Cave Tour Safety

Example of the uneven and dimly lit stairs in the cave

NPS

Important Information for Your Cave Tour

Children

For their safety, children must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall to participate in a cave tour. The cave route is not safe for small children, and children cannot be carried through the cave. Visitors age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult age 16 or older. Specific age requirements apply for different tours: children must be at least 10 years old for the Candlelight Tour and at least 15 years old for the Off-Trail Tour.

What to Wear

Be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes—open-toed shoes, flip-flops, or sandals are not permitted. Since the cave is consistently 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius), warm clothing is recommended for your comfort.

Physical Considerations

The cave tour is physically demanding, requiring the ability to walk and stoop through narrow, twisting passages. You will navigate an 88-foot (27 m) passageway with ceilings as low as 45 inches (114 cm) and ascend and descend over 520 steps, many of which are steep, uneven, and without handrails.

To ensure the safety of the group, all visitors will be asked to demonstrate their ability to crouch down to approximately 45 inches (114 cm) and take a few steps. Visitors unable to do so may explore Watson’s Grotto, the first room of the cave, but may need to exit afterward. Watson’s Grotto is 75 feet (23 m) from the entrance and requires stooping as low as 51 inches (130 cm).

Physical Health

This tour is moderately strenuous and is not recommended for individuals with heart conditions, breathing issues, poor balance, difficulty walking, or those with back, knee, hip, ankle, or foot problems.

Cave Conservation

To help preserve the cave's delicate features, visitors are asked not to touch the walls or formations along the tour route. For those interested in a hands-on experience, an exhibit in the visitor center offers a tactile experience of the cave's geology.