Lewis & Clark Caverns
Posted by: 
swei0009
N 45° 50.159 W 111° 52.736
12T E 431741 N 5076199
Lewis and Clark Caverns, a Montana state park.
Waymark Code: WMJRV
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 07/30/2006
Published By:
TVN
Views: 46
Lewis and Clark Caverns, a Montana state park (http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_281895.aspx), and one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest. The park is 18 miles from the mining town of Whitehall, near the Jefferson River, which Meriwether Lewis and William Clark traveled with their Corps of Discovery in 1805.
The cave was made tourist-friendly by the CCC. Electric lighs enable visitors to view limestone columns, cathedral-like spires and formations named for the things they resemble: popcorn, bacon and soda straws. Cost for an adult is $10US, tour takes 2 hours. Inside the cave isn't too bad, though there is a LOT of bending and stooping, and one "butt slide." The hike up to the entrance, however, is VERY strenuous -- about a mile, 500 foot elevation gain, NO SHADE.
There is a marker inside to show 5,280 feet of elevation... 300 feet below ground.
Although there is no evidence the explorers ever actually saw the caves 1,400 feet above the river, they were named Lewis and Clark Caverns by President Theodore Roosevelt, who designated the place a national monument in 1908.
Type of Land: State Park
Managed By: Montana FWP
Contact Info: (406) 287-3541
Website: [Web Link]
Type of Cave: Other
Contains Stalactites: yes
Contains Stalagmites: yes
Contains Bats: yes
Price of Admission: 10.00 (listed in local currency)
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a digital photograph of the cave which documents your visit and any information that may be helpful for future visitors.