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GROUP TOURS

An Unforgettable Adventure for field trips, club trips, meetings and incentives.

GROUP TOURS

An Unforgettable Adventure for field trips, club trips, meetings and incentives.

RAT'S NEST CAVE

THE GROUP EXPERIENCE

Believe it or not, Rat's Nest Cave has plenty of space to host your group of adventurers. Located in the Canadian Rockies, this cave offers a unique group tour experience ideal for school classes, youth organizations, and teams.

Our tours accommodate all skill levels, allowing your group to explore the cave's natural beauty and history while adding an accessible level of challenge. It's a great way to bond, encourage teamwork, or simply enjoy an adventure together.

An Ideal Field Trip

Rat's Nest Cave offers the perfect combination of challenge, adventure and education, meaning they'll have fun and learn!

Teams Go Caving

Caving is inherently team-building. Watch as your team learns to work together and support each other while sharing a memorable experience.

Reliable and Customizable

Our tours are available year-round, rain or shine and can be tailored to meet your needs.

Flexible Group Sizes

Our tours can accommodate groups of 2-40 cavers, with Group Discounts available to groups of 8 or more.
Group Rates

Standard Group Discounts

Group discounts are available to any group year-round and are based on group size:

  • 8 - 15 cavers: 10% off per person.
  • 16 or more cavers: 20% off per person.

Non-Profit Group Discounts

Additional discounts are available for community and educational groups and teams of 8 or more cavers from Sept 15th - May 15th (not including Dec 15 - Jan 15):

  • Weekend Tours: 30% off per person.
  • Weekday Tours: 40% off per person.
WHo are the non-profit group rates for?
Adventure Tour | Details
Tour Details

Adventure Tour
  • Adult (16+):
    $199 + GST
  • Youth (12-15):
    $169 + GST
  • Available:
    Year-Round
  • Max Group Size:
    16
  • Tour Length:
    ~ 6 Hours
  • Time In-Cave:
    ~ 4 Hours
  • Adult (16+):
    $199 + GST
  • Youth (12-15):
    $169 + GST
  • Available:
    Year-Round
  • Max Group Size:
    16 Cavers
  • Tour Length:
    ~ 6 Hours
  • Time In-Cave:
    ~ 4 Hours

The Adventure Tour is our flagship tour and has been recognized as a Canadian Signature Experience. As the longest tour we offer in Rat’s Nest Cave, the Adventure Tour is the complete package.

Cavers will rappel 18m (that’s 6 Stories!) inside the cave, plus have the opportunity to push your limits in the warm-up squeeze, challenge squeeze, and the Laundry Chute – a section of the cave that adds a little extra challenge but a whole lot of extra fun. Visit the impressive Grand Gallery – the largest known room in the cave, then surround yourself with ancient cave formations in the Grotto.

The Adventure Tour is a great option for smaller groups who have a whole day for the maximum amount of adventure.

Explorer Tour
  • Adult (16+):
    $149 + GST
  • Youth (10-15):
    $129 + GST
  • Available:
    Year-Round
  • Max Group Size:
    40
  • Tour Length:
    ~ 4.5 Hours
  • Time In-Cave:
    ~ 2.5 Hours
  • Adult (16+):
    $149 + GST
  • Youth (10-15):
    $129 + GST
  • Available:
    Year-Round
  • Max Group Size:
    40 Cavers
  • Tour Length:
    ~ 4.5 Hours
  • Time In-Cave:
    ~ 2.5 Hours

The Explorer Tour may be our shortest cave tour, but it is by no means short on fun and excitement.

Your guide will introduce you to the amazing world of caves, spending approximately 2 hours underground crawling past prehistoric bones, investigating our ancient cave formations and even squeezing into places like the warm-up and challenge squeezes (if you so choose of course!).

This is a great option for large groups, team building or those who don’t have quite enough time for the Adventure Tour. We promise to give you an experience you won’t forget!

How Does a Tour Work?

Here's a great little video to help explain it all. If you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact us!

