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Ultimate Guide to Crystal Lake Cave, Iowa (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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Located around 15 miles from downtown Dubuque, Crystal Lake Cave is worth visiting, even if you are not a cave enthusiast. The cave’s geological formations are stunning, making Crystal Cave an underground wonder of Iowa. 

Crystal Lake Cave, Iowa

This cave is the perfect destination for your family adventure. You should call the cave beforehand if you plan for the Wild Cave Tour, as it operates only based on reservation. 

History of Crystal Lake Cave

Crystal Lake Cave was discovered in 1868 by James Rice, a lead miner searching for the ore-bearing stone. The cave he found contained an impressive collection of crystals like stalactite, aragonite, travertine, et al. Initially, access to the cave was through a bucket lowered down by a rope through a 45 ft shaft. 

The ownership of the cave was passed on to Charles Linden and was eventually named Linden’s Cave. Bernad Markus, a son-in-law of Linden, began to develop the site in the 1930s as Crystal Lake Cave. Markus started operating the mine as a tourist attraction from 1932 till his death in 1944.

After his death, the ownership of the cave was passed on to Herbert Knockel and Evelyn, the granddaughter of Markus. The land ownership was again passed on to James and Doris Rubel in 1978. 

Rubel hired Dennis Flint of Dubuque to replace the high voltage lines installed in the caves in 1940. His background was handy when he placed the lights operated by motion detectors. Today it is the largest show cave in Iowa . The cave floor was lowered, and passageways were developed once a decision was taken to commercialize the cave. 

Geological Cave Formations in Crystal Lake Cave

The beautiful geological formations inside this cave took around two million years to form. The cave system has been hailed by many as underground for mineral formations. Walking through the cave, you will encounter various helictites, stalagmites, and rare anthodites.

The general tour of the cave will take you past some fantastic formations with names like Lop-Eared Dog, Swiss Cottage Roof, Cliff Dwellers, and the lovely Lost Gardens. The best part is that all formations are nicely labeled, so you can always figure out what they are.

The field of soda straws looks cool, but since they were right above the walkway, you might panic that one of them will fall and hit your head! You may find more intricate formations in other caves across the state , but the sheer amount of soda straws in this cave will surely leave you surprised. 

Wildlife in Crystal Lake Cave

The cave is home to cave crickets and at least two species of bats. In the winter, one would find little brown bats and the cave bats enjoying the cave all by themselves. When the tourist season starts, they sleep deep in the natural tunnels, far from the tours and all disruptions. 

Is Crystal Lake Cave Haunted?

This cave is not haunted and is an iconic attraction in Iowa. It receives fifteen to twenty thousand visitors yearly who marvel at the beautiful geological formations. 

How Big is Crystal Lake Cave?

The length of this cave is 1 to 1.5 miles in a loop. 

Crystal Lake Cave Tours

The tour at Crystal Lake Cave starts right from inside the gift shop. There is a narrow set of chairs built into the cave. The guide will take you into the cave, and you will already start seeing the formations hanging from the new part of the cave walls. A lot of water is dripping into the cave, making it evident that more formations are coming. The average height of the passageways is about six feet, with a width of two feet. 

The guide will take you through different passageways and point out the different formations by the name of Honeycomb Pillars, St Peters Dome, and Noah’s Ark, among others. The most favorite part of the cave for the visitors is Crystal Lake. It is a narrow lake about 4 ft wide and has a length of 28 ft. There is a hole in the cave walls, and one can see the lake only through this. 

One might feel claustrophobic while navigating through the passageways as, at many points, you have to walk sideways to get through. You must duck at many points to avoid hitting the lower ceiling formations. The cave tour involves a lot of fun and learning. The guide is knowledgeable and will answer all your queries. It takes an hour for the cave tour to get over. 

Another tour is called the Wild Tour, a spelunker’s delight. The thrill-seekers would like the tour as you are led through narrow and unexcavated passageways. It is a unique opportunity to see those portions of the cave you have never seen before. The tour is done mainly on hands and knees and lasts an hour and a half. 

Crystal Lake Cave Tour Prices and Discounts

• Adults – USD 20
• Children (4 to 11 years) – USD 8
• Children (under four years of age) – Free

Is Crystal Lake Cave Cold?

Crystal Lake Cave has a consistent 52 degrees F throughout the year, but it does not feel as cold as the other caves. However, carrying a light jacket is still recommended.  

