Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls (Adventure Guide)

Q: What is Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls?

Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls is an adventure attraction at the bottom of the American side of the Niagara Gorge , offering visitors a close-up experience with powerful Bridal Veil Falls.

Q: Is the Cave of the Winds in the USA or Canada?

Cave of the Winds is on the USA side of Niagara Falls .

Q: How Long Does It Take to Go Through Cave of the Winds?

It takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to go through Cave of the Winds. You can choose to spend more or less time, but I recommend taking it slow to soak it all in.

Q: Is There Parking for Cave of the Winds?

Yes, there is parking available for Cave of the Winds at Niagara Falls State Park. There are multiple parking lots located throughout the state park, as well as street-side parking options available closer to the entrance of Goat Island Rd. Be sure to check signs for time limits and permit requirements.

Q: Is Cave of the Winds Handicap Accessible?

Yes, Cave of the Winds at Niagara Falls State Park is partially handicap accessible . The elevator and main walkway can accommodate wheelchairs, making it easy for everyone to experience the power of the falls up close. The staircases and the Hurricane Deck are not accessible-friendly.

Q: Is Cave of the Winds Open in Winter?

Yes, Cave of the Winds is open during the winter . But the Hurricane Deck is not, as it gets removed every fall and rebuilt in the spring due to ice buildup.

Q: Do You Get Wet at Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls?

Yes, you will get wet at Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls. While you will wear a poncho, it will not keep you fully dry. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet, and prepare to have fun in the water.

Get closer to the NY side of Niagara Falls than you ever thought possible at Cave of the Winds.

While following walkways at the bottom of the Niagara Gorge, you can feel the force of the Falls up close. Choosing how misted you want to be!

After going on a tour and having visited Niagara Falls NY dozens of times, I can tell you visiting Cave of the Winds is worth it and a must-do adventure! Getting soaked at the Hurricane Deck was so much fun!

Let’s get right into everything you need to know to plan your visit, including where it is, how long it takes, what to wear, and the best tours.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) on qualifying purchases so we can continue to create helpful content. Thank you, and we appreciate it. See our disclosure policy for more information.

Melissa wearing a yellow poncho, leaning on the Hurricane Deck. She is on a Cave of the Winds tour in the Niagara Falls on the NY side, on a cloudy, dreary day. In front of her is a strong waterfall with rocks and mists, and at a distance is the Rainbow International Bridge which connects the Niagara Falls in NY and Ontario.

Cave of the Winds: Overview

Hours: Daily 9 am – 8 pm. Hours are limited in the winter months.

Time: 45 minutes – 1.5 hours

Cost: 19 USD + per adult

Best Tour: Niagara Falls American-Side Tour

Location: Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park

Exploring Cave of the Winds

Start by learning about the history of the falls and how Nikola Tesla harnessed their power. From there, ride an elevator 175 ft (53 m) down into the Niagara Gorge.

Once suited up, start your journey toward the falls. Walk up and down stairs and along walkways, getting closer and closer to the falls. Prepare to get misted. You might even see a rainbow.

View of the Hurricane Deck in the Niagara Falls, with a red wooden fence and a staircase going downwards, and a rock formation supporting the deck on the right. On the left side of the frame, there is a tourist wearing a yellow poncho and blue hat, who seems to be going on the Cave of the Winds tour. There's a small rainbow at a distance, with a large mist of water covering 3/4 of the background. At a distance, you can see some skyscrapers of the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls.

From the Hurricane Deck, feel winds up to 108 kph (68 mph) while drenched by buckets of water. The experience on the Niagara Falls Hurricane Deck is similar to the experience of tropical storm-like conditions, hence its name.

A group of tourists wearing yellow ponchos on the Hurricane Deck, located right next to the Cave of the Winds in the Niagara Falls on the USA side. One tourist is waving at the camera with arms stretched out. In front of her, there's a banner that says "Hurricane Deck - Cave of the Winds". The deck is supported by wooden stilts and rock formations. Underneath the deck, there are icicles, and a small waterfall. Behind the deck, however, is the Bridal Veil Falls. The photo was taken on a sunny day with clouds.

The railing is 20 ft (6 m) from the falls, so you can’t get closer than that. I took my poncho hood off for a few moments for photos and could feel the water dripping down onto my back. The water felt chilly but refreshing from the summer heat.

Melissa wearing a yellow poncho, standing on the Hurricane Deck at Cave of the Winds, located on the NY side of the Niagara Falls, on a cloudy day. Right behind her is a large rock formation and the Bridal Veil Falls.

Cave of the Winds Review

We had such a fun time at the Cave of the Winds that we missed meeting up with our tour group afterwards for the last part of the tour.

It was amazing how close I got to the falls, reaching out to touch them. I loved seeing the mighty rush of Niagara from so close. I had experienced the falls from the Canadian side, but this was next-level thrilling.

Our guide even joked that everyone thinks the Canadian side is better because they are actually looking at America. If you haven’t visited Niagara Falls from the US side, you should. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally try this attraction.

While its name is slightly deceiving, as it is not a cave anymore, you can’t get any closer to the Bridal Veil Falls than this.

Top left photo: Melissa and her tour group wearing yellow ponchos, standing on the Hurricane Deck for a Cave of the Winds tour in Niagara Falls. Right behind the deck is the large Bridal Veil Falls and rock formations, forming large mists covering up most of the photo's background. There is a bit of blue skies with clouds peeking through.

Top right photo: Tourists on the Hurricane Deck, which is a red wooden deck at the Cave of the Winds in the Niagara Falls. On the right side of the photo, there is a spout of large mists from the Bridal Veil Falls. At a distance, there is a boat, and skyscrapers from the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls. The photo was taken on a fairly sunny day with clouds.