Sample Itinerary

Times are approximate
Tour Start Time (T)
Meet your guide at the Canmore Cave Tours office.
T + 20 min
Pack up equipment and follow guide in a convoy to cave parking lot.
T + 30 min
Begin hiking up to the entrance.
T + 1hr
Arrive at cave entrance, safety brief and gear up
T + 1h30
Let’s go Caving!
T + 5h30
Emerge victoriously from the cave - celebratory high-five!
T + 6h
Arrive at cave parking lot and depart

COMMON QUESTIONS

Your questions not covered here? Please contact us!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ADVENTURE AND EXPLORER TOURS?

The Adventure Tour is a total of 6 hours long, 4 hours of which are spent underground. The Explorer Tour spends 2.5 of its total 4.5 hours underground. The main difference between the two is that the Adventure Tour includes an 18m rappel (no experience necessary) and the extra time allows us to explore more of the cave. Both tours are similar in difficulty and require a moderate level of fitness.

IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE?
The minimum age for the Adventure Tour is 12 years. The minimum age for the Explorer Tour is 10 years.
IS THERE A MAXIMUM SIZE?
Generally speaking, fitness is more of a concern than size. However, all participants must wear a safety harness which has a maximum waist size of 46" (116 cm) and a maximum leg size of 33" (84 cm). If you have any concerns about size please don't hesitate to contact us.
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We provide all of the necessary caving equipment including coveralls, kneepads, gloves, helmet & headlamp, harness & safety lanyard, and backpack. The backpack will be shared by two people and will not go into the cave.

You will need to bring good footwear, warm clothing, a water bottle and a durable snack to keep your energy up in the cave. Cave friendly snacks are pocket-sized, are edible even if squished (you will probably sit on your snack at least once!) and include energy bars, candy bars, fruit leathers etc. Please avoid snacks that will potentially leave a mess in the cave like nuts and fruit. Also, if you will require medication during the tour it is a good idea to bring 2x what you would expect to use, just in case.

Footwear must be closed-toe and should have a sturdy tread. Hiking boots or shoes are best, but a sturdy running shoe will also work. Other options include rubber boots or winter boots (in the winter).

The cave is 5 degrees celsius, so warm clothing is recommended. Imagine what you would wear if you had to spend a few hours in a refrigerator. We recommend long pants, long sleeves, a warm sweater, hoodie or jacket. Synthetic fabrics are best as they will keep you warm even if you get wet.

Any cameras going into the cave will need to fit into your pockets. We do not allow backpacks in the cave. Small point-and-shoot cameras or smart phones are welcome but please keep in mind that the cave environment is not particularly friendly towards electronics. High humidity and dust can damage equipment, and screens can break if you accidentally sit on it. Electronics are brought at your own risk.

IS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED?
No, transportation is not provided. If you do not have your own vehicle we can arrange a taxi to the cave for you at an additional cost. You can use Canmore's public transit to get to our office.
HOW HARD IS THE TOUR?

The hike to the cave takes approximately 30-40 minutes and is uphill the whole way on a mountain trail. Most of our guests find this to be the hardest part of the day, but we do take lots of stops along the way to enjoy the scenery.

Once in the cave the pace is quite slow as we maneuver through the passages. This is not a flat walking tour. There are no handrails, walkways or fixed lighting. We climb, crawl, slide and wiggle our way around the cave so it is best to have a moderate level of fitness. Even more important though is your sense of adventure!

ARE THERE RATS OR BATS?

Rat's Nest Cave is named after the nests of Bushy-tailed Wood Rats found in the entrance. This species of super-cute rodents is native to the area and they use the cave as a home due to it's constantly warm temperatures and protection from predators. We rarely see the rats, and if we do there is usually just one.

Bat's are rarely seen at Rat's Nest Cave. The cave is not a hibernaculum (a place where bats hibernate through the winter). We usually only see the occasional bat in the summer as they are passing through the area.

IS THIS TOUR SUITABLE FOR ME IF I'M PREGNANT?

Yes, but only up until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks).

It is always advisable to seek advice from your doctor when participating in activities like caving.

WILL I NEED TO SIGN A WAIVER?

Yes, all participants will need to complete a liability waiver. We recommend you review the waiver before booking your tour. Once you have booked your tour you will receive a link to sign the waiver online . Any minors must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before participating on the tour.