What to Wear?

Warm shorts and long pants are a must when you visit this cave. You can also consider wearing a light jacket or a hoodie. There would be many puddles in the cave, so we suggest you wear closed-toe shoes without socks. 

If you have signed up for the Wild Cave Tour, you must carry knee pads and a hard hat for your protection. 

Crystal Lake Cave Hours

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm

What to Do at the cave (Beside Tours)

This is one of those attractions where you can do much more than just caving. Gem Mining can be an exciting and fun activity; your kids will love doing it the whole day. You can get the gem bags from the gift shop and come to the mining sluice to uncover fossils, gemstones, and many hidden treasures.  

The Gift Shop is another place where you can spend some time. It has excellent souvenirs, and you should be able to pick something for everyone in your family. There are sparkling gems and jewelry, intricately carved sculptures, and decorations. 

Best Time to Visit Crystal Lake Caves

The cave remains open from Memorial Day to the end of October. So, you can come here anytime although it does get crowded on weekends. 

How to Get to Crystal Lake Cave

This living cave is located 5 miles South of Dubuque on Highway 52. The cave is at the Mississippi River’s confluence of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. 

Hotels near Crystal Lake Cave

There are no camping facilities here. Several quality hotels are located within 10 km of the property, such as Redstone Inn & Suites and Lorelei Cabins. 

Places To Stay Nearby

Crystal lake cave fun facts.

• This is one of the largest living caves in the country. 
• Many of the large formations in the cave have funny and whimsical names, and they are perfectly labeled so that visitors can understand them. 
• There is an underground lake inside the cave. 
• The cave has large deposits of crystals, which are rare and found in only a few places in the world. 

Crystal Lake Cave Details 

• Length: 1 to 1.5 miles in a loop
• Time Recommended: 2 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Dog-friendly: No
• Fees: USD 20 for adults
• Hours: 9 am to 5 pm (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)  

Download our Crystal Lake Cave Guide (Unofficial) 

Visiting this cave.

Do you need additional information before visiting the Crystal Lake Cave? Call (563) 556-6451 for an information packet. 

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Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque IA: A Show Cave Worth Visiting

There are some moments in life where you ask yourself, Do I really want to see another cave? I’ve hit up a few in Minnesota already and enjoyed them. How different could this one be? It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the others. I just didn’t realize how lackluster they were in comparison to this one.

Before I visited Dubuque, I heard they have a cave . I blew it off deciding instead to look for more unique adventures. It seems like we visit a cave once a year and had just done one this year.

With a small hole in my schedule before the Field of Dreams, Celebrity Game was supposed to start, I decided to give it a try. Partly because I wanted to see if I could convince my mom to go.

She had gotten dragged into another one earlier this season with my sister and hated every minute. In the end, no amount of guilt could get her convinced to go to another cave.

The Crystal Lake Cave Tour

Getting to Crystal Lake Cave was a little on the outskirts of Dubuque. Even more so, you went right by a farm which had me questioning where the GPS was even taking us. But it turned out to be correct.

We got there around lunchtime, and it was already buzzing with visitors.

We quickly got tickets and found out that the next tour was leaving in about 15 minutes. It seemed like we got there just in time because other visitors were waiting upwards of an hour.

It was Labor Day Weekend and incredibly busy as everyone was trying to get their end of season trips in.

The tour leaves from inside the gift shop. We all piled into the narrow set of stairs built into the cave. It was there where we paused waiting for the all-clear to continue on.

I could already start to see formations hanging on the newest part of the cave walls. With the amount of water dripping into the cave, there was a lot more to come.

Crystal Lake Cave Discovery

The cave was discovered by James Rice in 1868. He was in search of ore-bearing stones. Instead, he found a bunch of crystals, including aragonite and some beautiful formations.

Today it is the Largest Show cave in Iowa. Once it was commercialized, they lowered the floor of the cave and the passageways. On average it is about six feet high by two feet wide.

The Cave Formations

The tour guides will take you through all the different passageways pointing out things like Honeycomb Pillars, St Peters Dome and fun formations like the Ostrich and Noah’s Ark. Basically any interesting things that can be interpreted as something else.

My favorite part of the cave was Crystal Lake. It is a narrow lake about 4ft wide and 28 ft long. You can only see through a hole in the cave walls. This cave was unique in the number of different formations found.

One thing that I didn’t realize when entering the cave was how claustrophobic it would be. I found myself often having to walk sideways to get through.

