Group Tours
Bring the whole crew 156 feet underground.
Schools, camps, organizations, companies, and bus groups of 25 or more get reserved tour times and group rates. Start by filling out the Group Tour Pre-Reservation Form.
How reservations work
Five steps to the cave floor.
- Step 1
Fill out the Group Tour Pre-Reservation Form
Fill out the form and we will contact you with a custom quote. Send any tax-exemption documentation to reception@howecaverns.com
- Step 2
Book 5+ days ahead
Group reservations must be made no later than 5 days in advance with our business office.
- Step 3
Secure your date
School groups pay a $250 non-refundable deposit. All other groups pay in full at booking.
- Step 4
Add gems & lunch
Pair your tour with gem mining and a packed lunch or café buffet.
- Step 5
1 week before tour date
Final group numbers and final payment is due for school groups.
Planning the day
Know before you go.
- Tours connect to earth science, geology, and local history curricula.
- Bring a roster and plan chaperones for each small group.
- Remind students to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring a light jacket.
- Coaches and school buses are welcome in our main lot.
- Plan to arrive 15-30 minutes before your tour time.
- One group leader checks in for the entire group at the guest service window.
- Your guide meets the group and leads you to the elevator.
- The elevator takes you 156 feet below the surface.
- Groups may not eat outside food on property — only food purchased through the Howe Caverns Café.
Overview
Cool group tours at affordable prices.
25 people or more is required for the group rate
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.
Who it’s for
Built for groups of every kind.
Schools
Field trips that bring geology, history, and earth science to life.
Camps & Scouts
A memorable outing for summer camps, troops, and youth programs.
Organizations
Churches, clubs, senior centers, and community groups.
Companies
Team outings and employee appreciation days with a cool backdrop.
Bus & Tour Operators
Coach-friendly arrival, reserved times, and one point of contact.
Large Families
Reunions and celebrations big enough to need their own tour.
Size & pricing
Group rates start at 25 guests.
Group Tours
Inquire for a quote
Organizations, companies, camps, and bus groups of 25 or more receive a custom quote from our reservation team.
Do you have any questions? Call 518-296-8900, Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Discounted group rates are not valid on weekends.
Field trips
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. It's one field trip they'll remember for the rest of their lives.
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!
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
Add-ons
Make it a full day.
Add Gem Mining!
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!
$6.00 per bag
Packed lunch — available year round
- Pizza$9.00 / person
- 2 slices of cheese pizza, fruit, and soda, pink lemonade, or fruit punch
Lunch — summer season
- Pizza$9.00 / person
- 2 slices of cheese pizza, fruit, and soda, pink lemonade, or fruit punch
- Sandwich$13.00 / person
- Choice of turkey & cheese, ham & cheese, or peanut butter & jelly
- Includes chips and cookie, and soda, pink lemonade, or fruit punch
Lunch in the Café Dining Room
35 person minimum. Buffet options cannot be mixed.
- Sandwich Buffet$20.00 / person
- A variety of fresh cut meats and cheeses, choice of tuna or chicken salad
- Rolls and breads, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, condiments, and chips
- Chef’s choice of 2: 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$15.00 / person
- Tossed salad with Italian and ranch dressing, and an assortment of cheese and pepperoni pizzas
- With chicken wings: $21.00 per person
- Water station with choice of soda, lemonade, or fruit punch
- Chef’s choice cookie or brownie platter
- Baked Ziti Buffet$19.00 / person
- 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 prices do not include taxes.
Group policies
An important update to our reservation policy.
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.
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.
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. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our group leaders and educators.
- Deposits & payment
- A $250 deposit is required to confirm school group reservations. This deposit is prepaid and non-refundable, and payment by credit card is required to hold the reservation. For all other groups, full payment is required at the time of reservation and is non-refundable.
- Advance booking
- Group reservations must be made no later than 5 days in advance with our business office. Group bookings of 25 guests or more must be made by filling out the Group Tour Pre-Reservation Form, Should you have questions please call our reservation team at 518-296-8900, Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
- Food on property
- 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 the property.
- Tickets
- All ticket sales are nonrefundable and may not be exchanged. Discounted group rates are not valid on weekends.
Right to Refuse Service: For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at our discretion. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who exhibit disruptive, unsafe, or disrespectful behavior, appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or 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.
FAQ
Group questions, answered.
How many people count as a group?
25 people or more is required for the group rate. Groups of this size must book through our reservation team by phone.
Can I book a group tour online or by email?
No. We do not handle group bookings via email or Facebook Messenger. Call 518-296-8900, Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Are group rates available in the summer?
Group rates are unavailable in June, July & August, and discounted group rates are not valid on weekends. Tours may still be available at full priced tickets.
Is a deposit required?
School groups pay a $250 prepaid, non-refundable deposit by credit card. All other groups pay in full at the time of reservation, which is non-refundable.
Can we bring our own lunch?
No. Groups may only consume food purchased through the Howe Caverns Café. Packed lunches and café buffets can be added when you book.
What should my group wear?
The cave is 52°F year-round. Bring a light jacket and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good grip.
Group reservations
Ready to bring your group?
We do not handle group bookings via email or Facebook Messenger. We look forward to welcoming you to Howe Caverns!