View the Waiver

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

Our Cancellation Policy is 48 hrs notice for a change or refund. Group reservations of 8 or more are subject to a 14 Day Cancellation Policy. Due to changes in credit card company fees, a 3% fee will apply to all refunds.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ADVENTURE AND EXPLORER TOURS?

The Adventure Tour is a total of 6 hours long, 4 hours of which are spent underground. The Explorer Tour spends 2.5 of its total 4.5 hours underground. The main difference between the two is that the Adventure Tour includes an 18m rappel (no experience necessary) and the extra time allows us to explore more of the cave. Both tours are similar in difficulty and require a moderate level of fitness.

IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE?
The minimum age for the Adventure Tour is 12 years. The minimum age for the Explorer Tour is 10 years.
IS THERE A MAXIMUM SIZE?
Generally speaking, fitness is more of a concern than size. However, all participants must wear a safety harness which has a maximum waist size of 46" (116 cm) and a maximum leg size of 33" (84 cm). If you have any concerns about size please don't hesitate to contact us.
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We provide all of the necessary caving equipment including coveralls, kneepads, gloves, helmet & headlamp, harness & safety lanyard, and backpack. The backpack will be shared by two people and will not go into the cave.

You will need to bring good footwear, warm clothing, a water bottle and a durable snack to keep your energy up in the cave. Cave friendly snacks are pocket-sized, are edible even if squished (you will probably sit on your snack at least once!) and include energy bars, candy bars, fruit leathers etc. Please avoid snacks that will potentially leave a mess in the cave like nuts and fruit. Also, if you will require medication during the tour it is a good idea to bring 2x what you would expect to use, just in case.

Footwear must be closed-toe and should have a sturdy tread. Hiking boots or shoes are best, but a sturdy running shoe will also work. Other options include rubber boots or winter boots (in the winter).

The cave is 5 degrees celsius, so warm clothing is recommended. Imagine what you would wear if you had to spend a few hours in a refrigerator. We recommend long pants, long sleeves, a warm sweater, hoodie or jacket. Synthetic fabrics are best as they will keep you warm even if you get wet.

Any cameras going into the cave will need to fit into your pockets. We do not allow backpacks in the cave. Small point-and-shoot cameras or smart phones are welcome but please keep in mind that the cave environment is not particularly friendly towards electronics. High humidity and dust can damage equipment, and screens can break if you accidentally sit on it. Electronics are brought at your own risk.

IS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED?
No, transportation is not provided. If you do not have your own vehicle we can arrange a taxi to the cave for you at an additional cost. You can use Canmore's public transit to get to our office.
HOW HARD IS THE TOUR?

The hike to the cave takes approximately 30-40 minutes and is uphill the whole way on a mountain trail. Most of our guests find this to be the hardest part of the day, but we do take lots of stops along the way to enjoy the scenery.

Once in the cave the pace is quite slow as we maneuver through the passages. This is not a flat walking tour. There are no handrails, walkways or fixed lighting. We climb, crawl, slide and wiggle our way around the cave so it is best to have a moderate level of fitness. Even more important though is your sense of adventure!

ARE THERE RATS OR BATS?

Rat's Nest Cave is named after the nests of Bushy-tailed Wood Rats found in the entrance. This species of super-cute rodents is native to the area and they use the cave as a home due to it's constantly warm temperatures and protection from predators. We rarely see the rats, and if we do there is usually just one.

Bat's are rarely seen at Rat's Nest Cave. The cave is not a hibernaculum (a place where bats hibernate through the winter). We usually only see the occasional bat in the summer as they are passing through the area.

IS THIS TOUR SUITABLE FOR ME IF I'M PREGNANT?

Yes, but only up until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks).

It is always advisable to seek advice from your doctor when participating in activities like caving.

WILL I NEED TO SIGN A WAIVER?

Yes, all participants will need to complete a liability waiver. We recommend you review the waiver before booking your tour. Once you have booked your tour you will receive a link to sign the waiver online . Any minors must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before participating on the tour.

View the Waiver

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

Our Cancellation Policy is 48 hrs notice for a change or refund. Group reservations of 8 or more are subject to a 14 Day Cancellation Policy. Due to changes in credit card company fees, a 3% fee will apply to all refunds.