Off the Beaten Path in Dubuque
Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Dubuque attractions, posted by real travelers and locals.
Local Time 6:08 am Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Dubuque Map
Dubuque Map
on August 13, 2006
The cave was discovered in 1868 when miners drilled 40 feet into the ground searching for lead. They found little of the metal they sought, although rich veins are nearby. But instead in this particular spot they discovered a beautiful cavern. The cave has no known natural entrance, although an occasional bat inside the cave indicates that there must be at least a small natural opening somewhere.
In 1932, the late Bernard Markus, (one of the original lead miners), opened the cave to the public, naming it Crystal Lake Cave. The name is a bit misleading, since the so called "lake" is very small. However, we still enjoyed exploring the cave. There are no large rooms on the tour. Instead you will walk through a maze of narrow passages. I frequently had to duck to keep from hitting my head on the ceiling, and some of the passages required me to turn sideways to negotiate them. This may not be the best cave for people with claustrophobia.
Promoters call Crystal Lake Cave a "Matchless wonder." That's an optimistic description since Crystal Lake Cave is surpassed by many other caves I have toured. Still there are several interesting formations and we thought it was worth the visit.
Admission:
Adults - $10
Chilren 4-11 - $5
Children under 4 - Free
Senior Citizen - 10% off
The cave is open daily in season and closed in winter. For current operating hours see the website below.
on August 26, 2002
