Spelunking. Seriously, is there a more fun word in the English language?
Southeast Minnesota sits on top of a hidden world, and it is one of the most underrated adventures in the region. Explore caverns, stalactites and stalagmites, underground water formations, and fossils. Uncover local stories and history carved into the earth over millions of years.
Cave exploration is the rare outdoor adventure that works rain or shine, comes with natural air conditioning, and is completely mosquito-free. It entertains a wide range of ages and interests, and somehow you end up with a great step count without even trying.
National Cave and Karst Day and National Cave Week put a spotlight on something Southeast Minnesota has quietly had all along. Below is a guide to five caves ranging from Rochester to as far as McGregor, Iowa, none more than two hours away. Each one has its own landscape, its own stories, and its own sense of wonder. Pack a lunch, fill your water bottles, grab a sweatshirt and sturdy shoes, and pick one.
For an extra dose of cave knowledge, attend Nature Underground on June 6th (National Cave & Karst Day!) at the Historic Chateau Theatre!
Quarry Hill Cave Tour and Historic Hike (Rochester, MN):
Local history fascinates me. Especially when it is about a State Hospital and a Sandstone Cave dating back to 1882. Right in your own backyard, take advantage of the family program, twice a month at Quarry Hill. This does take some advanced planning since spots are limited. This 1-hour adventure is free, however reservations are recommended to secure a spot. Pack a lunch to eat at the park, and add on a visit to the newly remodeled Quarry Hill Center for a full afternoon of family fun.
This cave used to be open to the public. Now it can only be explored with a nature guide. Flashlights, cool chambers, cave crickets, and local lore add to the mystery of this man-made cave. As a family, we highly recommend this adventure.
Niagara Cave (Harmony, MN):
Approximately a 1-hour drive south from Rochester, Niagara Cave makes a perfect first caving experience. If you are looking for a local attraction to take guests or want a quaint drive through country roads and Amish country this fits the bill. Being native to southeast Minnesota, I have toured this cave as a teenager, several years later taken my three-year-old nephew on a caving adventure, and brought my own children to it. Each time the descent down the stairs into the cool glistening underground through narrow tunnels opening into large caverns has been equally fascinating. Better yet, Niagara Cave is a family-run, solar-powered establishment.
Open 7 days a week from May until November 2nd. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. General Admission is $24.39 for ages 13+, children ages 3-12 $15.07 and infants 2 and under are free with adult ticket. The one-hour guided tour departs every 15-20 mins. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds, play 18 holes of mini-golf open on weekends, shop in the gift store, or mine for gemstones.
Forestville Mystery Cave (Preston, MN)
This cave is about a 50-minute drive from Rochester, located in Forestville State Park near Preston, Minnesota. You will need to have a State Park pass to visit. This cave is known as being the longest cave in Minnesota, with approximately 13 miles of known cave. Since it is located in a State Park, your guides will be Park Naturalists who are very knowledgeable about the environment, cave formations, and geology. Feel free to quiz them. Options abound for finding the perfect caving outing for your family.
- Scenic Tour: May 9, 2026, through October 18, 2026, with times varying. Be sure to check their website before booking a tour. This is the most popular tour that almost anyone can do. Approximately 1 hour long, this tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible. It consists of about 3/4 of a mile of walking through long corridors past underground caverns filled with water. $15.00 ages 13 and above, $10.00 Children 6-12, 5 and under are Free, but they still need a ticket.
- Advanced Eduation Tour: May 23, 2026, through September 7, 2026, only offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 9:45am. Recommended for those 8 and older. $25.00 per person. 2.5-hour tour focuses on the formation of Mystery Cave. Attention Families with a particular love of earth science. This is the educational experience that will answer a lot of your questions and cause you to dig deeper (pun intended). This tour will be conducted on rugged terrain.
- Wild Caving Tour: May 23, 2026, through September 6, 2026, Saturdays and Sundays only at 10:00am. This extensive experience costs $80.00 per person, you must be 13 and older, with a maximum number of participants being 5. Go to the website to register in advance. If you are a particularly thrill-seeking active family with children greater than 13. This is not just a tour, this is the real deal. Plan for a four-hour adventure. Protective gear will be issued. You’ll be taught how to use it in an hour session. Then follow your guide into the earth where you will get muddy, most likely crawl on your stomach, and experience cave life well upfront and personal.
Crystal Cave (Spring Valley, WI):
Crystal Cave is located about an hour and a half from Rochester, Minnesota. Advertised as Wisconsin’s longest cave, there are several options for tours. Open May 21 through September 1st. Daily hour-long tours are available throughout the summer months, starting at 9:30 am through 4:00 pm Monday – Friday; 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Certified Cave Guides will take you deep underground and you will learn about bats, cave geology, and the discovery of Crystal Cave on this one hour tour. The Admission price is $24-26 based on off peak/peak days for ages 13 and up; Children 3-12 are $15.98. (under 2 are free)
My daughter toured this cave with her school. One of the highlights from her trip was seeing the coin walls. You’ll have to go discover those for yourself. Gem panning, a hiking trail, a gift shop, and a picnic area are other options of things to do on your trip.
Spook Cave (McGregor, IA):
Take a relaxing drive about two hours south to see this unique limestone cave created over an eon. An underground river runs through this cave, which you leisurely get to explore by boat. No walking involved. Trained guides will lead you through this fascinating structure and point out different cave formations as well as tell you the history of the cave. As a teenager, we toured this cave and I remember loving this one-of-a-kind adventure.
Open 9 AM to 5 PM, daily. Tickets are $16 for ages 13 and up; Children 4-12 are $11, and Infants 3 and under are Free, and can be purchased on-site. A picnic area is available for cavegoers. If you would like to make it a weekend, Spook Cave is also a campground for tents or campers. In addition to this, McGregor, IA is an old river town with lots of historical sites to see, and makes a great day trip.