At many points, I was hunched over to avoid some of the lower ceiling formations trying to avoid hitting my head.

As someone who is 5’5 it was a first. This was a little unnerving at first, but we all quickly became accustomed to this. I can’t imagine how the first explorers felt.

The cave never had a dull moment. There were always well lite points of interest through the place. The tour guides had a great mix of basic cave knowledge and entertainment.

The one thing the tour lacked though was fossils and historical references. Instead, they focused more on the fun aspects that photograph well.

Common Questions Before Visiting Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque

Is this kid friendly.

I do not recommend going in the cave with younger kids that need to be carried. This includes babies strapped into a front baby carrier. If you are larger or have problems bending over, you may not have the best time either.

The tour guide was very friendly with my talkative children answering all their crazy questions. They even let my oldest lead the tour with the official flashlight for a portion.

This tour didn’t have any blackout portions. Both Niagara Cave in MN and Crystal Cave in WI tours both included that in their tours. Even the Sudan Underground Mine Tour in Northern MN did it. My kids were very thankful they weren’t subjected to it again.

What should you wear?

As with any cave, you always want to remember to dress appropriately. Warm Shirts and long pants are a must.  I’d even consider a hoodie or light jacket.

Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque was a consistent 52 degrees the whole time. For some reason this time around, I didn’t find it as cool as other caves.

I was a little concerned considering I only had a pair of Teva’s and no dry socks. In the end, it worked out better because there were a lot of puddles on the cave floor. And when I stepped right in one by accident, I would have walked around with wet socks.

Are there Bats?

The cave has been known to have a bat or two, but typically no, you won’t see bats on the tour. I asked our guide and she said that they did spot one the day before, but it was very rare.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about an hour.

Are they open year-round?

No, they are seasonally open May – October.

How much is it?

The tour cost $15 for adult, $7 for kids 4-11 and under 4 is free.

Is there anything else to do there?

Like most commercial caves, you can also mine for gems outside the gift shop. It was small. If you have not done it before, every bag you buy is guaranteed to have some gems in it so the kids will have fun.

What are some other caves in Iowa?

Iowa has a lot more caves than you think.  Maquoketa Caves State Park, Ice Cave State Preserve, and Wapsipinicon State Park Caves.

The most traditional style cave is Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque. If you like to learn more, check out the book Iowa Underground: A Guide to the State’s Subterranean Treasures.

Was Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque IA Worth It?

I was afraid that it would be nothing more than a tourist trap. From the traditional style gift shop and gem mining out front, I was not expecting the rich and wondering things inside.

I really do think that some of the best adventures I have are those stop on a whim. This one definitely tops the list of best cave adventures so far. I may have ruined all future caves for me.

When we left the cave, we were still buzzing about all the cool things in there. I think that my mom made a good choice staying in the car. Though she loved all the fun stories.

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Minnesota native and Midwest travel expert Jennifer provides insider tips and budget-friendly trip ideas for families looking to explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Through her travel blog DayTripper28, she draws on first-hand experience to recommend the best hidden gems, outdoor adventures, road trips, and weekend getaways around Minnesota and the Midwest. With her passion for uncovering local flavors and culture along the backroads, Jennifer shares affordable itineraries for creating memorable experiences across the region.

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Crystal Lake Cave

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Crystal Lake Cave - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• Sat - Sun 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• (1.59 km) Hotel Julien Dubuque
• (2.33 km) The Hancock House
• (1.75 km) Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena, an IHG hotel
• (3.57 km) Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center
• (4.41 km) Hampton Inn Dubuque
• (0.63 km) Hy Vee
• (2.35 km) L.May Eatery
• (2.45 km) Brazen Open Kitchen + Bar
• (0.63 km) Starbucks
• (1.59 km) Caroline's Restaurant

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Visit Crystal Lake Cave

Crystal Lake Cave, near Dubuque, Iowa, is a constantly evolving natural wonder, as streams of water continuously erode and shape the limestone formations. Tour this underground labyrinth and its geology of stalactites, stalagmites and columns. The subterranean complex was originally discovered in 1868 by a miner looking for lead ore.

Walk among the formations along lighted paths as a guide describes various features. When rainwater seeps through the soil above it becomes a weak acid that dissolves and reconstructs the limestone into fascinating shapes that slowly change. Learn about stalactites that hang from the cave’s ceiling, stalagmites that come up from the floor, columns of rock, helictites with erratic spiraling shapes and anthodites with incredible needle-like crystalline patterns.

