Cave of the Mounds


Useful Information

Location: Blue Mounds. 32 km west of Madison off Hwys 18-151.
Open: 15-MAR to Memorial Day Mon-Sat 10-16, tour on the hour, Sat, Sun 9-17, tour every half hour.
Memorial Day to Labor Day daily 9-19, tour every 15 min.
Labor Day to 15-NOV Mon-Sat 10-16, tour on the hour, Sat, Sun 9-17, tour every half hour.
16-NOV to 14-MAR Sat, Sun 10-16, tour on the hour.
[2007]
Fee: Adults USD 14, Children (4-12) USD 7, Children (0-3) free.
Groups (20+): Adults $9, Children (13-18) $5.50, Children: (5-12) $4.50.
[2007]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave Ordovician limestone
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: T=10 °C.
Guided tours: D=60 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Cave of the Mounds, Brigham Farm, P.O. Box 148, Blue Mounds, WI 53517, Tel. +1-608-437-3038. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

04-AUG-1939 discovered during quarry works.
MAY-1940 opened to the visitors.
1988 the cave was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Description

Cave of the Mounds is named after two hills called the Blue Mounds. It is located inside the southern slope of the East Mound. Both hills consist of Ordovician galena dolomite. Like many karst caves, the cave has formed along a major crack, which can be seen throughout the cave.

The cave has speleothems like dripstones, curtains, lily pads and some helictites. A beautiful but rare speleothem found here, are the cave pearls.

The Ordovician limestone of this area is called galena dolomite, because of the ore deposits found here. Galena is a lead ore, which was mined in the area around the cave. The cave was discovered during mining operations, as a part of the cave was opened by a blast.