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Real.
Unforgettable.

Wild Caving Adventures.

5.0★ Google · 4.9★ TripAdvisor · Epic Adventures Since 1992

Group descending into the Grand Gallery of Rat's Nest Cave

Real.
Unforgettable.

Real.
Unforgettable.

A Wild Caving Adventure
beneath the Canadian Rockies
— rain, snow, or shine. (bragging rights included)

5.0★ Google · 4.9★ TripAdvisor · 2,000+ Reviews
Epic Adventures Since 1992

Your Time is Precious.

Make It
Extraordinary.

Most people come to the Rockies for what's above, but only the curious few discover what lies beneath. Rat's Nest Cave stretches four kilometres under Grotto Mountain — carved from ancient limestone and shaped by glaciers. Home to fossils, pictographs, and formations that took millennia to grow, it's an experience that stands the test of time.

Whatever you came to the Rockies for, this will be the part you talk about when you get home.

Real Adventure

You're heading into a real, undeveloped natural cave — no walkways, no fixed lighting, no handrails. You'll be dressed in high-quality caving equipment and teamed up with one of our experienced cave guides for an experience that is uncommonly wild.

Year-Round, Rain or Shine

Mountain weather is unpredictable - unless you're IN the mountain. The Cave is always 5°C. There's no rain, no wind, no snow and no sun, so we can explore the cave any day of the year. TL;DR: We almost never cancel because of weather, so plan with confidence.

A Complete Experience

Most guests are surprised by how much there is to discover down there — the geology, the fossils, the stories your guide brings to life around every corner. The physical challenge is real, but so is the sense that almost anyone, with the right guide and the right attitude, can do this.
Real Adventure
You're heading into a real, undeveloped natural cave — no walkways, no fixed lighting, no handrails. You'll be dressed in high-quality caving equipment and teamed up with one of our experienced cave guides for an experience that is uncommonly wild.
Year-Round, Rain or Shine
Mountain weather is unpredictable - unless you're IN the mountain. The Cave is always 5°C. There's no rain, no wind, no snow and no sun, so we can explore the cave any day of the year. TL;DR: We almost never cancel because of weather, so plan with confidence.
A Complete Experience
Most guests are surprised by how much there is to discover down there — the geology, the fossils, the stories your guide brings to life around every corner. The physical challenge is real, but so is the sense that almost anyone, with the right guide and the right attitude, can do this.

More Than 30 Years
of Adventure

We've been sharing this incredible
underground world with visitors from
across the globe since 1992.

Discover Canmore's Rat's Nest Cave

Choose Your Adventure

Two great tour options. Zero regrets.
Adventure Tour

Rappel, squeeze, and explore. For those who want the full experience.

  • $199/Adult
  • $169/Youth
  • Ages 12+
  • ~6 Hours
Learn More
Explorer Tour

Real wild caving. Crawls, squeezes, ancient formations. No experience necessary.

  • $149/Adult
  • $129/Youth
  • Ages 10+
  • ~4.5 Hours
Learn More

Choose Your Adventure

Two great tour options. Zero regrets.
Adventure Tour

Rappel, squeeze, and explore. For those who want the full experience.

  • $199/Adult
  • $169/Youth
  • Ages 12+
  • ~6 Hours
Learn More
Explorer Tour

Real wild caving. Crawls, squeezes, ancient formations. No experience necessary.

  • $149/Adult
  • $129/Youth
  • Ages 10+
  • ~4.5 Hours
Learn More
From Our Guests

Jessica Champion

01 October 2026
Went on the full adventure tour with Annie today. From start to finish, Annie was an engaging tour guide and was very knowledgeable. She kept the conversation going but was informative, not only about the steps to navigate the cave but the interesting facts about the cave. She handled a group of 8 people, from all over the world, with a calm and pleasant demeanor. As a couple who has been on multiple rappelling and similar outdoor adventures, this was right up there with some of the best. The cave was challenging to navigate at times but not so much that a beginner couldn't handle it. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and would absolutely do this again! Thank you to Annie for making this such a wonderful experience. Oh and her dog, Bolt, was an excellent addition to the day!

Shyann Boone

27 September 2026
John was an excellent guide for our group. He was great at explaining all the little details about the cave especially the stalactites and cave bacon etc. During the “uphill walk” to the entrance. He took resting breaks for the group, and used that time to talk about plants, bears and other things. He made the journey memorable from start to finish. Thanks John! & to the co pilot 🐶 & front desk for a great time😊

Michael Bednarczyk

25 September 2026
This is NOT your average cave tour and it was the coolest thing i did during my trip! I did the full 6-hour adventure tour with Annie which i highly recommend. You're not just walking into a cave and being told facts and rock puns like most tours, you're legit spelunking! My expectations of what we would be doing were blown away. We went into holes and tunnels i would never consider my body had any business being inside. As an adventurous person that isn't claustrophobic, even i had a couple moments of "woah, this is getting kinda getting past my comfort level" in a good way. Annie was so knowledgable and kept everyone comfortable, safe, and light-hearted. She was encouraging and never showed any sign of concern or stress, even for the larger people in our party who all made it through everything safely. She even handled a bathroom emergency discretely and comfortably. I have NEVER been on a cave tour that felt like a real experience and it has changed my outlook on future cave tours. My friends came here a few days before me and were also raving about it which is what convinced me to give it a shot. It was super easy to join too, i came in about 20 minutes before departure and just filled out a waiver. The group was small, 6 people, and i think they cap it at 8 so it was a pleasant amount of people.

