Wisconsin’s state animal is the badger, a nocturnal mammal known for digging its own underground caves and tunnels for shelter. Well, it’s time to summon your inner-badger mantra and explore some of Wisconsin’s most extraordinary caves! But unlike the badger, you can leave your shovel at home.

You can use this handy guide, compliments of the

car insurance

pros at

Jerry

, to walk you through the underground adventure of a lifetime. And as a bonus, we’ll throw in

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on lowering your monthly insurance premiums.

Cave of the Mounds

Address: 2975 Cave of the Mounds Rd, Blue Mounds, WI 53517

Phone: (608) 437-3038

In August 1939, quarry workers were routinely blasting away at limestone until they exposed a massive cave system. When mining ceased, tourist commercialization began, and the

Cave of the Mounds

was born! Now a national landmark, this is a must-visit for all Wisconsin explorers.

The geology of the caverns in the Cave of the Mounds is stunning, but the experience only enhances it. Various speleothems are presented beautifully with artificial light that exposes the riveting shapes and colors of the crystal formations—you can even opt for a blacklight option to observe the natural reactions of the elements!

After you explore the caves on a guided self-paced tour, you’ll have more opportunities to fulfill your desire for adventure by hiking on the above-ground Oak Valley Loop Trail or Karst Trail.

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Apostle Island Sea Caves

Address: 415 Washington Ave, Bayfield, WI 54814

Phone: (715) 779-3398

The

Apostle Island National Lakeshore

offers a unique experience that you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the country. Centuries of waves from Lake Superior have articulately crafted sea caves into the sandstone shoreline.

So rather than strapping on your hiking boots, you’ll need to drop your kayak in the water to explore the dramatic and ever-changing formations—kayak rentals can be found at

nearby outfitters

. Guided boat tours are also offered through the

Apostle Island Cruise Service

if that’s more your speed.

The adventure doesn’t stop when the lake freezes over either! In winter, the sea caves turn into ice caves, allowing further exploration by foot. However, the

conditions must be suitable

for them to be open to the public.

Crystal Caves

Address: W965 WI-29, Spring Valley, WI 54767

Phone: (715) 778-4414

There’s no better place in Wisconsin for a family-friendly introduction to geology than at

Crystal Caves

. The

guided walking tour

takes you seven stories below the Earth’s surface to learn about the unique tiny druzy crystals that give Wisconsin's longest cave its name.

If stalagmites and stalactites aren’t enough to keep your little ones entertained, there are countless other attractions, including Tee-Rex Mini Golf, gem painting, and nature trails. And for those visitors who don’t have kids to keep pre-occupied, the Gold Miner’s Saloon is ready to serve you an ice-cold Spotted Cow—a Wisconsin-exclusive beer!

Above and below ground, there’s something for everyone at Crystal Caves!

MORE:

Open container laws in Wisconsin

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Eagles Cave

Address: 16320 Cavern Ln, Blue River, WI 53518

Phone: (608) 537-2988

Eagles Cave

is Wisconsin’s largest onyx cave, with over 3,000 feet of passages and caravans to explore. Their

in-cave camping and exploratory programs

make it a popular destination for different types of youth groups—they’ll make you feel like a real-life spelunker for a weekend! But if you’re there just for a day trip, guided cave tours are available to walk you through the passageways.

Want to take it to the next level? Well, Subterranean Adventure Tours are available to put you to the test. While their website doesn’t precisely state what this entails, it does say to be prepared for free-climbing, lengthy crawls, wet, muddy, slippery, dark areas, and possible tight conditions.

They also offer summertime camping areas and pampered canoe trips along the Wisconsin River. So, whether you stay for a couple of hours or a couple of days, you’re bound to have a good time at Eagles Cave!

Cherney Maribel Caves County Park

Address: 15401 County Rd R, Maribel, WI 54227

Phone: (920) 683-4185

Cherney Maribel Caves County Park

is an exciting natural area with so many caves to explore that you might need more than one day! Public access is available for Coopers Cave, Pancake Cave, Cave of Treasures, Spring Cave, and more! But, Maribel New Hope Cave and the Tartarus Cave System are only accessible seasonably and by appointment.

Plan your trip by studying

what makes each cave unique

, because some require adequate preparation. For example, the Cave of Treasures has about 200 ft of passages that can be explored only by crawling on your hands and knees. So, you may want to wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself!

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Tips to stay safe while exploring caves

These exploration tips are more relevant for caves that are non-tourist attractions, but they can still be referenced for all types of caves—it’s always better to be over-prepared than underprepared! Here’s how to have a safer and more comfortable adventure:

Dress warmly. Most caves on this list maintain an internal temperature of about 50 degrees under moderate weather conditions, so dress appropriately.

Bring appropriate safety gear. Helmets, headlamps, gloves, and knee and elbow pads are recommended if you plan on venturing into the depths of the cave's tight caverns.

Back-up lighting! When exploring a cave, each person should bring at least two light sources (that are not your phone).

Watch the weather. Uncommercialized caves have unregulated underground water systems, and floods can happen fast. If it recently rained (or is about to), save your exploration for another time.

Know your limits. Only go so far into a cave that you are equally confident you can get back out of. Also, think about bringing food, water, and first aid supplies in case of emergency.

Location, location. If you run into any unexpected complications, make sure your location is known. It’s highly recommended never to explore caves alone—use the buddy system!

How to help preserve subterranean habitats

Even slight disruptions to subterranean habits can cause a massive impact on the surrounding ecosystem. So if you are exploring a cave that is open to the public, here’s how you can help protect its residents:

Clean your shoes and other gear before entering the caves. Tracking foreign substances into a cave can damage the environment or expedite erosion.

Never disturb bats in their habits. Bats are crucial to controlling populations of destructive insects.

Avoid visiting caves in the fall and winter. Bats are hibernating, and disturbances could send them into survival mode if awoken. And since there are limited food sources during these seasons, this reaction could prove deadly for the bats.

Obey protected property signs. As an adventurer, it’s your job to ensure you explore responsibly.

How to find the best car insurance before hitting the road

Before exploring the deep caverns of Wisconsin’s most iconic caves, make sure you have the best car insurance coverage to accompany you on your journey. The

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It’s this simple: download the Jerry super app. In less than 45 seconds after signing up, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer and matches you with a more competitive quote. From there, Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request.

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