Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Candlelight Tours Available

Montana State Parks announced last week Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park will once again offer the popular Holiday Candlelight Tours. These special candlelight tours of the Caverns will be offered this year Dec. 19-21 and Dec. 26-28. Seven tours will be offered daily between 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Come see the Caverns by the warm festive glow of candle lanterns as we celebrate with this holiday favorite. Tickets will be available Monday, Nov. 30, by calling the Caverns office at 406-287-3541 during reservation hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Group size is limited to 10 people per tour to comply with coronavirus safety restrictions. Tickets are non-refundable, except for cases of possible COVID-19 exposure. Refund protocols will be explained upon booking.

This year, visitors will only see the Paradise and Grand Finale rooms of the cave - the largest and most decorated portion, which allows ample social distancing. Tour tickets will reflect this abbreviated offering and will run summer Paradise Tour rates: $15 for adults (15 years and older), and $10 for children (ages 5 to 14). Children ages 4 and under are not allowed on the tour. All guests must bring and wear face masks.

Important information to consider before signing up for the tour:

• Candle lanterns will be provided by the park.

• The tour is just over 1 mile and 1½ hours long. Visitors must walk outside and may be exposed to snow, wind and cold temperatures.

• Parents need to consider if children will be comfortable in the darkness of the cave and in the outside cold temperatures. Those between the ages 5 to 8 years will not be given a lantern.

• The park road to the cave visitor center is plowed and sanded. Vehicles with four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. The trail to and from the cave is not cleared of snow. Cave temperature is 48 degrees; outside temperature and wind can be highly variable.

• Since these tour tickets are non-refundable and date/time changes are not allowed, please do not commit to a date unless you are certain you can make that tour. Those arriving late for their tours will forfeit their spots without refunds.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park features one of the most decorative limestone caverns in the Northwest filled with spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, columns and helictites. The park also features camping, trails to hike or bike, a state-of-the-art visitor center, interpretive displays, a gift shop, food and beverage concessions, amphitheater, and interpretive events presented during the summer months.

From the exit 274 on I-90, the state park is 13 miles south on Highway 287 and 5 miles west on MT 2.

From the Cardwell exit 256 on I-90, the park is 7 miles east along MT 2.

For more information please call Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park at (406) 287-3541 or visit:

http://stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns/

 

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