Into the Depths: Exploring the Caves of the American West
- Barry Branaugh
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
This summer, my wife Julie and I set out on a road trip from Oregon to South Dakota and back. Julie especially loves caves, and while I enjoy them too, I tend to prefer the ones with plenty of room to breathe. Luckily, every stop along our journey offered just that—and more.
Lewis and Clark Caverns, Montana
Our first cave stop was Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, tucked between Butte and Bozeman. The park offers two tours: a short 30-minute option with an additional half-hour walk, or a longer 2.5-hour adventure that requires some crawling through tighter spaces. We chose the easier route, which still showcased stunning formations and vibrant colors.
Despite the name, Lewis and Clark never actually discovered these caverns. Local Native people knew of them long before, and ranchers stumbled upon them again in the late 1800s.
Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
From Montana, we headed east to Jewel Cave National Monument, located about an hour southwest of Rapid City. These caverns aren’t as colorful as Lewis and Clark, but the calcite crystal formations sparkle in their own unique way.
Visitors descend by elevator before beginning a tour that includes over 700 steps in just 80 minutes. It’s a workout, but worth it! Jewel Cave is the second-longest cave system in the U.S. and the fifth-longest in the world, with more than 230 miles mapped—and experts believe that’s only about five percent of the system.
Craters of the Moon, Idaho
On our way back west, we stopped at Craters of the Moon National Monument near Carey, Idaho. Unlike the limestone caverns of Montana and South Dakota, this was a completely different experience. Here, caves are actually lava tubes—tunnels formed when molten rock cooled thousands of years ago.
Walking through these tubes felt like stepping into another world, a reminder of how volcanic activity shaped so much of the Western landscape.
A Note on Cave Conservation
One important reminder for anyone visiting caves in the West: be mindful of white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that devastates bat populations but poses no risk to humans. Because the spores can cling to clothing—even after washing—parks are strict about what visitors wear inside. To protect the bats, bring a separate set of clothing and shoes for each cave you visit.
Final Thoughts
Every cave we explored was different—some dazzling with color, others glittering with crystals, and still others forged by fire and lava. Together, they revealed a hidden side of the American West, one that exists just beneath our feet.
My name is Barry Branaugh and I am a retired high school history teacher from Redmond, Oregon. I became a travel advisor in 2023.
I have a passion for travel, but also get great fulfillment out of helping others achieve their travel dreams!
In North America I have traveled to 45 of the 50 US states, Canada, Mexico, and Belize. In Europe I have traveled to Ireland, all four countries withing the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Portugal, and Spain.
Reach out to Barry to get started planning your European adventure!
541-480-3889
Instagram: cnc_barry_branaugh
Comments