While researching the trip between Yellowstone and Glacier NPs, the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park popped up. It was originally designated a National Monument in 1908 after the land was donated by the Union Pacific railroad. Due to budget limitations, the park was not developed by the federal government. Sam Morrison, the original developer of the caverns before losing aownership court case to the railroad, continued to run illegal tours of the caverns until 1932 when he passed away. With the depression in full swing in 1932, the federal government divested several parks to state governments, Lewis and Clark Caverns was turned over to the Montana State Government to become the first State Park in Montana. From 1935 – 1942, the CCC made improvements to the roads, facilities and the trails and lighting through the caverns. The caverns opened to the public in 1942 and are the most visited State Park in Montana (60,000 people per year).
The caverns were formed 2-3 million years ago. The cave is formed from 1400 foot thick limestone that was formed from a shallow sea 330 million years ago. The tour was a work out! These caverns were not like Carlsbad Caverns where you can stroll along. There were several hundred stairs up and down and places where you basically had to crawl or duck walk or slide down to get through. That was after a fairly steep climb outside to get to the upper entrance. There were two species of bats that were on the ceiling at the entrance to the cave. All in all, it was an interesting tour, but you better be in shape and limber if you take it!
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| Column in Lewis and Clark Caverns |
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| View from the upper entrance to the cavern |
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Flow Stone in Lewis and Clark Caverns
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