Looking to add some thrill to your next trip? Explore the world beneath your feet with caving and spelunking, two unforgettable ways to experience the natural wonders of underground caves. Whether you’re a seasoned caving adventurer or a family searching for fun activities, these activities offer something for everyone. 

And what better place to start your journey than at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Springs? From beginner-friendly walking tours to wild, haunted paranormal and ghost tours, to muddy spelunking crawls, there are thrills for everyone and all ages! All tours have experienced, helpful, and well-trained guides who will walk, or crawl you through everything you need to know about adventures beneath the surface, making your caving experience both wonderful and memorable for any adventure level you choose.

Caving vs. Spelunking: What’s the Difference?

Spelunking, the recreational sport of exploring caves, was once the popular term to describe cave exploration. However, over time, the term “caving” has become the preferred and more widely accepted term. While the two words are often used interchangeably, they carry slightly different connotations.

What Is Spelunking?

Spelunking typically refers to the recreational exploration of caves by hobbyists. It’s a term often associated with casual adventurers who enjoy navigating these underground spaces.

However, the term “spelunking” has largely fallen out of favor. Today, enthusiasts prefer the term “caving,” which reflects a deeper commitment to the extreme sport.

What Is Caving?

Caving is the exploration of natural or artificial caverns and can range from casual strolls through family-friendly caves with paved paths to intense expeditions into remote cave systems. Like rock climbing, caving can be as adventurous as you want it to be. For some, it’s about marveling at the beauty of these rock formations on a guided tour. For other experienced cavers, it’s about navigating narrow tunnels, rappelling into vertical caves, and uncovering uncharted cave passages.

Beyond adventure, some cave explorers pursue scientific study, using caves to learn about geology, hydrology, and unique ecosystems.

What’s the Difference

While the terms are used interchangeably, the main difference between caving and spelunking is in the level of expertise. Caving typically refers to experienced exploration with advanced techniques and safety measures, while spelunking is more casual and ideal for hobbyists and beginners.

Cave of the Winds: Adventures for All Levels

Whether you call it caving or spelunking, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park offers adventures for everyone. With family-friendly walking tours, eerie lantern-lit haunted tours, and adrenaline-pumping caving tours, there’s a perfect experience for every skill level.

Caving Gear Checklist: What to Bring on Your Spelunking Adventure

Proper preparation is the key to making your caving and spelunking adventure safe. Exploring underground caves means stepping into a semi-predictable environment. Having the right gear not only ensures your safety but also allows you to fully enjoy the experience. Whether you’re a first-time spelunker or an experienced caver, here’s what we suggest you bring:

• Headlamp: Essential for visibility in dark cave systems.
• Sturdy, Closed-Toe Shoes: To navigate slippery rocks, muddy paths, and uneven terrain.
• Gloves: To protect your hands while climbing and crawling.
• Handheld Flashlight: A secondary light source in case your headlamp fails.
• Extra Batteries: Or enough to last for 2 hours..
• Durable Clothing: Wear durable, moisture-wicking clothing you don’t mind getting muddy or wet.
• Change of clothes and garbage bag: You’ll want to change your muddy clothes and put them in a bag so you don’t dirty your car.
• We will provide your Helmet: First line of defense against bumps from low ceilings and cave walls.

At Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, we make it easy! We provide essential equipment like helmets on our guided Expedition/spelunking tours. All you need to do is dress appropriately and pack a sense of adventure!

Find Out What to Bring for Each Tour!

Beginner Tips for a Successful Caving and Spelunking Experience

With the right preparation, caving adventures can be a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience. Here are some tips to help beginners make the most of their journey into the depths:

#1 Started with a walking tour

For your first experience, a guided tour is the best way to explore a cave. At Cave of the Winds, our expert guides will lead you through the cave, while sharing fascinating insights about its history and geology. Walking tours like the Discovery Tour are perfect for beginners, offering a chance to get comfortable with cave exploration.

#2 Dress for the Environment

Cave of the Winds, the Manitou Grands, and the Lowers where all of our tours take place are 54 degrees all year, no matter the temperature or weather outside. The Lowers, where our Expedition/spelunking tours take you are damp, muddy, and very humid, so wearing the right clothing is essential.

What to Wear on the Discovery and Haunted Lantern Tours: 

• Comfortable, durable clothes and possibly a light jacket, sweatshirt, or hoodie. You’ll experience enough cardio that you’ll be warm and may want to take your jacket off and tie it around your waist. 
• Sturdy, closed-toed shoes with good grip.
• Layers to stay warm, as temperatures in caves can be much cooler than outside.