Younger visitors are able to pan for their own treasures in the Gem Mining Sluice that channels mineral-rich water into a defined area for sifting. Explore some of the more hidden areas of the underground formations with a Wild Cave Tour that takes adventurous visitors farther than the regular visit. The regular tour starts every 15 to 30 minutes and lasts 45 minutes, while the adventurous tour is 1.5 hours and needs to be booked in advance by phone.

Be sure to bring a jacket and wear long pants as the cave often has cooler temperatures even when surface temperatures are beastly hot. The site also recommends wearing closed-toe shoes instead of flip-flops or sandals. You will be navigating a steep set of stairs to get in and out of the cave and passing through some tight areas. Take home a souvenir from the gift shop, which has various items crafted from minerals, including jewelry and gemstones.

Have a family outing at Crystal Lake Cave located 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Dubuque on Crystal Lake Cave Road. It’s open most days but closed in winter. Children under 4 years old are offered free admission. Ask for discounted rates for other kids through age 11.

Plan a trip to see Crystal Lake Cave

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Stockton, IL

Reviewed on Apr 13, 2024

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Crystal Lake Cave

Review Highlights

“ On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this attraction a 9. ” in 3 reviews

“ The gift shop employee was very friendly and they have some nice souvenirs and various minerals and rocks for purchase. ” in 7 reviews

“ Our guide ( Julie I believe?) was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about it. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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6684 Crystal Lake Cave Rd

Dubuque, IA 52001

About the Business

Tours of 'Nature's Masterpiece', a cave that is approximately 2,000,000 years old with millions of crystal formations. Also, a large gift shop, gem mining sluice and picnic grounds with pavilions. …

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Visited today (8/12/2023). Tickets: $20 for 12yrs old and older $8 for 4-11yrs old free for under 4 yrs old From a highway, you'll drive thru a dirt road that will bring you to a dirt parking lot beside a Frisbee golf field. The kids were excited. The dirt road added to the ambiance of a "mystery cave to explore"! Ooooh! Ahhh! Upon arriving, we were greeted by a sign on a white, one-storey building that probably has never been renovated since the 1960s that says, "CRYSTAL LAKE CAVE". My expectations were kind of lowered after seeing the 1960s building. If the owners do not care enough to keep the business up-to-date, then what else about the business is not updated? (Answer: the bathroom.) To continue the story, the white building is the dark, old gift shop where you'll buy your tix. The entrance to the cave is in the gift shop. You will descend on a flight of stairs to start your way into the cave. One of the two bored-looking staff in the gift shop was our tour guide. (No greeting, no hello, no engagement when we entered the gift shop; just the look of boredom.) There were about 20 of us in the tour. You will walk single file in the cave. We were on the tail end of the single file so did not really hear nor engage with the tour guide. Seeing the stalactites, stalagmites, and other parts of the cave was cool but it was a "meh" tour. We have been to a cave in Missouri where some parts of the cave had a light show. For this tour, we could have done the "tour" just as well by ourselves as long as there were arrows in the cave that tell you where to go. To protect the cave, we tried our best to not touch any surfaces. I am not sure how much protection the cave has if it is a single file of 20 people and the people in the back could not be monitored. We came out of the cave after 45 mins and that was that. Gave our tour guide a tip despite the "meh" tour hoping it would alleviate her boredom. The kids wanted to do the mining activity outside the gift shop which was $7 per bag and they played at the old, underwhelming "mining" play area. I could not wait to leave. There was only 1 women's bathroom which was under construction (I hope). Newly laid cement, a sink that was barely working, a light switch towards the upper wall, etc. showed signs that it was under construction. I hope if we come back years from now, this bathroom will be in better/cleaner condition. Suggestions for a better tour: 1) If there are kids, engage them by giving them lanterns and hard hats with lights. Better yet: give everyone hard hats with lights to protect heads from bumping low lying stalactite formations. 2) Limit tour groups to 10 people at a time and make tours 30 mins in duration. 3) Renovate/update the gift shop. It is so dark and stuck in the 1960s and please add more seats with shade. 4) Renovate/update the bathrooms. (It looks like this is being done already.) Tips to those visiting: 1) Bring a sweater and a flashlight. 2) Wear shoes that you don't mind getting dirty or wet. 3) If you want to learn a lot, go as close to the front of the line where you can hear your tour guide. 4) If you just want to walk the cave system and don't really care about the lecture, you may stay at the back of the line. Bottomline: -Glad we went but once is enough.

