The Crystal Lake Cave is one of the most popular attractions in Iowa and is also described as the longest existing ?show? cavern in the state. The cave also has an interesting history, with its unintentional discovery in 1868. Back then, miners had managed to dig 40 feet below the ground in hopes of finding gold and other precious metals or gems. What they found instead was a cave. It would only be in 1932, however, that the cave would be open to the public and welcome them with organized walking tours.

Walking tours take about thirty to forty-five minutes to complete and require visitors to wear outdoor shoes and comfortable clothing. Expert guides will lead the way, educating visitors on the fascinating natural features of caves as well as entertaining them with historical anecdotes here and there. These tours are only offered in the months of May until October so be sure that your trip to Iowa coincides with these dates if you want to visit the site. Beside cave tours, the site also has a mini-exhibit of gems and other minerals unearthed from the site in the 19th century.