What to Wear on the Expedition/spelunking Tour:

• Comfortable, long-sleeve shirt and durable pants you don’t mind getting dirty and muddy.
• Sturdy, closed-toed shoes with good, gripping, traction soles because you will be walking on slippery mud.
• Clothing layers that you can take off and put back on as your physical effort changes and you get hot and cool.
• Gloves! Gloves! Gloves! We recommend the >$5 work gloves available at most hardware stores.
• Headlamp or flashlight. We recommend a camping-type headlamp rather than a flashlight because your hands will be busy holding ropes, rocks, stairs ,and other things, making holding a flashlight difficult.

#3 Bring the Essentials

 It’s important to be prepared for the Discovery & Haunted Lantern walking tours:

• Stay hydrated with plastic bottled water. Water is the only liquid allowed in the caves.
• Light jacket, or sweatshirt.
• Comfy, rugged, closed-toed walking shoes. Cross training & tennis shoes are fine.
• A camera for the Discovery scientific tour. 

For the Expedition/spelunking tour pack a fanny pack with:

• A flashlight or headlamp.Extra batteries to avoid being left in the dark.
• Plastic bottled water to stay hydrated, but avoid leaving any trash behind.
• Gloves for protecting your hands while navigating rough surfaces.

#4 Follow Safety Guidelines

Always follow the safety rules and procedures provided by your tour guide. Stay on marked paths, avoid touching any parts of the cave, and listen to instructions carefully. These guidelines ensure your safety and help preserve the cave for future explorers.

#5 Know Your Limits

Caving offers different levels of difficulty, so choose an experience that matches your fitness level and comfort zone. If you’re unsure, start with an easy tour like the Discovery Tour before progressing to more challenging options like the Expedition Tour.

#6 Respect the Cave Environment

Caves are delicate ecosystems that have been forming for millions of years. 

Protect their beauty by minimizing your impact:

• Avoid touching stalactites and stalagmites, as oils from your skin will damage them.
• Stick to designated paths and areas to prevent harm to the cave’s fragile environment.
• Learn about white-nose syndrome and follow steps to protect bats and other cave-dwelling creatures.

At Cave of the Winds, our guides ensure that all tours are conducted responsibly, with an emphasis on conservation and safety.

7. Stay Curious and Have Fun

Caving is an incredible opportunity to explore a hidden world and learn something new. Embrace the adventure, ask questions, and take in the beauty around you. With the right mindset, your first caving experience can be the start of a lifelong passion for exploration.

Different Levels of Caving Adventures

One of the best things about caving is that it’s adaptable to all ages and abilities. At Cave of the Winds, we’ve designed our tours to accommodate explorers of every experience level. 

Here are three distinct adventures to suit every kind of adventurer:

1. Discovery Tour

• Perfect For: Families and first-time explorers.
• What to Expect: A 45–60 minute guided walking tour with well-lit, paved floor, and handrails through stunning cave chambers. Learn about the cave’s history and geology as you view beautiful rock and cave formations.

2. Haunted Lantern Tour

• Perfect For: Thrill-seekers, fans of ghosts, and unexplainable stories of the paranormal. Slightly moderate physical ability, as the first and last 250 feet of the cave is barely more than 4 feet high and requires bending at the waist with a good leg workout! 
• What to Expect: A 90-minute journey through dark tunnels, illuminated only by the lanterns your group carries. Hear eerie tales and legends of the Manitou Grand Caverns as you navigate narrow passageways, dark tunnels, and grand caverns!

3. Expedition Tour

• Perfect For: Medium physical ability and adventurers seeking a challenge.
• What to Expect: A 2.5–3 hour cave tour involving walking, crawling, climbing, and navigating muddy passages. Learn basic caving skills while exploring raw, untouched sections of the cave.
• Note: This tour is not permitted for children under 13 or individuals with certain medical conditions. It’s designed for those ready to push their limits.

Cave of the Winds: Begin Your Underground Adventure Today!

At Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, there’s an adventure for everyone. Whether you’re a family looking for a fun and educational guided tour or a thrill-seeker ready to tackle a wild cave exploration, we offer experiences for every skill level.

For those new to caving, we make it easy to step into this exciting activity with confidence. Our tours are designed to be safe, educational, and unforgettable, ensuring that your first journey underground is as enjoyable as possible.

There’s no shortage of excitement at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park! Book your guided tour today and start your unforgettable adventure!