This was such a great experience for us on our cross-country road trip move from Compton CA to Canaan VT. This was one of the best stops we made, we really enjoyed it.

TOURIST REVIEW: Low expectations. Overall, it wasn't as good as we would have wanted. You get for what you paid for and for the $15, it was honestly "eh". There were about 15 people on the tour and we were told that in the previous tours, there were maxed at 25 people so we were considered "lucky" that we didn't have as much people. The tour guide was nice and luckily we stood by him in the front so we could hear everything. I'm not sure if anyone in the back could hear because you were walking in a single-file line. The tour total time is about 45 minutes long, but one hour from lining up to exiting the cave. Some of the questions I asked weren't really answered because of either unsure of the answer or there just wasn't one so it was a bit unsatisfying. Also a lot of silent moments when there would have been more storytelling especially with the signs of the rock formations but nothing. So it was not very entertaining. Either way, it was an okay tour. Nothing memorable. I wished it was a lot better like the one we went in Austin, Texas. I wouldn't quite recommend this place but if you've never been to one and really want one, you can come and see it for yourself. I mean it IS only $15. Oh yea, don't forget to wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty because there are tons of pools of water you step on.

If you want to experience seeing orbs and spirits roaming- you will find them in the caves just turn on your light and press play on your video as you record and watch the orbs float past you! Amazing

Very Very Cool Attraction in Dubuque! I LOVED getting a tour through Crystal Lake Cave! The caves are 50-100 feet below ground and incredibly extraordinary! With stalagmites and stalagtites ranging in various lengths, this cave is full of beauty for everyone to enjoy. The cave's tight corridors and turns made the tour even more exciting. The guide was very knowledgeable about the entire cave. There were so many neat creations to see inside the cave! Droplets of water dripped on us through the cave with moist cave floors beneath our feet, but it was still very cool. Tour was 35 minutes. And leaving the cave you have to walk through water up to your ankles for about 20 feet and then climb up a ladder and go out the manhole-like door. I felt like I was in a movie, lol. Temperature inside the cave was 50 degrees. Nice place to go on a hot summer day. Definitely a MUST SEE attraction in Iowa!

See all photos from Brita R. for Crystal Lake Cave

Being under the cave for the first time, this is by far the best experience I had ! We came here at night and I thought it was going to be spooky to be honest but it turns out to be so informative and very interesting with a cute gift shop that I couldn't resist getting lots of cute little memories for the road. If you are a first time cave person like myself or you just like exploring different types of cave, this is the place to be! It was a little spooky but our guide made it very fun and nice. Will recommend to anyone. And the lady is so sweet, she even let me have my service dog join which he really enjoyed too.

The unexpected treasures you can find following the advice of a billboard. I was looking to explore on my drive out to the Field of Dreams movie site and saw this billboard coming and going so I decided to stop. I was already planning to go to the Cave of the Mounds but had plenty of time to kill. Between the Mounds and this one, I think the Crystal Cave is better and more interesting with a lot more features. I would do both as they are different. The Crystal Cave is a better squeeze your way through and step in puddle kind of place and the Mounds is more refined hallways and large bored tunnels to get you around. I personally like the little more natural feel of the Crystal Cave and it had easily twice as many features to be amazed at.

See all photos from Lawrence T. for Crystal Lake Cave

I can't say enough about this. Our guide (Julie I believe?) was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about it. The history of the cave is amazing and beyond gorgeous. The gift shop also had a lot of cool things! $15 for a tour is insanely underpriced for the duration and experience of the tour. Definitely coming again next year! Covid precautions were also in place, masks, sanitizing hands every time they touch a personal item, and distancing.

Crystal clear lake. Those points you see at the bottom are actually reflections of the top!!

We happened to be passing through the area so we decided to check out this cave. The admission price is $14 per adult and tour lasts 45 minutes. You enter the cave through the gift shop by going down steep stairs. The gift shop is a bit outdated but they have several rocks and crystals for sale. It's consistently 50 degrees in the cave year round. It's very wet in the cave and you have to walk through several puddles. The passageways can be tight and many times you have to duck for low ceilings. The formations are pretty but all are calcium stalagmites/stalactites. I would recommend it if you're in the area.

