Entry No. 57 — the Spokane file — filed under: roadside-oddity

Gardner Cave at Crawford State Park

In the far northeast corner of Washington, almost on the Canadian border, Gardner Cave is the longest limestone cave in the state, dripping with stalactites, flowstone, and a two-foot-thick column of stone. Legend holds a bootlegger named Ed Gardner found it in 1899 when the ground collapsed under him and his horse. Ranger-led tours descend a staircase into the 40-degree dark on the only days the cave is open.

The move: Book a ranger-led cave tour and shiver together in the 40-degree dark among the dripstone formations.

📍 Before you go Cave is seasonal and tour-only with limited days; reservations recommended and the cave stays a steady ~40 degrees, so bring a jacket.

• 📍 Metaline Falls, WA
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Crawford State Park, Boundary Rd, Metaline Falls, WA

Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

last checked: 2026-06-24