Minnetonka Cave Tickets

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 near the town of St. Charles, Idaho. From Highway 89 at the north end of town, turn west onto Minnetonka Cave Road and follow it 8 miles to the lower cave parking lot. This left turn is just past the entrance to North Fork Campground. The turn is well-signed and there are cones in the road. You check in for your tour at the booth here. 60 minutes before your tour starts, the attendant will direct you to drive another two miles up the same road to the upper cave parking lot, where the road ends. Park here for the tour.