limestone cave, formed from ground water flowing through limestone and carving sink-holes and underground waterways. It displays a wide variety of intriguing drip formations.
Each year, more than 40,000 visitors come to Minnetonka Cave and take the tours. Tours are conducted by guides who pause in five or six locations to explain the various cave formations, answer questions posed by guests, and give you a chance to catch your breath. There are up to five tours in the cave at a time, and passing is done with care. The cave stays a brisk 40 degrees year round so bring your jacket!
To prevent the westward spread of White Nose syndrome, (WNS), a disease common to bats, certain restrictions are in place at Minnetonka Cave. Humans can spread the disease between caves by wearing apparel or carrying items that have been exposed to the WNS fungus, so you cannot bring anything with you that has been in another cave or mine.
Minnetonka Cave is located on the Cache National Forest in Idaho. It is one of the premier show caves in the United States. Its limestone rock formations are truly remarkable; well worth traversing 888 stairs to see them. It is a karst limestone cave, formed from ground water flowing through limestone and carving sink-holes and underground waterways. It displays a wide variety of intriguing drip formations.
Each year, more than 40,000 visitors come to Minnetonka Cave and take the tours. Tours are conducted by guides who pause in five or six locations to explain the various cave formations, answer questions posed by guests, and give you a chance to catch your breath. There are up to five tours in the cave at a time, and passing is done with care. The cave stays a brisk 40 degrees year round so bring your jacket!
To prevent the westward spread of White Nose syndrome, (WNS), a disease common to bats, certain restrictions are in place at Minnetonka Cave. Humans can spread the disease between caves by wearing apparel or carrying items that have been exposed to the WNS fungus, so you cannot bring anything with you that has been in another cave or mine.
Notifications and Alerts
First-come, first-served tickets are available at the Cave Booth from 5-25-2024, weather permitting, through 8-19-2024.
CAVE CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION STARTING 8-20-24. REOPENS NEXT SEASON.
Need to Know
- White Nose Syndrome
To keep White Nose Syndrome (a bat illness) from spreading into Minnetonka Cave, please DO NOT wear clothing or hand carried items into Minnetonka Cave that you have worn or carried in any other cave or mine. These items include boots, hats, purses, cameras, backpacks, jewelry, and cellphones,
- Accessibility
The cave is not ADA compliant. You must negotiate 888 stairs which are often wet and slippery. Use the handrails.
- Fitness Level
The tour is ¾ miles long, includes 888 stairs, and takes about 80 minutes. It is strenuous, however your guide will stop at five or six locations and give you time to rest.
- No Pets
No pets are allowed in the cave.
- Foot Washing Station
To prevent WNS transmission, all cave visitors are required to walk through the foot wash. It contains a mild solution of Woolite and water.
- Tour Arrival
Important: ALL parties for the Cave Tour MUST check-in at the lower ticket booth before proceeding up to the Cave.
Please check in at the ticket booth one hour before your tour’s starting time, to allow time to drive to the upper parking lot and use the restrooms. Please be on time. Tours do not wait.
- Opening
Depending on snow, the cave opens on Memorial Day Weekend and closes on Labor Day. Tours run every half hour or more often, starting at 10:00. The last tour starts at 5:30 p.m.
- Cameras
Cameras are allowed, but not tripods.
- Lighting
The cave is well lit. No flashlights are needed.
- Cave is COLD
The cave is a chilly 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the tour lasts more than an hour. Please wear appropriate attire.
- Slippery Stairs
Stairs can be slippery, and sometimes wet. Please wear appropriate footwear, shoes with good traction and ankle support.
Booking Windows
Tickets are available January 1 of the year. The cutoff date for purchasing tickets is two days before the tour.
Changes and Cancellations
No refunds within 48 hours of the tour start time.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
HC 82 Box 1158 Duck Creek Village UT 84762
Phone Number
(208) 380-6279
