Shoshone Ice Caves
Shoshone, ID, temporarily closed
30 min
on the main tour
Idaho's Mammoth Cave
Shoshone, ID
$15.00
adult ticket
A cave about eight miles north of Shoshone that you explore yourself by lantern, about a quarter mile in and out, with two natural history museums on the same ticket.
The story
Richard Arthur Olsen rediscovered the cave in 1954 while hunting bobcats. He first tried to homestead it under the Small Tracts Act by raising mushrooms. Later he opened it to visitors, initially using a diesel-powered generator for lights, then propane lanterns, and today battery-powered lanterns. In the 1960s the U.S. Government used the cave as a civil defense shelter, storing food and supplies for 8,000 people for 20 years.
- Found
- 1954
History source: idahosmammothcave.com.
Tickets and timing
- Adults
- $15.00
- Kids
- 12 years and under – $9.00; 5 years and under – Free
- How long it takes
- About 30 minutes
- Hours
- From May 1: daily 10am–6pm; after Labor Day Fri–Sun only; closes for winter in late September. Arrive by 5pm.
- Booking
- No reservations needed.
Getting around underground
- The walk
- About 1/4 mile in and 1/4 mile out on uneven ground.
- Wheelchairs
- Not accessible.
Dogs, weather and what to wear
- Dogs
- No dogs except service animals.
- Temperature
- 41 degrees
Good to know
- Best time to go
- During peak times there may be a short wait of 10–15 minutes for lanterns.
- Wildlife
- Peacocks are on the property; dogs must remain leashed at all times.
- On site
- Shoshone Bird Museum of Natural History, Richard Arthur Olsen Museum of Natural History
Getting there
251 W Thorn Creek Rd, Shoshone, Idaho
Parking: Spacious parking lot that can accommodate RVs, with plenty of room for turning and parking.
- Salt Lake Cityabout 198 miles
Distances are straight-line from each city center.
Before you go
- Lanterns are provided; bring a flashlight too if you have one.
- Wear a light jacket.
Questions people ask
How long does a visit to Idaho's Mammoth Cave take?
About 30 minutes
How cold is it inside Idaho's Mammoth Cave?
41 degrees.
Can you visit Idaho's Mammoth Cave in a wheelchair?
Not accessible.
Are dogs allowed at Idaho's Mammoth Cave?
No dogs except service animals.
Do you need to book Idaho's Mammoth Cave in advance?
No reservations needed.
When was Idaho's Mammoth Cave discovered?
1954, according to the cave's own history.
Where is Idaho's Mammoth Cave?
251 W Thorn Creek Rd, Shoshone, Idaho
Listed in: lantern and flashlight tours, self-guided caves
Checked on 2026-10-22 against idahosmammothcave.com (official site). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.
Other caves in Idaho
Minnetonka Cave
St. Charles Canyon, ID, 40°F inside, from $8