Ultimate Guide to Tainter Cave, Wisconsin (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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Tainter Cave in the Crawford County of Wisconsin has an impressive collection of prehistoric paintings. There are more than one hundred paintings and carvings in the cave, and all are beautifully preserved. The art consists of abstract designs, birds, deer, and humans. It is a site of national and international importance. 

Tainter Cave, Wisconsin

The cave has been severely affected by extensive graffiti, which continued till the late 1990s. However, the bulk of the artwork is in excellent condition, and a gate has been installed at the cave entrance to prevent public entry. 

History of Tainter Cave

Tainter Cave is in a layer of St Peter Sandstone in the Driftless Area. From the entrance, it stretches for about 175 ft to the southwest. The front side of the first chamber is lit naturally by the sunlight, but the remaining two chambers behind it are entirely black. The ceiling is a bit low, and one may have to crawl and stoop at certain times. 

The cave had been known to the local people for many years. The Wisconsin Speleological Society mapped this cave in 1967 under the name Tombstone Cave. In 1993 Daniel Arnold wrote to the Mississippi Valley Archaeological Center that the cave had an entrance that looked like a diamond, drawings of animals and human figures, historic carvings, and birch torches on the floor.

The cave was visited by professional archeologists in 1998, who concluded that most of the images in the graffiti were made by the Native Americans. In 2001, the cave was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Geological Cave Formations

No concrete information is available about the existence of any geological formations inside the cave. 

Wildlife in Tainter Cave

Not much is known about the wildlife that you could see near Tainter Cave, but birds, critters, and small animals are common here. 

Is Tainter Cave Haunted?

It is not haunted and is known for its Native American pictographs. Since there are no guided tours on offer here, some people may think this cave has become haunted. However, this theory is far from the truth.

How Big is Tainter Cave?

It is roughly estimated that Tainter Cave is around 175 to 180 ft in length and the height is only 4 ft at the highest point. 

Tainter Cave Tours

Tainter Cave is the 1st deep cave archaeological site in Wisconsin. It is a dry sandstone cave with ample habitation deposits and more pictographs than any other site in the region. There are more than 100 rare drawings and carvings in the three interconnected rooms of the cave, which extend for almost 55m from the mouth of the entrance.

However, natural light only reaches the cave’s first chamber, and artificial light would be needed in the two backside rooms. The cave lies on private land, but sadly it has been grossly disfigured by modern graffiti. There is now a welded gate at the mouth of the cave to prevent trespassing and prevent natural environment conditions inside the cave. Let us briefly take you through the three interconnected chambers of this unique cave. 

Chamber One

The entrance leading to the 1st Chamber is a horizontal crack, 35 ft across and 4 ft tall at the highest point. The first chamber is about 60 ft deep, and it is full of modern graffiti, which has carvings that are certainly Native American.

A panel of drawings on the ceiling inside the entrance shows a human figure with lines across the body. It probably looks like a baby on a cradleboard, and the line is almost connected to a speckled bird. If it is a baby, this drawing probably represents a naming ceremony.

More drawings on the west and south walls include depictions of spear tips and groups of abstract arcs and lines resembling designs usually found on the Late Woodland pottery. A range of cultural materials have been found in the cave, and, based on this, it can be concluded that people mainly lived in the first chamber as it had sufficient natural light. 

Chamber Two

There is a low opening at the back of the first chamber, around 75 ft in length. The ceiling is not high, and it is impossible to stand up here. There are fewer pictures than the first, and a section of the wall has collapsed. 

Chamber Three

Towards the end of the 2nd chamber, the roof rises into a domed roof about 50 ft long, and there are lots of rubble on the floor. There is a narrow crawlspace at the back of this chamber that continues for 15 ft to a place where THE END is scratched on the wall. This dark chamber, too, has few pictures, and some of the images on the ceiling are partially obscured by a coat of calcium. 

Tour Prices and Discounts

There are no tours available for the public. 

Is Tainter Cave Cold?

The exact temperature inside the Tainter Cave is not known, but it is assumed that the temperature would be lower than the surroundings, just like any other cave. 

What to Wear?

You can wear loose, comfortable clothing and a good pair of walking shoes. 

Tainter Cave Hours

Tainter Cave can be visited anytime between dawn and dusk. 

What to Do at Tainter Cave (Beside Tours)

There is nothing much to do in this region, and Tainter Cave is the only significant site here. 

Best Time to Visit Tainter Caves

One can visit the cave any time of the day. It would help if you came here in broad daylight as the first chamber gets naturally illuminated by the sunlight. 

How to Get to Tainter Cave

The Tainter Cave is also known as the Arnold Cave and is located in the Crawford County of Wisconsin. The cave is easily accessible from the nearest town of Prairie Du Chien, and the nearest village is Clayton. 

Hotels near Tainter Cave

People who plan to stay overnight will be disappointed as the Tainter Cave does not have any camping facilities. But you can choose any of the hotels in Crawford County and stay there, and Tainter Cave will be within your easy reach. 

Tainter Cave Fun Facts

• There are more than 100 drawings, and one of the drawings has been dated at 1100 years old. 
• A bulk of the art is in the dark zone of the cave where artifacts like ceramics and torches have been found. 
• The cave is situated on private land, and a gate has been installed to prevent unauthorized access. 

Tainter Cave Details 

• Length: Estimated to be 180 ft
• Time Recommended: 1 to 2 hours 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Kid-friendly: Easy   
• Dog-friendly: Not Known 
• Fees: NA
• Hours: Dawn to dusk 

Visiting Tainter Cave

Do you need more information before visiting? No contact details are readily available to us. Still, if you are looking for more information, you can check the internet or ask the local authorities at Crawford County. 

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