Events

Blacklight Tour

May 5th at 4:15 PM

We will have a Guided Black Light Tour with one of our Cave Educators.

Unique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light.

You will learn about ultraviolet light, fluorescence, and see the speleothems GLOW! The tour price includes a black light rental and a guided tour of Cave of the Mounds.

Tickets are non-refundable. Please be aware, that tours are held in the dark which may be inappropriate for very young children.

Tickets are $36.99 

Tickets available on April 4th, 2023

Book Signing with Danelle Gay

May 7th from 1 PM to 3 PM

Cave of the Mounds is featured in “100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Before You Die” by Dannelle Gay. Get your copy at Cave of the Mounds and meet Dannelle Gay on May 7th, 2023.

Cave of the Mounds is having an author-signing event with Dannelle Gay. Wisconsin native and travel enthusiast Dannelle Gay brings to life the must-visit destinations in the state of Wisconsin. In her new guidebook, Dannelle curates a list of one hundred unique attractions, museums, restaurants, and festivals that you simply can’t miss during your next adventure. We feel honored that she has featured Cave of the Mounds on the list. Stop by on May 7th, 2023 between 1 PM and 3 PM to meet the author, get a signature, and read this new book!

This is a free event.

Dannelle’s Book Signing Events

Blacklight Tour

June 4, 9, 18, 23, 2023, at 4:30 PM

We will have a Guided Black Light Tour with one of our Cave Educators.

Unique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light.

You will learn about ultraviolet light, fluorescence, and see the speleothems GLOW! The tour price includes a black light rental and a guided tour of Cave of the Mounds.

Tickets are non-refundable. Please be aware, that tours are held in the dark which may be inappropriate for very young children.

Tickets available May 9th, 2023.

Lecture Series: Unearthing the Driftless

Discover the Driftless Area with its rich history, unique geologic features, and the people in this area. Proceeds of this event will go towards the Cave of the Mounds Restoration Area.

The Driftless Area is the portion of Wisconsin that was never covered by glaciers. This area has a Karst Landscape with sinkholes, disappearing streams, and caves. There is so much that has happened on this land in the last couple of million years that have shaped the state of Wisconsin both geologically and historically. Blue Mounds was once one of the biggest cities. Why was that? What happened that changed that? What drew people to this region? How did it impact the beginning of Wisconsin?

Come to our Historic Brigham Farm and learn about the many ways people are exploring, studying, and protecting the Driftless Area. 

$5 per person. The proceeds go to the preservation of our restoration area.

June 8th, 2023 at 5 PM – Listen to a member of the University of Wisconsin GeoScience Department. They will talk about the scientific studies done here at Cave of the Mounds through their department.

June 22nd, 2023 at 5 PM – – We will have our on-staff geologists go through the geology of the area including the geology, speleology, and more. They can answer questions you might have about how the landscape has changed over the years.

*This event is after hours. The cave and gift shop will be closed during the presentation. We recommend coming beforehand to enjoy those experiences that are not included in the $5 admission.

Cave After Dark: Summer Soiree

June 24, 2023, Saturday

Join us for a summer party in the Prairie Garden and Underground! Discover fun inside the cave at your own pace and enjoy the subterranean ambiance while listening to live music! Make the most of your summer with this rare event of exploring the Driftless Area above and below ground. Listen to local artists and enjoy local brews. A specialty cocktail will also be available to celebrate the summer. 

Cave After Dark is an Adults-Only Event. Each event includes an after-hours cave experience, a free beverage, and live music. Our bar will be open during the event and local cheese boards will be available for sale. These events typically sell out so purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended. This event will take place RAIN or SHINE. We have the best rainy-day venue in Wisconsin – the Cave!

Make it a weekend trip with a visit to Mount Horeb, the Troll Capital of the World. Stay at the GrandStay Hoel in Mount Horeb. Use the code CAVE when booking to receive a 10% discount at the hotel.

More information will be announced closer to the event. Stay tuned for more!

Tickets are available NOW! $44.99 per ticket. This includes an after-hours cave experience, a free beverage, live music, and more!

Lantern Tours

July 9, 14, 23, 28, 2023, at 4:30 PM

Discover the cave like the first explorers. Walk through the cave using only lanterns and flashlights. Feel as though you are one of the first people to ever see the cave. 

Cave of the Mounds was accidentally discovered during a quarry blast. The first who entered were quarry workers, a farmer, and a 17-year-old boy. They were the first to ever lay eyes on the cave as there are no natural entrances. No animal or human had ever seen the cave until 1939.

Today there are more than 400 known caves in the state of Wisconsin but often found in people’s backyards like this one. In fact, cave explorers find hundreds of caves in America each year!

Get a glimpse into the spelunking world! 

Tickets are $36.99.

Tickets available June 6th, 2023.

Lecture Series: Unearthing the Driftless

Discover the Driftless Area with its rich history, unique geologic features, and the people in this area. Proceeds of this event will go towards the Cave of the Mounds Restoration Area.

The Driftless Area is the portion of Wisconsin that was never covered by glaciers. This area has a Karst Landscape with sinkholes, disappearing streams, and caves. There is so much that has happened on this land in the last couple of million years that have shaped the state of Wisconsin both geologically and historically. Blue Mounds was once one of the biggest cities. Why was that? What happened that changed that? What drew people to this region? How did it impact the beginning of Wisconsin?

Come to our Historic Brigham Farm and learn about the many ways people are exploring, studying, and protecting the Driftless Area. 

$5 per person. The proceeds go to the preservation of our restoration area.

July 20th, 2023 at 5 PM – – From Diggings to Discovery, learn about the history of the area from lead miners to the Brigham Quarry to the cave discovery from our on-staff historian. See what key moments have defined everywhere from Wisconsin becoming a state to the Blue Mounds community.

*This event is after hours. The cave and gift shop will be closed during the presentation. We recommend coming beforehand to enjoy those experiences that are not included in the $5 admission.

Discovery Days

July 31, 2023 – August 4, 2023, Monday – Friday

Cave of the Mounds was discovered on August 4, 1939. Come celebrate our 83rd anniversary with a weekend packed with family fun!

Special Events in the Cave including a special flashlight experience like the first explorers in the cave. History Walks across our property and the Historic Brigham Farm will be open with historic displays available for free!

More activities will be announced closer to the event. Stay tuned for more!

Tickets available July 4th, 2023.

Blacklight Tour

August 6, 11, 20, 25, 2023, at 4:30 PM

We will have a Guided Black Light Tour with one of our Cave Educators.

Unique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light.

You will learn about ultraviolet light, fluorescence, and see the speleothems GLOW! The tour price includes a black light rental and a guided tour of Cave of the Mounds.

Tickets are non-refundable. Please be aware, that tours are held in the dark which may be inappropriate for very young children.

Tickets are $36.99.

Tickets available July 4th, 2023.

TBD