Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
Whitehall, MT
Montana’s first state park, with limestone caverns full of stalactites and columns, and a summer nursery colony of bats. The guided tour takes about two hours with many steps; the park also has a campground and cabins.
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park lies about 12 miles (19 km) east of Whitehall, Montana, and roughly 45 miles (72 km) west of Bozeman. The cave is set in Madison limestone of the Mississippian period, formed some 325 to 365 million years ago from marine deposits. It was made Montana's first state park in 1938. Lewis and Clark camped within sight of it in 1805 but never saw the cave; hunters discovered it in 1892.
The cave can only be visited on a guided tour, from May to September. The Classic Tour is about 2 miles (3 km) long, takes around 2 hours and is considered strenuous. The shorter Paradise Tour leads to the largest and most richly decorated rooms. In summer, 50 to 150 female Townsend's big-eared bats raise their young here. Much of the development for visitors goes back to the Civilian Conservation Corps.
For your route planning: the park has a campground with 40 sites as well as cabins and hiking trails. Reserve tours in advance; they are limited. Outside the season the cave is not accessible (as of October 2026, check ahead).
- Nearest town
- Whitehall, MT
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 45.8249, -111.8508
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Lewis & Clark Caverns CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Lewis and Clark Caverns State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsFree
- Cardwell RV ParkMotorhome stopover6 mi from Lewis and Clark Caverns State ParkMotorhomes
- Camp Three ForksMotorhome stopover13 mi from Lewis and Clark Caverns State ParkMotorhomes
- Potosi CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
- Trapper Springs CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
- Manhattan RVMotorhome stopover25 mi from Lewis and Clark Caverns State ParkMotorhomes
All campsites in Montana · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park?
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is in Whitehall, MT, at GPS 45.8249, -111.8508. It is about 15 mi from Three Forks.
Can you camp near Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lewis & Clark Caverns Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park?
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Montana’s gold rush trail: Virginia City, Bannack and Big Hole.
What is there to see near Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Nevada City (36 mi), Montana State Capitol (53 mi), Bannack State Park (72 mi) and Roosevelt Arch (78 mi).
When is the best time to visit Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)