Friendly staff. Main complaint; 22 people in tour group was about 10 too many. They oversold having 15 adults, 5 children and 2 under the age of 4 in one tour, this really should not be allowed. Additionally, the $15 cost for an adult admission and $7 per child is way too much for what you little there is to see considering the small size of the cave system. And with a large group you can't hear the tour guide unless you're standing in front.

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The Iowa Cave Tour In Dubuque That Belongs On Your Bucket List

If she isn't writing, hiking, teaching, or gardening, Cristy is probably busy enjoying a good book and a big bowl of ice cream.

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While Iowa has many treasures in plain sight – such as rich soil, beautiful sunsets, wide open spaces, and friendly people – there are many other hidden gems in Iowa that are tucked away out of sight. And not just a little out of sight, either – we’re talking waaaay out of sight, “deep in the bowels of the earth” out of sight. We’re talking about Iowa’s one and only Crystal Lake Cave.

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What are you waiting for? Grab some friends, get group pricing, and make some memories underground. You can learn more about the cave by visiting the Crystal Lake Cave website. And make sure to like the Facebook page for this Iowa cave , so you can stay up to date on hours, specials, and more.

Looking for accommodations near Crystal Lake Cave? Check out VRBO , which features accommodations for all budgets and tastes.

This cave isn’t the only hidden gem in Iowa tucked away beneath the Earth. Here are some other secret underground places in Iowa .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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What are some of the best hidden gems in Iowa?

There are lots of wonderful hidden gems in Iowa. Here are some hidden gems in Iowa that you’ll want to seek out:

• Effigy Mounds National Monument : This site, located near Marquette, preserves prehistoric mounds built by Native Americans. The mounds are shaped like animals and birds and provide a unique glimpse into ancient cultures.
• Dunnings Spring Park : Located in Decorah, Dunnings Spring Park is a serene oasis nestled in the Driftless Region, renowned for its cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, and picturesque trails.
• Grotto of the Redemption : Located in West Bend, this religious shrine is one of the largest man-made grottos in the world. It features nine grottos depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, adorned with minerals and fossils.

Aside from Crystal Lake Cave, are there any other caves in Iowa?

Iowa may not be known for its caves, but there are several in the state. Here are some of the most beautiful caves in Iowa:

• Maquoketa Caves State Park : This park features several caves, each with its own unique features. Dancehall Cave, Wye Cave, and Hernado's Hideaway are among the popular caves in the park.
• Spook Cave : Situated in McGregor, Spook Cave offers boat tours through its underground passages. The cave is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, and the boat tour adds a unique experience.
• Cold Water Cave : This cave, located in Decorah, is one of the longest caves in Iowa. It's not open to the public for casual exploration, but it is significant for its length and unique geological features.

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About Crystal Lake Cave

Crystal Lake Cave was discovered in 1868 by miners who were searching for lead and zinc deposits in the area. As they dug, they stumbled upon a small opening that led them into what is now known as Crystal Lake Cave. They were amazed by what they found inside the cave. It was filled with stunning crystal formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique geological features. The cave was named Crystal Lake Cave due to the beautiful crystals that adorned its walls and ceilings.

Word of the cave’s beauty quickly spread, becoming a popular tourist attraction in the late 19th century. People from all over the United States came to Dubuque to explore the cave and marvel at its natural wonders. Crystal Lake Cave has undergone various changes and improvements to enhance the visitor experience. Walkways and lighting were installed to make it easier and safer for tourists to explore the cave. Guided tours were introduced, allowing visitors to learn about the cave’s history, geology, and the various formations found within. Crystal Lake Cave is not only a natural wonder but also an important historical site. It has played a significant role in the development of tourism in Dubuque and has been a source of pride for the local community.

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Exploring Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque, Iowa

As a general rule, I don’t typically enjoy small, dark spaces. But when  we were in the area  a few weeks ago a friend and I decided to make a trip to  Crystal Lake Cave  in Dubuque, Iowa.

The caves were first discovered in the mid-1800s by miners looking for lead. While they never had much luck finding what they were looking for, they stumbled upon elaborate crystal formations hidden deep below the ground. Located about 15 minutes from downtown Dubuque, the cave opened to the public in 1932 and remains one of the largest “living” caves in the country.

Initially I wasn’t particularly thrilled about spending time 100 feet below ground in a dark, drippy cave. But I’d heard the cave’s crystal formations were worth seeing.

