We Look Forward to Seeing You Soon!
Welcome to Crystal Lake Cave, one of Iowa’s most unique natural wonders, tucked away in the scenic countryside of Dubuque County. Whether you’re returning for another unforgettable journey underground or planning your very first visit, we’re excited to have you with us.
We’re thrilled to announce that Crystal Lake Cave will open for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Throughout the month of May, guided tours will be available on Saturdays and Sundays, offering a perfect weekend adventure for families, friends, and curious explorers. Beginning Memorial Day, the cave will be open daily, making it even easier to experience the beauty below the surface.
Step into a world shaped over thousands of years, where stunning formations, rich history, and natural wonder come together in an experience unlike any other. Our guided tours are designed to be both engaging and accessible, making Crystal Lake Cave a must-see destination for visitors of all ages.
To our returning guests—welcome back. We can’t wait to share the magic of the cave with you again. And to those discovering us for the first time—your adventure starts here.
Plan your visit today and discover what lies beneath.
Crystal Lake Cave Team
Plan Your Visit to Crystal Lake Cave
This is everything you need to know...
Crystal Lake Cave is open 9 am to 6 pm daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day. During the summer season the first tour each day begins at 9:30 am and the final tour of the day departs at 5 pm.
Through the months of September and October, we are open from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays ONLY. During this season the first tour each day begins at 9:30 am and the final tour departs at 4 pm.
All tours are led by a trained guide. All guests must be accompanied by a tour guide while in the cave.
The cave is entirely underground, so the weather has no effect on our tours. Tours leave every 30 minutes.
Pricing:
Children up to 4 years of age are free
Children ages 5 to 11 are $8
Everyone age 12 and above are $20
Groups of ten or more receive a $2 discount
Tours of 10 or fewer guests take approximately 35 to 45 minutes to complete. Larger groups of up to 20 guests typically take 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Tours take place on our walking history and science passage. This passage is about 3/4 of a mile long and the height is comparable to a large hallway. There are places where you will need to duck, but your guides will always give you the heads up in these spots.
We do offer a Wild Cave Tour for a future return date. This cave tour takes about 2.5 hours and is by reservation only.
Reservations:
No online Booking is available or required.
We only take Reservations for Groups of 10 or more people. Call the number below to make a reservation.
Tours Depart about every half hour on a first come first served basis. If the tour before you has filled or departed prior to your arrival it will be an approximately 25-minute wait until the next departure. During holiday weekend this wait time can be up to an hour.
You can book weekday tours for groups of 10 or more for the months of April, September, and October.
Restrictions:
Unfortunately, strollers, walkers and wheelchairs do NOT fit in the Cave Passage but Baby carriers, Walking sticks or Canes work great!
Pets:
Pets are NOT allowed in the Cave unless an ADA Service Dog. The requirements of an ADA Service Dog must be individually trained to do work or tasks for an individual with a disability. Please call ahead if you have questions regarding the Pet Policy.
Recommendations:
The Cave is only 52 degrees so please bring a light jacket or sweatshirt. Also, the cave is damp so please bring shoes that can get damp or lightly wet. If you would like to bring a flashlight that is permitted.
Take all the pictures you want but please no Video!
We sell light snacks and drinks, but it is recommended that you eat before or after you come. We have picnic tables available for guests.
Winter Season:
Closed for the Season November 1st - May 1st!
We are NOT booking tours during the CLOSED Winter Season.
We are very excited to see you all as guests and hope to bring you fun, history and enhance your cave experience while you’re here at Crystal Lake Cave!
Discover Crystal Lake Cave
Crystal Lake Cave is a popular tourist attraction located in Dubuque, Iowa. It is a natural limestone cave known for its stunning underground formations and unique geological features. It is situated in Dubuque County, approximately 4 miles south of the Dubuque city center.
The cave was formed millions of years ago through the slow dissolution of limestone by groundwater. Over time, this process created an intricate network of passages, chambers, and stalactites/stalagmites that make it an interesting underground destination.
The cave was discovered by miners in the late 19th century and has been a tourist attraction since the early 20th century.
It is known for its unique and delicate stalactites, stalagmites, helictites (twisted formations), and other cave formations. These formations are illuminated with lighting to enhance their beauty during tours.