Spelunking Tours
Looking for the ultimate adventure? You’ve just found it. At Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, our Expedition Tour is not your average stroll through a cavern — it’s a full-on, muddy, crawling, climbing, adrenaline-pumping journey into the fascinating and beautiful depths of the earth.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a geo-science enthusiast , or just really love saying the word “spelunking,” this tour is the most rugged and exciting way to experience cave exploration in Colorado Springs. Strap on your helmet, fire up your headlamp, and get ready to discover what it really means to go caving in Colorado!
Dive Into the Depths on the Expedition Tour!
Think you’ve got what it takes to become a real-life Caver? It’s time to leave the paved paths behind and go belly-down into the cave entrance on our Expedition Tour — the most fun and challenging cave tour in Colorado Springs!
This tour isn’t an easy guided walking tour, and isn’t for everyone. You will walk upright during a lot of the tour, however it is also a muddy, thrilling, crawl-on-your-hands-and-knees kind of journey where narrow tunnels are tight, the demands on your body and mind are challenging, and the bragging rights are very real. With our tour guides, you’ll navigate nearly a mile of dark, winding, undeveloped, and constantly forming caverns — with no lights, or handrails, just you, your headlamp, and the thrill of discovery.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a spelunking tour caving experience in Colorado, this is the real deal.
What’s This Tour All About?
The Expedition Tour is a 2.5 to 3-hour guided experience that dives deep (literally) into the heart of cavern system BENEATH Cave of the Winds. During this caving tour, you’ll:
- Squeeze through narrow passages
- Climb up and down ladders and ropes
- Crawl through wet, muddy cave passages
- Trek across uneven terrain with sheer drop-offs
- Learn about basic caving skills, cave formation, biospeleology, and cave history
You’ll also get schooled in cave science, geology, and underground wildlife..
This is one of the most adventurous Colorado cave tours you’ll find, and it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for a unique experience packed with science, sweat, and some seriously good dirt — you’ve found it.
Is the Expedition Tour Right for You?
This tour isn’t for everyone, but if you’re an adventure junkie, outdoor enthusiast, or someone who’s looking to do something new, unique, challenging and rewarding in Colorado, then keep reading.
You can handle the Expedition Tour if:
- You’re at least 13 years old
- You’re in decent physical shape
- You can crawl, climb, squat, and shimmy for a few minutes at time. You’ll be walking upright a lot of the time
- You’re okay with dark spaces and heights
- You don’t mind getting very muddy.
Skip this one if:
- You’re pregnant or may be pregnant
- You have heart, respiratory, knee, or back problems
- Tight spaces or open ledges give you the heebie-jeebies (smallest passageway is 18″ wide, 24″ tall)
We love a good adventure, but we love your safety even more. Know your limits. If this tour isn’t right for you, check out one of our other epic experiences.
What to Bring
This isn’t a “show up in sandals and wing it” kind of tour. Here’s what you’ll need to bring for your underground trek:
Required:
- A full change of clean clothes (trust us) to leave in
- A plastic bag to put your muddy clothes in
- An extra pair of shoes
- Work gloves
- Long-sleeve shirt and long pants that can get dirty (and possibly ruined)
- Closed-toed, sturdy shoes — no flip-flops or fashion boots
We provide caving gear:
- Helmet
- Headlamp
- A fearless tour guide who knows the cave system like the back of their (muddy) hand
Booking Details (AKA Lock in Your Spot)
Due to the limited space and intense nature of this tour, online reservations are required. We cannot stress this enough — you must book ahead!
- Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Minimum age requirement: 13 (with a participating adult for guests under 18)
- Tour group size: Small groups only — keeps things safe and intimate
- Walk-ins? Nope. This tour is too epic for last-minute drop-ins.
Ready to take on one of the most unforgettable spelunking adventures in Colorado? Don’t wait — these spots fill up fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oh yes. If you come out clean, you did it wrong. This is a get-down-and-dirty kind of adventure tour!
Nope! This is a guided tour designed for first-time cavers and seasoned thrill-seekers alike. Your guide will show you the ropes — literally and help you with all obstacles and terrain
This tour involves navigating tight spots and some exposure to some high ledges. If that sounds like a no-go, we recommend one of our other tours such as our Discovery tour or Haunted Lantern tour.
We strongly suggest leaving valuables behind. Between the mud, water, and climbing, your tech gear might not make it out of the cave walls alive.
Nope — once you’re in, you’re in. Use the facilities before you suit up!
You bet it is. This is our top-tier underground experience — perfect for those looking for the best caving adventure in Colorado.
Dare to Go Deep?
If you’re looking for an unforgettable Colorado Springs cave tour, the Expedition Tour is the muddy, adrenaline-pumping adventure you’ve been waiting for. Crawl into the unknown, conquer your fears, and come out with a story that’s anything but ordinary.
Elevate your tour
Add the Pioneer Package
Complete your adventure above ground! The Pioneer Package includes high-adrenaline activities like the Wind Walker Challenge Course, Bat-a-Pult Zip Line, the Cliff Hanger Climbing Wall and Geronimo’s Jump! A great way to balance out the spooky vibes with a little fun in the sun!
FAQs
The historic lantern tour is 90 minutes. Make sure to arrive 30 minutes before your tour time to check in, snack, use the ‘facilities’ (as none are in the cave) and ensure you’re ready for a great time! Is the Haunted Lantern Tour suitable for children?
Children 8 and older are permitted, due to the spooky nature of the tour. For more family-friendly tours, check out our Discovery cave tour led by expert guides that skip the chilling stories.
We recommend closed-toe shoes and a light jacket due to cooler cave temperatures of 54 degrees.
These Colorado ghost tours are designed to be thrilling and spooky, with ghost stories and dark passageways, dimly lit by only the lanterns that tour participants carry.
Due to uneven surfaces and narrow tunnels of the location, the Haunted Lantern Tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Yes, simply check out our ticketing calendar. During the month of October we extend the Haunted Lantern Tour into the “Director’s Cut”, a longer, spookier tour with more tales of terror!
Absolutely! We offer a 10% discount for Active Duty and Veterans on all tours.
Book Your Tour Today!
Travel down into the darkness and experience Colorado’s hottest haunt! Book your tickets now for the most spooky and unforgettable tour.
The Director’s Cut Haunted Lantern Tour
See You Next October!
For the ultimate Halloween thrill, experience the Director’s Cut of our Haunted Lantern Tour, taking horror to cinematic heights. This extended 2-hour haunted cave tour delivers scenes straight out of a horror movie with more historical hysteria, and tales of terror. Brace yourself for dimly lit paths, extra ghost stories, and hair-raising encounters in the eerie atmosphere of our real cave. The Director’s Cut brings you closer than ever to the haunting legends that make up the folklore and history of the Manitou Grands Caverns. Because it is so scary only ages 13 and up are allowed. Dates: Available October 4th – 31st, starting at 6:00 p.m.
- Age Requirement: Recommended for ages 13 and up due to scarier content
- Tickets: $45 per adult (ages 13+)
Exclusive Features:
Extra ghost stories, extended walking and more treks into the unknown darkness… Look out for director-inspired spine-tingling moments, and horror-movie scenes that make you the main character in a living horror double feature! Make this October memorable by reserving your tickets in advance – space is limited, and these special tours fill fast!
Feel like an actor in a horror movie as you navigate the haunted depths of Colorado’s spookiest cave. and make this next October memorable by reserving your tickets early – space is limited, and these tours fill fast!