Minnesota isn’t the first state to come to mind when you think about caves, but the combination of rocks, sediment, and moving water has created some incredible natural caves across the state, a few of which are open to the public and available for tours.
Many of the caves first grew along the tributaries of the Mississippi River and are located in the Twin Cities area and the state’s Southeast corner. You’ll find one of the best caves, Mystery Cave, along the southern border of the state.
If you find yourself visiting the Land of 10,000 Lakes, consider adding a cave tour or two to your itinerary. Here are some of the coolest caves in Minnesota to discover and visit during your vacation.
The Best Caves in Minnesota to Explore
1. Niagara Cave
Address: 29842 Co Rd 30, Harmony, MN 55939
Like other caves throughout Southern Minnesota, Niagara Cave is a limestone cave. Located in Harmony, Minnesota, the cave travels about 200 feet into the ground.
Niagara Cave is a few hours outside the Twin Cities. Some of the cool features you’ll see include a 60-foot waterfall, fossils, and rock formations growing from the ceiling and floor, called stalactites and stalagmites.
Since you’ll likely fly into Minnesota if you’re from out of state, you may want to rent a vacation home like this dreamy summer escape. Harmony is about an hour from Rochester, which means it makes for a great day trip, too.
See Related: Best Tours in Minnesota
2. Mystery Cave
Address: 21071 County Rd 118, Preston, MN 55965
Mystery Cave is a notable tourist attraction in Minnesota as it’s the longest cave in the state. The cave was formed between 500,000 and 1,000,000 years ago by moving water and eroding sediments.
Inside the cave itself, the temperature is a consistent 48 degrees. You’ll want to bring a hoodie or sweater if you get cold easily!
The Forestville Mystery Cave State Park is a good spot to spend the day. When you’ve finished your cave tour, walk through the 19th-century village on site.
See Related: Best State Parks in Minnesota to Visit (+ Map)
3. Soudan Underground Mine
Address: 1302 McKinley Park Rd, Soudan, MN 55782
Located just south of Lake Vermillion, Soudan Underground Mine State Park houses Soudan Underground Mine. The mine was the first iron ore mine in the state when it opened in the 1880s.
Guided tours of the surface facilities that once supported the area’s mining efforts are regularly available for a very nominal fee, and the mine is occasionally open for tours, too.
This area is gorgeous but a bit in the sticks. There aren’t many hotels nearby, but you’ll find a ton of gorgeous vacation rentals on Lake Vermillion, like this lakefront paradise.
See Related: Gooseberry Falls State Park: Things to See & Do
4. Wabasha Street Caves
Address: 215 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107
The Wabasha Street Caves are an excellent part of any trip to the Twin Cities and are not like your average subterranean cave tour experience. The Wabasha Street Caves are believed to house the ghosts of Prohibition Era.
The caves were popular with gangsters in the 1930s. It’s rumored that spirits of John Dillinger, Ma Barker, and Baby Face Nelson have been encountered here.
You’ll love learning about the intersection of American history and the area’s geology during your tour. Make a day of it and add a Twin Cities ghost tour to your itinerary for even more fun!
See Related: Best Things to Do in St. Paul, Minnesota
5. Tyson Spring Cave
Address: Big Spring, Harmony Township, MN 55939
The Tyson Spring Caves are located in Southeast Minnesota, like many of the other caves in the state. The cave is owned by the Minnesota Cave Preserve, which allows researchers and spelunkers access to the cave down a 115-foot access shaft.
The cave’s fame was renewed in 2008 when explorers found ancient ice-age animal bones in a passageway they were excavating. Don’t forget travel insurance should you decide to engage in some adventures during your travels.
See Related: Best Things to Do in Rochester, Minnesota
6. Minnehaha Falls
Address: 4801 S Minnehaha Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417
Located within Minnehaha Regional Park, the Minnehaha Falls area and its caves offer an awesome experience in the winter when the falls turn to ice. The waterfall and caves are an excellent choice for adventure while visiting the Twin Cities, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
If you’re staying in one of the hotels near the Mall of America (such as Element Bloomington), you can reach this waterfall with a 20-minute ride on the metro system. Locals say the best time to visit the caves is in the fall when the colors of the waterfall are beautifully lit by the position of the sun.
See Related: Best Things to Do at the Mall of America
BONUS! 7. Schieks Cave
Address: Downtown Minneapolis, MN 55401
Schiek’s Cave was discovered in 1904 by a sewer worker and is another one of the caves located below the City of Minneapolis. This is the largest cave under the city.
Officials initially kept the cave a secret because they thought the local residents would believe the city was about to fall into the earth through the cave! It’s truly vast, full of twists, turns, and running water.
Few people have been able to access this cave. There used to be a route near the base of the Stone Arch Bridge, but it has since been sealed up.
See Related: Where to Stay in Minneapolis: Best Neighborhoods & Areas
FAQ
Why are there so many caves in Southeast Minnesota?
Over time, water underneath the ground in Minnesota wore away at the rocks and led to the formation of caves. Today, you might see a cavern or an underground lake formed over thousands of years by water that eventually made its way to the surface and became part of the Mississippi River.
What is the “mystery cave?”
Mystery Cave is one of the most famous Minnesota caves due to its size. With over 13 miles of passageways, the cave is the longest in the state. The cave was named by local kids who were hired to clear debris from the cave, so people could tour and explore it.
Where is Mystery Cave State Park Located?
This state park is located in Southern Minnesota and is part of the Forestville State Park area. The park offers cave tours, streams for trout fishing, camping opportunities, and trails appropriate for horseback riding.
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