SIGNATURE ROCK DISCOVERY TOUR

ADVENTURE TOUR

LANTERN TOUR

New York State's Second Most Visited Natural Attraction!
New York State's Second Most Visited Natural Attraction!
Lester Howe

HISTORY

New York State's Second Most Visited Natural Attraction!

Cool Tours at Affordable Prices

Whether you live in Upstate NY, are merely driving through, or are looking for a fun affordable family vacation, Howe Caverns is one of the Upstate NY attractions you don’t want to miss.
Each tour of Howe Caverns starts with a 156 ft descent below the earth’s surface…

Your journey winds through limestone corridors, cavernous galleries, under massive boulders, to a subterranean riverbed carved over countless millennia. Deep in the cave, solid rock appears fluid: creating strange formations, flowing sheets and dripping stalactites. Mysterious grottos lead off into distant, unexplored passages. Shadows hide secrets in every crack and crevice. The path twists and turns ever downward to the glassy surface of an underground lake that trails off into the absolute darkness of the cave’s Eastern Terminus… this is the Howe Caverns experience.

Group reservations must be made no later than 5 days in advance with our business office. Please call 518 296-8900

Groups are NOT permitted to consume food on our property unless it is purchased through the Howe Caverns Café.

Groups that do not abide by our policy will be asked to leave property.

*Please note: other than Scout Groups, discounted group rates are NOT valid on the weekends*

School Tour

Groups of 25 or More, Reservations Required

  • If seeing is believing, learning is doing. That’s why fun field trips continue to be an integral part of a student’s learning experience. If your students are learning about geology, natural history, regional history or earth science, a field trip to Howe Caverns is the perfect complement to your classroom curriculum. And it’s one field trip they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

    At Howe Caverns, our experienced guides will teach your students about:

    • Sedimentation
    • Calcification
    • Erosion
    • Geologic evolution
    • Stalagmites and Stalactites
    • Prehistoric seas
    • Continental upheaval
    • The power of time and water

    Your students’ amazing learning experience begins when they descend 156 feet below the Earth’s surface and step out of the elevator into a six million year old cavern, carved by a subterranean river that continues to sculpt the cave today. During the field trip, they will see countless layers of sedimentary limestone, the floor of an ancient sea, and navigate the 500 foot serpentine passage known as the Winding Way, one of the world’s best examples of underground water erosion.

    Simply put . . . a field trip to Howe Caverns exposes students to aspects of the natural world they simply can’t experience anywhere else. So whether you’re teaching a classroom of students or homeschooling your own, Howe Caverns is the fun field trip you don’t want your students to miss!

Scout Groups

Scouting is about learning new things, having outdoor experiences, and working together as a troop. Howe Caverns gives scouts an opportunity to do all that and more. In addition to learning about pre-historic seas, sedimentation and the power of erosion, boy scouts can participate in our scavenger hunt to earn a Howe Caverns patch.

Your scouts’ amazing learning experience begins when they descend 156 feet below the Earth’s surface and step out of the elevator into a six million year old cavern, carved by a subterranean river that continues to sculpt the cave today. During this fun field trip, they will see countless layers of sedimentary limestone, the floor of an ancient sea, and navigate the 500 foot serpentine passage known as the Winding Way, one of the world’s best examples of underground water erosion.

Simply put… a field trip to Howe Caverns exposes scouts to aspects of the natural world they simply can’t experience anywhere else. So when you’re planning your scout activities, make sure you include a fun field trip to Howe Caverns. It’s one of those scout activities they’ll remember for the rest of their lives!
Group Rates and Reservations

  • Tax-exempt rates are available with advance reservation when one person purchases all tickets for the group and presents a valid tax-exempt certificate at time of purchase.
  • Group reservations are taken Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Simply call 518-296-8900 to book your group.
  • If you are interested in having a meal while you’re here check out our Group Lunch Menu options.
  • Fudge Fundraiser Program Need assistance in funding your group trip? Check out a great opportunity.
  • If you opt to do the scavenger hunt, please let your reservationist know at the time you make your reservation. Badges are ordered and paid for through the Leatherstocking Council by scout leaders.

Motorcoach Groups

Howe Caverns is the perfect stop for your tour group, conveniently located between Albany and Cooperstown. We invite you to take our Traditional Tour, which lasts 90 minutes. Your guide will lead you through the main cavern, where you will learn about our spectacular limestone formations and take a short boat ride on the underground Lake of Venus.

After your tour, visit our Cafe for a delicious lunch. Be sure not to miss our gift and sweet shops for some souvenirs and our world famous fudge.

We offer group rates.

Group reservations are required and can be placed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Call 518-296-8900 to book.

We also gladly welcome senior groups!

Senior Groups

Come visit by motorcoach or carpool with your organization. Take the Traditional Tour, where you’ll comfortably and safely explore this underground wonder. If you’re unable to take the walking tour, you can watch our tour video in high definition from the comfort of our visitor center. After your tour, share a bite to eat with your friends at our Café with breathtaking views of the Schoharie Valley and the Helderberg Plateau beyond. Pick up homemade fudge, truffles and cave aged cheese in our famous Sweet Shop. And find the perfect travel memento in our expanded Gift Shop.

Senior Group Rates

We offer group rates. Group reservations are required and can be placed Monday through Friday, 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Call 518-296-8900 to book.

Plan Your Trip Today!

CLICK ON THE CALENDAR

518 296-8900

Traditional Cave Tours

Whether you live in New York, want to take a day trip, or are looking for a fun affordable overnight stay, Howe Caverns is one of the most exciting NYS natural attractions. On your journey you will wind through limestone corridors, pass through cavernous galleries, walk under massive boulders, and take a serene boat ride on a subterranean riverbed carved over countless millennia. The cave is 52°F (11°C) so a jacket or sweatshirt and closed-toed comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Flip flops are NOT permitted in the cave. The cave tour consists of a 1.25 mile walk with a 0.25 mile boat ride. There are 139 stairs throughout the tour.

Get ready to experience the most immersive escape rooms in the Capital Region. 

“The Cave” is the first of three high-tech escape rooms to open at Howe Caverns.
Do you think YOU know HOWE TO ESCAPE!?

The Ultra-Max penitentiary known as “The Cave” houses the most notorious criminal geniuses in the country. Built 15 stories underground, The Cave has the latest in cutting-edge escape deterrent technology deployed in the facility. Many infamous individuals have spent the waning years of their lives behind its triple-reinforced cell walls and state-of-the-art security systems. This distinguished clientele has resulted in multiple escape attempts, but none have been successful… until now! A motley crew of the criminal elite, led by maniacal mastermind, Stu “The Flu” Galopso, have done the impossible and breached the confines of their containment sector. Society’s most dangerous and unpredictable fugitives are now at large, and only YOU can stop them!

Escape Room By Reservation Only

All ticket sales are nonrefundable, non-transferable, and may not be exchanged.

Contact Us

(518) 296-8900