Cave of the Mounds
Blue Mounds, WI, 50°F inside, from $26.99
A seasonal cave in Spring Valley, Wisconsin with a one-hour guided tour through passages more than seven stories below ground.
The story
Farm boys William and George Vanasse found the cave in 1881 while chasing a woodchuck; it was then called Sander's Corner Cave. Henry A. Friede bought the land in 1941 and prepared it for tours, and after a flood delayed the planned Memorial Day opening it opened on June 7, 1942. A 1992 exploration connected it to nearby Bat Cave and almost tripled its known length.
- Found
- 1881
- Open to visitors since
- 1942
History source: acoolcave.org.
Tickets and timing
- How long it takes
- About 1 hour
- Hours
- April 1–October 31. Summer (late May–Labor Day) daily from 9:30am, last tour 4pm weekdays and 5pm weekends. Spring and fall: closed Mon–Tue, last tour 3pm Wed–Fri and 4pm weekends. Closed November–March.
- Booking
- Buy cave tickets in advance online; reservations strongly recommended in spring and fall.
Getting around underground
- The walk
- One-hour standing/walking tour with 7 flights of stairs and ramps; moderately strenuous.
Dogs, weather and what to wear
- Dogs
- Friendly pets on leash and under control are welcome outside but not in buildings (except service animals); owners must pick up after pets. No kennel services are provided.
Good to know
- Minimum age
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on the cave tour.
- Elevator
- No elevator; the tour uses 7 flights of stairs and ramps.
- Photos
- Disruptive audio or video recording is not allowed. On the cave tour, GoPro/action cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, 360 cameras, and disruptive photography are not allowed. No commercial photography without prior written permission.
- Food and drink
- Food, gum, tobacco products, and drinks of any kind including water are not allowed underground.
- On site
- Gift shop, Gem panning, Tee-Rex Mini Golf, Gold Miner's Saloon, Nature trails, Picnic grounds
Getting there
W965 State Road 29, Spring Valley, WI 54767
- Minneapolisabout 51 miles
- Des Moinesabout 235 miles
Distances are straight-line from each city center.
Questions people ask
How long does a visit to Crystal Cave take?
About 1 hour
Are dogs allowed at Crystal Cave?
Friendly pets on leash and under control are welcome outside but not in buildings (except service animals); owners must pick up after pets. No kennel services are provided.
Do you need to book Crystal Cave in advance?
Buy cave tickets in advance online; reservations strongly recommended in spring and fall.
When was Crystal Cave discovered?
1881, according to the cave's own history.
Is there a minimum age for Crystal Cave?
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on the cave tour.
Where is Crystal Cave?
W965 State Road 29, Spring Valley, WI 54767
Checked on 2026-10-22 against acoolcave.org (home and hours pages). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.