About Hidden Cave

Hidden Cave is a prehistoric archaeological site within Grimes Point Archaeological area that reveals thousands of years of geologic and human history. Ancient Lake Lahontan, a massive body of water that existed during the last ice age, carved the cave about 20,000 years ago. When Ancient Lake Lahontan receded, animals began dwelling within the cave. Around 3800 years ago, ancestors of the Toi-Ticutta (literally Cattail-Eaters, today the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone tribe) began to use the cave. They did not live inside Hidden Cave but used it as a cache site. They created pits in the cave and buried tools and supplies there, knowing those objects would be safe until they came to retrieve them.

The site can be visited either in person via tour (scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for a private tour!), or in VR using kiosks at the Churchill County Museum, Churchill County Library, or Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe Community Learning Center. In 2013, we partnered with @One Digital Media of the University of Nevada Reno Libraries, The Bureau of Land Management, and the Nevada DOT to create the following documentary discussing this history and importance of Hidden Cave:

Hidden Cave Tours

Since the 1980s, the Churchill County Museum has collaborated with the Bureau of Land Management to offer tours of Hidden Cave to the public. Public tours are held every 2nd and 4th Saturday, other than on Holiday Weekends. Please arrive at 9:15, as orientation begins promptly at 9:30. No reservations or tickets required. For more tour information, click here!