Rediscovered Daily

With rooms up to two stories tall and some of the oldest cave formations in the Midwest, Cave of the Mounds has a little something for everyone. Come experience the vibrant colors and alien shapes of the underground.

Plan Your Visit

Cave of Lights 2025

See shimmering decor fit for the holiday season, above and below ground!

From now until the end of January, visit us to see the cave’s halls decked to the brim with festive lights and colorful effects. From trees lit up with vibrant colors, to stalactites bathed in dancing lasers, an abundance of holiday cheer waits for you at Cave of the Mounds.

Starting in December on specific days, you can enjoy special extended hours that go well past sundown and show off the best of the above ground effects.

Cave of Lights does NOT require special tickets. ALL guests who visit between now and January 31st will get to experience the lights.

Learn more about Cave of Lights here

Cost of Admission

Regular Tickets (13+) – $24.99

Children (4yrs – 12yrs) – $15.99 / Tots (3 and under) – FREE

TICKETS

Tickets include entry to cave and interpretation. Free access to hiking trails and prairie, rock, and butterfly gardens.

Choose Your Adventure

special

tours

Ever helped scientists hunt for fossils or journeyed into a cave with lanterns like the very first explorers? Want to see a cave glow in the dark as you shine a black light? Explore the cave in a different way each visit with our specialty cave tours.

Daily Tours

A fully lit cave awaits with a guide or guides interpreting all the interesting parts in each room. See the true color of the cave in this experience.

Duration: 45min – 1hr

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Blacklight Tours

All lights are off in this underground experience. Make the cave glow in the dark as you’re guided through with nothing but blacklights lighting your way.

Duration: 1hr

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Lantern Tours

Experience the cave as the first explorers did: in the dark, with lantern in hand. Gain a new perspective on the formations and history of the cave as you find your way as they did in 1939.

Duration: 1hr

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…and More!

Looking for even more fun? Check out everything we have to offer, above and below ground!

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Upgrade to a Membership!

Keys to the Cave members enjoy free, unlimited cave tours for a full calendar year. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Available with the purchase of full priced admission.
Upgrade your tickets today!

JOIN MEMBERSHIP