Lewis & Clark Caverns - Three Forks
A spectacular underground world of frozen waterfalls, columns and rock icicles.
Lewis and Clark Caverns is Montana's first and best known state park. Hidden in the white limestone cliffs above the Jefferson River, 15 miles southwest of Three Forks and 10 miles east of Whitehall, are two dark holes. These openings are gateways to an underground world of spectacular caves that are naturally air-conditioned and feature multi-tiered columns, frozen waterfalls and rock icicles.
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CAVERNS – A WORLD WITHOUT LIGHT
Gain knowledge of the delicate ecology of this world without light; see the geologic development; and, the history of early exploration.
Plan to spend a minimum of two hours to hike two miles on a guided tour through the caverns. The park also provides hiking trails, a visitor center, an amphitheater, several picnic areas, a large campground, showers, RV dump facilities, and rental cabins.
Enjoy a guided tour through the caverns.
LEWIS AND CLARK CAVERNS – A BRIEF HISTORY
Although the caverns are now named for Lewis and Clark, they actually never visited them, nor is it likely that they knew of them.
Lewis and Clark came into the area in 1805 during their famous mapping expedition. They passed below the caverns, along the river, but were unaware of the caverns' existence.
In 1892, two hunters discovered the cave. Though Indian arrow heads have reportedly been found in the cave, these were the first men of modern time to enter. Tom Williams, one of the hunters, returned to the cave six years later and began to wonder about the possibility of developing the caverns. A local miner and investor named Dan Morrison was approached.
Lewis and Clark never actually knew of the caverns' existence!
Morrison opened the caverns to the public. He named it 'Limespur Cave', began to build 2000 wooden stairs inside, which included the famous spiral staircase, and started an intensive publicity campaign in 1901.
But Northern Pacific Railroad officials believed the land Morrison claimed had been granted to them by the government. They took Morrison to court in 1908 and won. They then gave the land back to the U.S. government which made it into a national monument, renamed Lewis and Clark Caverns.
Conflict between Morrison and the federal government continued, however, until Morrison's death in 1932. By that time, the government had decided that the caverns were more trouble than they were worth. So, the land was officially transferred to the State Park System, and in 1937 Lewis and Clark Caverns became Montana's first state park.
In 1937 Lewis and Clark Caverns became Montana's first state park.
GUIDED TOURS, INTERPRETIVE DISPLAYS AND EVENING PROGRAMS
Although the park is open year around, guided tours are conducted daily only between 1 May and 30 September. From May 1 to June 14 and the day after Labor Day to September 30, tour hours are 9.00am – 4.30pm. From June 15 to Labor Day, the tour hours are 9:00am to 6:30pm.
Encompassing 3040 acres at an elevation of 4,200 feet, the park features a visitor center, interpretive displays, and evening programs presented during the summer months.
An average of 600 visitors a day from all around the world view the caverns, but 50% of the visitors still hail from Montana.
Visitors from all over the world come to view the caverns.
DIRECTIONS
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is located 19 miles west of Three Forks on Montana Highway 2, or 17 miles east of Whitehall on Montana Highway 2.
Tour fees:
Adults (age 12 & older): $10
Children (ages 6-11): $5
Younger children are free but need much assistance to complete the two-mile, 600+ steps for the tour.
Educational rates are often available if reservations are made at least two weeks in advance.
Park Dates
Park opens (day use): 1/1
Park closes (day use): 12/31
Campground opens: 1/1
Campground closes: 12/31
Information
Latitude: 45.52
Longitude: 111.85
Acres: 3034
Elevation: 4240
Nearest water body: Jefferson River
Nearest town: Whitehall
Nearest hospital: Butte
Day Use Fees
Out-of-State have to pay an entrance fee: $5/vehicle
(only charged to those not camping or going on a tour.
Cabin Rentals:
May-September: $39
Rest of the year: $25 (please call in advance to arrange to get key and water)
General
Group reservations required: Yes
For reservations contact: (406) 287-3541
Pets allowed: Yes
Seasonal manager: Yes
Camp host: Yes
Public telephone: Yes
Groceries and/or concession: Yes
Camping
Camping facilities: Yes
Tent sites: 20
Total campsites: 40
Dumpster: Yes
Grill / fire rings: Yes
Group campsite: Yes
Camping Fees:
May-September: $15
Rest of the year: $13 and no water available
Recreation
Picnic tables: Yes Trails: Yes
Hiking trails: 3.90 Interpretive trail: Yes
Interpretive center: Yes Amp h itheatre: Yes
Golf course nearby: Yes, (1) in Three Forks (9 holes) Bikes allowed: Yes
Museum nearby: Yes, (1) in Three Forks, (1) in Whitehall
Boating & Fishing
Boat restrictions: Hand Launch Only
River Fishing access: Yes
Sanitation
Vault toilets: Yes
Flush toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes
Pressurized water: Yes
Contact Info
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
P.O. Box 489
Whitehall, MT 59759
Phone: (406) 287-3541
33FOther pages you might find helpful:
Lewis and Clark Caverns
Cave adventures near Three Forks, Montana.
