Polar Caves Park

Pets are not allowed in the park.

Of course... kissing partner not included

Yes there is a shaded picnic area.

Polar Caves park is a fun, adventurous destination for families who love to explore, and visitors looking for a leisurely touring experience. However, the caves can be quite chilly on even the hottest summer day. They are named Polar Caves because of the icy breath that emanates from them after all! In addition to long sleeves, wear sturdy shoes such as hiking boots or sneakers. You’re going to be scrambling around rocks and into caves, down ladders, and along wood boardwalks. Flip-flops are strongly discouraged; they don’t offer good support on the terrain.

The Polar Caves were formed during the last ice age as a continental glacier descended over New Hampshire’s White Mountains. When the caves were originally discovered, the cold breeze exiting them was described as “polar,” giving the caves their name. While our mascot is a Polar Bear, as far as we know, none have ever lived here.

Hi Amanda, yes we do - $17.50 for seniors 65+ (instead of $19.50 regular admission).

20 for adults and I believe kids under 3 are free

I believe it's around $20 for adults and $15 for kids

Yes, photography is allowed, and cell service is typically good. We look forward to having you!

Hi Aubrey, we close seasonally from shortly after Columbus Day to mid-May. Our reopening date in Spring is often weather dependent but we keep our website updated as we approach warmer weather. Keep you eye on our 'Plan Your Visit' page on the website as we approach May to see exactly when we will be opening for the Spring season.

Self-guided tours can take about 2 hours, but feel free to stay the whole day. If you’d like to leave and come back, just be sure we stamp your hand for re-admittance. If you’d like to avoid crowds, plan to visit early or later in the day. Please keep in mind that our busiest hours are between 11 am and 2 pm. In the summer, we sell our last ticket at 5 pm, but you can stay in the park until around 6 pm.

The Polar Caves were formed during the last Ice Age, long before the invention of strollers and baby carriers. Neither of these modern conveniences works well while touring the caves due to steep inclines and declines, tight spaces and in some cases low ceilings. Strollers will be difficult to navigate over stairs. A baby-back carrier or snuggly type device may leave the child exposed to physical injury if a caregiver slipped or fell. However, many parents have toured the caves or utilized the boardwalk bypasses that allow a visitor who wants to “go around” a cave to do so by following a boardwalk path. Additionally, we do have a baby changing station located in our Maple Lodge accessible bathroom.

Polar Caves Park wishes to be welcoming to every person. However, our attraction is built into the side of a mountain. The changes in elevation necessitate inclined paths and stairs. As this is a natural attraction we have limited paved surfaces. Our main concourse and paths are either bluestone gravel or earth. Wheeled vehicles (wheelchairs, scooters and strollers) will be unable to or have great difficulty navigating this terrain. All nine caves are situated on or around Hawk’s Cliff at an elevation hundreds of feet above the parking lot. There are many stairs that connect the caves and bypass boardwalks. Our main concourse where our Animal Parc is located is gravel covered and partially accessible depending on the diameter of a wheeled vehicles wheels. Persons with physical disabilities that limit mobility or who are accompanied by registered guide dogs should contact the office in advance with additional questions.

Yes you can!

Hi Jessica, visitors of all builds have come to the caves and had a great time. Should you need or want to, you can take a bypass route around any of the caves and meet your family on the other side. Enjoy your visit!

13+: $19.50, 4-12: $14.50, 3 and under: free. Active/retired Military receive $2 discount w/ ID. For group. season, river mining and climbing rates, see "Plan Your Visit" on our website.

13+: $19.50, 4-12: $14.50, 3 and under: free. Active/retired Military receive $2 discount w/ ID. For group. season, river mining and climbing rates, see "Plan Your Visit" on our website.

Pets are not allowed in the park.

Hi Julia, generally we suggest that you give yourself about 2 hours to explore during a self-guided tour, but you are welcome to stay as long as you would like! We also allow you to leave and come back during the same day as long as you are still wearing your wristband.

Not sure but I know it wouldn't break the bank . I am sure it's easy enough to call or look at their website.

It is closed until spring now.

Is it dog friendly

Yes

I don't recommend it u may be able to in the parking lot but not 100 percent sure but once u enter u cannot re enter so u will only be able to use before or after

Polar Caves is closed until late Spring. We will open again when we can remove the snow and ice from our cave network. Thanks for the question and have a great winter!

We closed on October 20th for the 2019 season but will be reopening in mid-May 2020. Because our spring open date is weather dependent, please keep an eye on our website as we approach warmer weather for the announced date. Hope to see you next year!

Hi Thomas, Ages 13+ $19.50 Ages 4-12 $14.50 You can find any details you need to plan your trip at: Polarcaves.com under Plan You Visit.

Amanda - exploring with a very young child may pose quite a challenge. Strollers are not navigable on stairs and the tight spaces and low ceilings in some of our caves make passage with a stroller impossible. We also do not recommend back carriers as it may leave the child exposed to risk from surrounding rocks or physical injury if the caregiver accidentally falls. However, many parents have toured the caves while utilizing a front pack baby carrier.

As much as we love animals, we kindly as that you leave pets at home when visiting Polar Caves Park.

Hi Chad, yes there are a lot of stairs on premise. There may be some caves your husband can see comfortably. Please give us a call to discuss!

Chad, there are quite a few stairs on premise, but as mentioned by other members of the community below, there may be some alternative options. Please give us a call to discuss!

Hi Robin, 1h 24 m (87.3 miles), according to Google Maps. We hope to see you this season!

Jane try the polar caves website, or stop by and show them your shining face :)

The caves are definitely not. I am also thinking there are stairs from the parking lot to the gift shop as well, which is the first place you would go for admission. There might be another way in though.