Our tour guide was informative and entertaining, stopping for questions and to let us take pictures throughout the tour. He also balanced it out by sharing engaging information about the cave’s history. Like the fact—for example—that it takes a century for these types of crystal formations to grow about an inch. That means that some of the formations in Crystal Lake Cave have to be thousands of years old. Weddings also have been held in the cave (I think I’ll pass on this one) in a 16-foot space that was referred to as “The Chapel” by the miners.

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If you visit Crystal Lake Cave

Even if you’re not a cave enthusiast, Crystal Lake Cave’s formations are worth seeing. The cave is open to visitors from Memorial Day through October, and hours vary throughout the season. You can find more information about visiting on the attraction’s website .

Be sure to bring a sweatshirt or jacket, even if you visit in the summer. Being a natural cave, the temperature below ground is always exactly 52 degrees.

Cost : $14 adults / $7 children

Crystal Lake Cave , 6684 Crystal Lake Cave Road in Dubuque, Iowa

Have you ever visited a cave? What was your favorite part of the experience?

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Crystal Lake Cave

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Crystal Lake Cave - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (417) 815-CAVE (2283)

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Experience So Much More at Crystal Cave

• Rates & Tours

Crystal Cave Tours

Join us for an hour-long guided tour of Crystal Cave. Bring your sweater as the temperature inside the cave is a cool 59° fahrenheit. We begin our tour through the old Springfield jail gates and enter this naturally preserved, spectacular geological underworld. You certainly won't be disappointed in this adventure as you view many fantastic geological formations including stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone, and the rare helictites formations. Tours depart on the hour.

1-14 PEOPLE

Individual Rate Per Person

Includes Cave Tour

Mother Lode

Combo Deal Per Person

Includes Cave Tour, Putt Putt, and Mother Lode Gemstone Mining

Add Fossil Dig for an additional $8

Emerald Strike

Includes Cave Tour, Putt Putt, and Emerald Strike Gemstone Mining

The Prospector

Includes Cave Tour, Putt Putt, and Prospector Gemstone Mining

15-19 PEOPLE

Group Rate Per Person

Family Rate

Per Family Up To 5 People

School Groups

Special School Educational Tour

Wild Cave Tour

Join us for two exciting hours of guided off-trail cave exploration. You’ll walk, crawl and climb your way through a mile long subterranean creek bed, lit only by the light of your helmet! There you will see crystals, geodes, fossils, flowstone, and large rimstone formations as you venture into a part of Crystal Cave that very few have ever seen. You will encounter running water, loose stones, and lots of mud, so be sure to dress for the occasion. Lace up shoes, long pants, and long sleeve shirts are strongly suggested. Headlamps, helmets, and knee pads are required for the tour, and will be provided for those who don’t bring their own.

What’s required to book a Wild Cave Tour?

• Must sign a liability waiver when you check-in for your tour
• Must be 16 years of age or older
• One parent/guardian must accompany anyone under the age of 18
• Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes that are ok to get dirty. You will get dirty.

Wild Cave Tours start at 5 pm on Saturdays . Please arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before your departure time.

Indoor 9-hole Putt-Putt Course

Trackless Train Ride

Gemstone Mining & Fossil Dig

Penny Arcade

Birthday Parties & Special Events

Let's have a Party! Crystal Cave wants to celebrate your special occasion. We offer a private area for your birthday party, group meeting, club get together, or whatever you have on your calendar. We provide the room, tables, chairs, and kitchen area with microwave and refrigerator. You provide the party decorations, food, and guests.

• Birthday Party
• Family Reunion
• Anniversary
• Team Building
• Office Party

Our testimonials

What Our Happy Clients say about us

Success isn’t really that difficult. There is a significant portion of the population here in North America, that actually want and need success really no magic to be hard.

For those of you who are serious about having more, doing more, giving more and being more, success is achievable with some understanding of what to do, discipline.

He first thing to remember about success is that it is a process – nothing more, nothing less. There is really no magic to it and it’s not reserved only few people.

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Crystal Lake Cave

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Crystal Lake Cave - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Visiting Tips (2024)

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Crystal & Fantasy Caves Tours

April 25, 2024 until April 26, 2026 Recurring daily From: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Individual Caves Adults: $24 Children (12 and under): $10 Children under 5 are free. Combination Ticket: Adults: $35 Children (12 and under): $12 Children under 5 are free.

