5 Bucket List Cave + Mine Tours in Minnesota
What better way to continue your bucket list explorations of Minnesota than by embarking on one (or two!) of the best cave and mine tours in the state for families? These incredible destinations promise thrilling guided underground treks, combining endless fun and education in one unforgettable experience. From the enchanting Mystery Cave’s winding passages to the historic depths of the Soudan Underground Mine, these tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the natural and historical wonders beneath our feet. Perfect for curious kids and adventurous parents alike, these tours will leave your family with memories to cherish and stories to share. Get ready to embark on some of the most unique tours in Minnesota, designed for families to uncover the secrets that lie beneath the surface.
Here are the best cave and mine tours in Minnesota (with an honorable mention cave tour in Wisconsin!).
Niagara Cave Guided Tour, Harmony
Address: 29842 Co Hwy 30, Harmony, MN
Adventure below the Earth’s surface with an unforgettable family day trip to Niagara Cave in Harmony (just 2.5 hours from Minneapolis). This family-run limestone cave offers a fascinating journey through time, showcasing fossils that are 450 million years old and stunning rock formations.
On a one-hour guided tour at this Minnesota cave, you’ll hike a mile underground, descending nearly 200 feet to explore stream-sculpted passages, an underground stream and waterfall, and even a unique wedding chapel. Despite the thrilling subterranean trek, rest assured you won’t encounter any bats! With a consistent 48-degree temperature, a light jacket is recommended for staying comfortable throughout the year.
After exploring, extend the fun above ground with a friendly round of mini golf, gemstone panning, or letting the kids enjoy the playground. Concessions and a picnic area make it easy to relax and refuel before your journey home. No wonder this is one of the best cave tours in Minnesota for families!
A Note About Accessibility: Due to the 550 stairs on the tour, wheelchairs and strollers cannot be used during the tour. Instead, those with infants are encouraged to use front-style carriers (back-facing carriers are not permitted). The gift shop, gemstone mining, and mini golf course are wheelchair accessible, however.
Wabasha Street Cave Guided Tour, Saint Paul
Address: 215 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107
Nestled in the heart of Saint Paul, Wabasha Street Caves is the Twin Cities’ only remaining restored Gangster Era site. Guided tours bring the caves’ rich history, intriguing lore, and natural beauty to life, offering several tour options for all ages and interests. While tours cover more local history and lore than geological information, they still rank highly amongst the top cave tours in Minnesota for kids.
For toddlers and young kids, try the Troll Tales Tour. This kid-friendly tour is available every second or third Sunday of the month, with a fun craft activity for children. Depending on your child’s interests, the Historic Cave Tour offers flexible scheduling throughout the month. Meanwhile, the Lost Souls Tour is another great option for families with tweens and teens. Finally, for families with older kids, ages 12+, the Saint Paul Gangster Tour offers a deep dive into the area’s captivating criminal past. Regardless of which tour you embark on, this is one perspective of Saint Paul you’ll never forget! You can find all the tour times and book here!
Guided Cave Tours at Mystery Cave, Preston
Address: 21071 County 118, Preston, MN 55965
Due to the diverse collection of guided tours offered, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park undoubtedly boasts some of the best cave tours in Minnesota for families! Mystery Cave invites families with kids of all ages to explore its rich heritage and natural beauty through 6 tour options, ranging from one to six hours. Each tour features its own topic, including a Lantern Tour and a Geology Tour.
Mystery Cave is Minnesota’s longest cave, spanning over 13 miles of underground passages. Operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, guided tours reveal stunning stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, fossils, and scenic underground pools. Modern lighting and walkways ensure accessible tours for all visitors. Park naturalists lead these guided tours, explaining the cave’s history and formations.
In addition to the guided cave tours, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park offers several more family-friendly activities, including camping, hiking, and trout fishing. Check-in at the main park office for maps and a state park pass (if you still need one). Reservations are recommended and can be made online.
Soudan Underground Mine, Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Soudan
Address: 1302 McKinley Park Road, Soudan, MN 55782
Embark on a thrilling adventure at the Soudan Underground Mine, Minnesota’s first iron mine. Located in Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park (a 3.5-hour drive from the Twin Cities), you’ll discover some of the most unique, family-friendly history tours in Minnesota here! The park offers three unique underground tours for all ages.
Firstly, the Underground Mine Tour takes your family 2,341 feet down to the 27th level, where you’ll don a hard hat and ride the rails back into the mine. Along the way, listen to stories about mining from a century ago. Meanwhile, the Walking Drift Tour follows the miners’ daily route on a ¾-mile walk, exploring the tools and geological clues they used in their quest for iron ore. Select Secrets of the Deep for a scientific twist on your experience. This science-focused tour explores the experiments conducted in the former physics lab and the ongoing research utilizing mine bacteria. Finally, all mine tours are fully accessible (except for the Walking Drift Tour).
On the tour, remember to wear a jacket and sturdy shoes, and note that tickets are required for all visitors (including young children). Before leaving the park, explore the surface facilities, hike the forest trails, and marvel at the Soudan Iron Formation. With so many unique options, it’s unsurprising that families consider this one of the best mine tours in Minnesota.
Please note: Underground tours are suspended for the entire 2024 season due to flooding. Surface Tours will remain available (you do not need a reservation for a surface tour). No purses, bags, backpacks, or strollers are allowed underground during underground tours.
Crystal Cave Guided Tours, Spring Valley (Wisconsin)
Address: W965 State Road 29, Spring Valley, WI 54767
While not technically in Minnesota, Crystal Cave in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, has undoubtedly earned its place in this guide! Just a quick one-hour drive from Minneapolis, this is Wisconsin’s longest cave, with passages that descend more than seven stories underground.
Discover the wonders of Crystal Cave on an exciting one-hour guided walking tour, perfect for visitors of all ages. Led by professional tour guides, you’ll explore stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and unique druzy crystals that give the cave its name. Kids will undoubtedly love the sparkle here! On your tour, learn about the fascinating history and geology of limestone caves while enjoying a consistently cool environment of around 50°F. Light jackets are recommended year-round. Advance reservations are highly encouraged to secure your spot on one of the best cave tours near Minneapolis for families.
A Note About Accessibility: Due to the terrain, wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers are not suitable for use during the tour. Instead, those with infants are encouraged to use front-style carriers (back-facing carriers are not permitted).
Have Fun Exploring Minnesota Caves and Mines!
Whether you’re looking for unique tours in Minnesota or have a child interested in geology, caves, or mines, these guided cave tours across Minnesota (and nearby Wisconsin) offer mesmerizing opportunities to explore the world beneath the Earth’s surface. If visiting a Minnesota cave isn’t on your bucket list with kids – it should be! We hope this guide to the best cave and mine tours in Minnesota for families helps you plan your next unforgettable family adventure!
Antonia Grant is a Minnesota mom + freelance writer who loves encouraging parents to find ways to connect and make memories with their kids. She’s a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia and her family adventures on Instagram @knead.to.roam and on her website. She shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds.