Angela Cherlin

14 September 2026
Unique fabulous caving adventure!! Rain or Shine! This is hands down the most unique, mind-blowing caving tour I have ever experienced. My husband and I had the absolute best time! You get to rappel down 18 meters, see stunning caverns, crawl through rocky tunnels, slide down muddy slopes, and squeeze through impossibly narrow slits. The large underground Grotto with its glacier pond was beautiful, but the fun experience of crawling and climbing our way in and out of Rat’s Nest was even better, especially squeezing down the narrow Laundry Chute. If I did not see Tour Guide John slide down, I would have thought that it was impossible to slip down that narrow slit! The Guide & Safety: Our guide, John, was incredible and highly knowledgeable. Canmore Caving Tours owns the rights to Rat’s Nest Cave and they have cleverly designed "testing points" to ensure everyone can safely handle the challenges. John even knows alternative routes if you get overwhelmed. That said, if you suffer from severe claustrophobia or fear steep heights, this tour is definitely NOT for you. Our tour guide prioritized safety, incorporating multiple rest stops to keep the group together. Expect to spend 3.5 to 4.5 hours underground in the Caving Adventures Tour depending on your group's size and fitness level. (Surprisingly, oxygen levels felt completely fine the entire time!) Crucial Tips for Future Cavers: -Footwear: You must wear shoes with excellent tread. Casual shoes like Vans will not cut it. -Clothing: The cave stays around 40°F (4°C) year-round. Wear a thick, old sweatshirt and sweatpants. Canmore Caving Tours provide disposable painter suits, but these rip easily. The thick layers will save your elbows while crawling and pad your buttocks when sliding down muddy rocks. Knee pads are provided but might slip while crawling. Helmets with bright lights are also provided. I had no difficulty seeing underground with their helmet lights. -Fitness Requirements: You don't need to be an athlete, but you do need to be decently fit. First “testing point”: the tour starts with a strenuous 30–40 minute steep uphill hike over loose stones and mud just to reach the entrance. Our tour guide John did offer 2 breaks to talk about nature during that uphill hike. If it’s raining, I would recommend using trekking poles. Second “testing point: you must pull your own body weight up a high rock face using a knotted rope. If neither of these activities seem fun to you, this tour is NOT for you. -Bathroom/Food: You cannot eat, drink, or use a proper restroom for about 4 hours underground. If emergency bathroom breaks are needed, the tour guide provides a plastic bottle with attachments, but privacy is probably minimal. Honestly, this tour is an absolute steal for the price—I would have gladly paid double. Also, apparently the conditions inside Rat's Nest caves are the same during sunny or rainy days. So this activity is a perfect alternative for rainy days! Don't forget to tip your amazing guides!!! P.S. To the owners: Please consider installing cameras at key spots like the top of the Laundry Chute or by the Grotto pond! Tourists would gladly pay extra to buy professional photos/videos of this unforgettable experience!

Siobhan S

12 September 2026
John was an awesome tour guide, he was funny and entertaining (according to my nephew, who has really high standards). If you are torn between the different tours I think you should definitely try to longer one with the rappelling and stuff!

BADGEYYY

12 September 2026
Annie was an awesome guide!!

Craig B

02 September 2026
Absolutely incredible day! Having never tried this sport before, I was unsure of what to expect. However, our guide, Emily was the best! She is obviously high trained and incredibly experienced. While she fostered a light and friendly group atmosphere, it was clear that safety was always her #1 priority. Our group ranged in age from mid 20's to mid 60's and every single one of us had an amazing time!

欸,走啦走啦!

29 August 2026
This cave adventure was fantastic and exceeded my expectations, especially our guide John, who was incredibly knowledgeable and made me feel completely safe. I highly recommend this trip!

HazelGrunts

29 August 2026
My brother and I had a great time! The guide was very knowledgeable, experienced, and safety-first. It was more physically difficult than we had imagined, but we did it while being admittedly chubby individuals, and a middle aged mother and tween aged son who were in our tour group were able to do it as well. It was apparently the wettest time of the year for the cave (mid august) but our equipment kept us mostly dry. The hike was beautiful and the cave was fascinating and a piece of raw nature, not carved up or sanitized like many tourist attractions. It really is a real cave.

Ashley Sharp

27 August 2026
We booked the tour, received the confirmation email, and then got an email later that afternoon saying there was in fact no availability. No problem, I call and they say they have availability for a group of 4 for the next day. I take 5 min to chat with my group (we would have to reschedule other activities), call back, and chat with a new associate and say yes please to the following day! She says there is in fact only 3 spots availability but will make some calls to see if she can accommodate us and will call us back. I wait an hour, then call back myself. I speak to the first associate again, who says there was availability for the earlier time slot only, but not the original time slot. And oops, that earlier time slot was in fact booked within the last hour too, so you're out of luck. Absolutely ridiculous.

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