About Crystal & Fantasy Caves Tours

Start your day with an awe-inspiring journey to the  Crystal Caves , one of the island's largest and most dramatic cave systems. Marvel at the soaring stalagmites and delicate limestone formations, and cross the floating bridge to peer into a crystal-clear underground lake. Tours are available daily and walk ins are welcome, however wait times vary so reservations are recommended. 

First tour: 9.30 am. Last tour: 4.30 pm. Last combination tour: 4 pm

Closed January 1, Good Friday, December 24, 25 and 26.

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Crystal Cave

Photo inside the crystal cave gift shop, crystal cave —the world’s largest underground geode.

An ecological wonder, the Crystal Cave, is one attraction not to be missed! No trip to Put-in-Bay is complete without a trip down under to see the stunning cave. Located on the grounds of the Heineman Winery, this unique treasure complements the local winery and beautiful wine garden.

The Crystal Cave Particulars

The Crystal Cave is home to the largest known geode in the world. The gorgeous celestine crystals grow up to 3 feet in width. The walls are blanketed in strontium sulfate, a bluish mineral called celestite. They can grow as large as 8 to 18 inches in length.

Tours of the Heineman Winery and cave are offered forv$4 for children ages 6 to 11. and  $8 for adults. Tours are offered seven days a week from early May until late September. On Sunday, tours begin at noon and continue until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, cave tours start at 11 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m.  Be sure sure to pack a sweater as the temperature in the cave is always a little cooler than outside.

The History of the Crystal Cave

The cave was discovered in 1897 by miners digging a well to provide water for the Winery. The cave was quite a remarkable discovery! As they accidentally came upon the Crystal Cave, the sheer size took all by surprise. Originally they harvested crystals and sold them for the manufacturing of fireworks. This harvesting expanded the cave to its current size.

The Crystal Cave also played a significant role in saving the Heineman Winery during Prohibition years. Before Prohibition, Put-in-Bay was home to many wineries making their wines. The passage of the Volstead Act impacted the island hard, and all other 17 wineries closed.

Heineman Winery was blessed to have the entrepreneurial brain of Norman Heineman, son of founder Gustav, leading the way. Norman opened up the Crystal Cave to visitors, selling unfermented grape juice and tickets in order to survive this difficult time. The Crystal Cave is located about a mile from downtown Put-in-Bay. Nearby attractions include Perry’s Cave and Family Fun Center , the Put-in-Bay Airport , and Saunders Golf Course .

Heineman Winery History

Gustav Heineman, who was an immigrant from Baden, Germany, opened Heineman Winery in 1888. Baden is the grape growing region of Germany, and Heineman came loaded with expert knowledge of winemaking.

The Lake Erie Islands are ideal for winemaking. The grapes in the region are exceptional thanks to perfect soil conditions and a long growing season due to the warming effect of Lake Erie. It is its own winemaking paradise!

Heineman Winery makes all types of wine from native grapes on the island, such as the Labrusca grape. They make every type of wine from white to red and their most popular, the Pink Catawba or Pink Cat, as it is called.

The Heineman Winery facility consists of a beautiful wine garden and gift shop, which are both open the same hours as the Crystal Cave. Enjoy wine along with cheese plates and bring home bottles of wine and geodes after your summer on Put-in-Bay .

Crystal Cave

Adventures Above and Below

Hours & Admissions

Hours and Admissions

Spring: april 3 – may 24 2024, reservations strongly recommended for cave tours during the spring.

• Monday & Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday through Friday: 10am – Last Tour departs 3:00pm. (grounds close by 4:30pm)
• Saturday & Sunday: 10am – Last Tour departs 4:00pm. (grounds close by 5:30pm)

Summer: May 25 – September 2 2024

Reservations recommended for cave tours during the summer.

• July 4, 2023: 9:30 am – Last Tour departs 4:00pm. (grounds close by 5:30pm)
• Saturday & Sunday: 9:30 am – Last Tour departs 5:00pm. (grounds close by 6:30pm)
• Monday through Friday 9:30 am – Last Tour departs 4:00pm. (grounds close by 5:30pm)

Reservations Strongly Recommended for Cave Tours during the Fall Limited Weekday Tours

Fall: september 3 – october 31 2024.

• Monday through Friday: 10 am – Last Tour departs 3:00pm. (grounds close by 4:30pm)
• Saturday & Sunday: 10 am – Last Tour departs 4:00pm. (grounds close by 5:30pm)

November 1 – March 31 Closed for the winter