Miles Cave

Animals we've Seen

Raccoon
Spiders

Plants we've Seen

None

Biome Features

Cave

Attractions

Geological Interest
Rock Climbing
Speliology

Related Sites

Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce

Flowstone Deposit | Miles Cave, MN | View enlarged image

Named for General Miles, who negotiated peace in the late 1800's with Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, Mile's Cave honeycombs the bluffs that run along the Vermillion River in Hastings, Minnesota. Local legend states that it was in these caves that the local Native American tribes used to hold meetings with General Miles. While it is hard to determine whether or not these stories are accurate, the walls of the cave have been etched with seemingly genuine date marks from the 1800's.

The cave we explored with amateur speleologist Tim Stenerson extended back about 500 feet, and ran directly under the county park. Stenerson told that there were reports of other, much deeper caves in Hastings that ran, seemingly for miles, under the city itself. These caves are remnants of Minnesota's natural history; its tunnels are the footprints of receding glaciers carving underground streams.

The cave we explored were fascinating, and feature some absolutely amazing flow stone and stalagtite formations, but we would like to stress that they can also be quite dangerous. Miles Cave should only be sought out by experienced and well-equipped speleologists. Some of the tunnels are less than 14" from floor to ceiling (barely enough room for an average-size male to wriggle through) and many make ninety-degree turns. Do not seek these caves out if you have a heart condition, or are prone to ANY degree of claustrophobia or anxiety disorder.

Interesting facts about Mile's Cave:

The temperature in the tunnels is around 50° year-round, and the air is nearly 100% humidity.

Directions:

From the Twin Cities metro area, take Highway 61 South to Hastings

Distance from St. Paul, MN: Approximately 21 Miles

Regulations:

This is not a formal park, and most of the land is city property. Enter the caves at your own risk.

Multimedia:


Cave Spider \| Miles Cave, MN	Miles Cave as seen from bluffs of Vermillion River	Cave Mouth \| Miles Cave, MN

Arrow etched in wall \| Miles Cave, MN	Date in Wall \| Photo Credit: Tim Stenerson \| Miles Cave, MN	Tight Squeeze \| Miles Cave, MN

Sunset outside Hastings, MN

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