Cool Group Tours at Affordable Prices

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.

25 people or more is required for the group rate.

School Tours

Student – $11.00 | Adult – $20.00
Every 15 students you will receive 1 escort for free. A school CANNOT have more adults than students for this rate.

Group Tours

Please fill out the form to receive a quote.
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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.

Add Gem Mining!

Gem Mining – $5.00 Per Bag

Experience the excitement of uncovering hidden treasures with our 2 lb Gem Mining Bag! Pour your bag of authentic mining “rough” into the running water of our sluice and use your screen tray to sift away the dirt. As the water washes over your tray, you’ll reveal a sparkling mix of colorful gems and minerals – just like real prospectors!

Pizza – $8.00 Per Person
  • Includes: 2 Slices of Cheese Pizza – Fruit, Soda, Pink Lemonade, or Fruit Punch

Pizza – $8.00 Per Person
  • Includes: 2 Slices of Cheese Pizza – Fruit, Soda, Pink Lemonade, or Fruit Punch
Sandwich – $12.00 Per Person
  • Choice of: Turkey & Cheese, Ham & Cheese or Peanut Butter & Jelly
  • Includes: Chips and Cookie, Soda, Pink Lemonade, or Fruit Punch
LUNCH IN THE CAFÉ DINING ROOM
(35 person minimum) Buffet options cannot be mixed.
Sandwich Buffet – $19.00 Per Person
  • Includes: A variety of fresh cut Meats and Cheeses
  • Choice of Tuna or Chicken Salad
  • Rolls and Breads Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles, and Condiments, Chips

Cole Slaw, Macaroni Salad, Pasta Salad or Potato Salad
Water station with choice of: Soda, Lemonade, or Fruit Punch

Chef’s choice Cookie or Brownie Platter

 

  • Pizza Buffet – $14.00 Per Person
  • With Wings $20.00 Per Person
    Includes: Tossed Salad with Italian and Ranch Dressing. Assortment of Cheese and Pepperoni Pizzas, and Chicken Wings
    Water station with choice of:
    Soda, Lemonade, or Fruit Punch
    Chef’s choice Cookie or Brownie Platter

 

  • Baked Ziti Buffet – $18.00 Per Person
    Includes: Tossed Salad with Italian and Ranch Dressing
    Baked Ziti with Homemade Meatballs, and Fresh Italian Bread
    Water station with choice of: Soda, Lemonade, or Fruit Punch
    Chef’s choice Cookie or Brownie Platter

 

PLEASE NOTE: A service charge of 20% will be added to the final bill as well as 8% New York State sales tax. NYS sales tax only can be omitted by presenting a current tax exempt certificate.

The above options do not have taxes included to the prices.

Our Experienced Guides Will Teach

At Howe Caverns, Your Students Will Learn 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!

A $250 deposit for school groups are required to confirm the reservation.
This deposit is prepaid and non-refundable. Payment by credit card is required to hold the reservation. Group reservations must be made no later than 5 days in advance with our business office. 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: Discounted group rates are NOT valid on the weekends*

We want to be transparent about an important update to our group tour reservation policy and explain why it’s necessary!
Group tours at Howe Caverns require significant advance planning. Each reservation involves securing specific tour times, scheduling guides, adjusting staffing levels, and managing overall cavern capacity to ensure every group has a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. A minimum of 25 people is required to qualify for the group rate, allowing these resources to be allocated efficiently and fairly.
For school groups, a $250 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. This policy was implemented after we experienced substantial financial losses last year due to school groups canceling at the last minute for a variety of reasons. While we understand that unforeseen circumstances can occur, late cancellations directly impact our operations, limit our ability to accommodate other visitors, and create unavoidable staffing and operational costs.
For all other groups, full payment is required at the time of reservation and is non-refundable.
Effective January 1, 2026, this policy applies to all groups that have not yet visited, regardless of when the reservation was originally made. No group will be placed on our calendar until the required non-refundable deposit or full payment has been received.
We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our group leaders and educators. These policies allow us to operate responsibly, sustainably, and with the level of care and professionalism expected at Howe Caverns.

The deposit ensures a firm commitment and allows us to confidently dedicate the necessary time, staff, and resources to each group. It also helps us maintain smooth operations, fair pricing, and the high-quality educational experiences our guests expect.

(518) 296-8900

Pricing

Lodging

History & Science

Directions

All ticket sales are nonrefundable and may not be exchanged.

Please note that we do not respond to general inquiries, or handle motel and ticket reservations or group bookings via email or Facebook messenger.
Motel and ticket reservations can be made online at https://www.howecaverns.com.

Group bookings of 25 guests or more must be made by calling our reservation team at 518-296-8900, available Monday–Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

We look forward to welcoming you to Howe Caverns!

Right to Refuse Service: For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at our discretion. The includes, but is not limited to, individuals who exhibit disruptive, unsafe, disrespectful behavior, or appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or those who do not comply with the tour guidelines and staff instructions. Guests must be physically capable of completing the tour and must follow all posted rules and verbal directions. No refunds will be issued in cases where service was refused for any of the above reasons. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.