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 3,800 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 on an official 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 the 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.
All tours meet at the Churchill County Museum. You will watch an introductory video in our multi-purpose room. Then, the guide will lead a caravan out to Hidden Cave. Be sure to bring hiking shoes, water, sunblock, and a hat. The hike is about 3/4 mile with some steep terrain and is not wheelchair-accessible. Tour lasts about 2 hours. Please call (775) 423-3677 for more information.
2025 Tour Dates
January 11
January 25
February 8
February 22
March 8
March 22
April 12
April 26
May 10
June 14
June 28
July 12
July 26
August 9
August 23
September 13
September 27
October 11
October 25
November 22
December 13
To schedule a Hidden Cave Tour outside of regularly scheduled tour days at the museum, please contact the Bureau of Land Management at BLM_NV_CC_HiddenCave@blm.gov or call (775) 885-6011.