Crystal Lake Cave
A cave near Dubuque with 45-minute walking tours through nearly three-quarters of a mile of limestone passages, plus black-light and wild cave tours.
Dubuque, IA, 50°F inside, from $22
Caves in Iowa
2 caves in Iowa run public tours. Here is what each one is like and how to visit.
Updated 2026-10-22. 2 of 2 checked in full against official sources.
Spook Cave
A boat tour through a cave near McGregor, Iowa, 35–40 minutes long at 47°F, open May to October.
McGregor, IA, 47°F inside
Iowa caves side by side
| Cave | Inside | Adult ticket | Run by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake Cave | 50°F | $22 | Privately operated |
| Spook Cave | 47°F | not yet checked | Privately operated |
Questions people ask
How many caves can you tour in Iowa?
2 show caves run public tours. We leave out wild caves that are closed, gated or need a permit.
What should you wear in a cave?
Closed shoes with grip, because paths are often wet. Most caves stay between the high 40s and low 70s °F all year, so a light layer is enough.
Caves in other states
Missouri20Kentucky15Tennessee12Pennsylvania10California9Arkansas8Texas8Virginia8Ohio7Wisconsin7Indiana6South Dakota6Alabama5Hawaii4New York4West Virginia4Arizona3Colorado3Idaho3Oregon3Minnesota2Nevada2New Mexico2Florida1Illinois1Maryland1Michigan1Montana1New Hampshire1North Carolina1Oklahoma1Utah1Washington1