Bottom left photo: An aerial photo of the Niagara Falls, from Melissa's perspective. You can see a part of her yellow poncho, brown shoes, and the wooden stilts of the Hurricane Deck, which is next to the Cave of the Winds.

Bottom Right photo: Melissa smiling at the camera, wearing a yellow poncho. She is on the Hurricane Deck at the Cave of the Winds, which is in the NY side of the Niagara Falls. Right behind her are rock formations and large mists spouting from the Bridal Veil Falls, taken on a cloudy day.

How to Buy Tickets

You can buy Cave of the Wind Tickets at the Cave of the Winds Plaza on Goat Island, inside Niagara Falls State Park. Tickets are not available for online purchase but you can buy tour tickets online.

An adult ticket starts at 19 USD from May-Oct and 12 USD between Oct and May. Discounts are available for youth and groups.

Note: It is a timed entry attraction, so keep your entry time in mind when purchasing your ticket.

A sign entrance to the Cave of the Winds in the Niagara Falls. The text says "Cave of the Winds Trip Starts Here" with a large green arrow pointing at the bottom. There is a large green tree right behind the sign, with the waterfalls behind the tree. The sky is blue with scattered clouds.

3 Best Cave of the Winds Tours

Tours give you skip-the-line access and a guided experience in Niagara Falls State Park and here are the 3 best options:

Niagara, USA: Boat, Trolley, & Cave of the Winds Tour – A half-day walking tour including the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. You’ll learn the history of Niagara (I did this tour)

Niagara Falls American-Side Tour with Maid of the Mist Boat Ride – Half-day Niagara Falls NY tour including the Maid of the Mist, tour Cave of the Winds and the rest of Niagara Falls State Park. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included

Niagara Falls USA Small Group Tour + Helicopter + Maid of the Mist – An adventure-packed 5-hr tour of Niagara Falls NY. Ride on the Maid of the Mist boat, explore Cave of the Winds, enjoy a helicopter ride over the Falls, and visit Whirpool State Park.

How to Get to Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls

To get to Cave of the Winds, you first need to get to Niagara Falls State Park.

Once in the park, you can walk or take the park trolley. The trolley stops in front of the entrance to the Cave of the Winds.

A group of tourists wearing yellow ponchos walking along the Hurricane Deck on the Cave of the Winds in the Niagara Falls. The water currents are super strong, with large spouts of mists coming from the Bridal Veil Falls.

What to Wear to Cave of the Winds

Choose clothes and shoes that can get wet. While you will wear a yellow poncho, it will not keep you 100% dry, especially your shoes.

Also, wear footwear with a good grip. Running shoes or adventure shoes work best as you don’t want to slip on the wet wooden stairs. While they used to provide rubber sandals, they no longer supply footwear.

I saw many people get soaked in their nice clothes. I also got soaked, but it’s part of the fun of the experience. Just be prepared for it.

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls, NY

voco the Cadence – a boutique hotel in downtown Niagara Falls, NY

The Giacomo – a luxury boutique hotel with free breakfast and parking

Sheraton Niagara Falls – a hotel with a pool and tunnel to the casino

Melissa and her husband, and a large group of tourists wearing yellow ponchos on the Hurricane Deck at Cave of the Winds in Niagara Falls on a sunny day with some clouds. They are looking up at the Bridal Veil Falls spouting large mists of water.

Tips for the Best Cave of the Winds Experience

Bring a waterproof case for your phone, or only use waterproof cameras/phones to capture your memories.
Cave of the Winds is busiest in the summer, especially on long weekends. Visit outside of the summer or on weekdays for fewer crowds.
The Hurricane Deck isn’t open during the winter. If you want to experience the Hurricane Deck, visit outside of the winter season. It is removed every fall and rebuilt in the spring.

FAQs

What is Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls?

Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls is an adventure attraction at the bottom of the American side of the Niagara Gorge, offering visitors a close-up experience with powerful Bridal Veil Falls.

Visitors can follow a series of stairs and wooden walkways to reach the Hurricane Deck where you will feel the rush of waters above and mist spraying as you stand near one of nature’s greatest forces.

There’s no other way to get this close to the Falls, and I loved reaching my hand out to try and reach them! I was so close!

Is the Cave of the Winds in the USA or Canada?

Cave of the Winds is on the USA side of Niagara Falls.

How Long Does It Take to Go Through Cave of the Winds?

It takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to go through Cave of the Winds. You can choose to spend more or less time, but I recommend taking it slow to soak it all in.

I spent 1 hour and 15 minutes exploring the Cave of the Winds.

Is There Parking for Cave of the Winds?

Yes, there is parking available for Cave of the Winds at Niagara Falls State Park.

There are multiple parking lots located throughout the state park, as well as street-side parking options available closer to the entrance of Goat Island Rd. Be sure to check signs for time limits and permit requirements.

Is Cave of the Winds Handicap Accessible?

Yes, Cave of the Winds at Niagara Falls State Park is partially handicap accessible.

The elevator and main walkway can accommodate wheelchairs, making it easy for everyone to experience the power of the falls up close.

The staircases and the Hurricane Deck are not accessible-friendly.

Is Cave of the Winds Open in Winter?

Yes, Cave of the Winds is open during the winter.

But the Hurricane Deck is not, as it gets removed every fall and rebuilt in the spring due to ice buildup.

What is the Difference Between Cave of the Winds and Journey Behind the Falls?

The difference between Cave of the Winds and Journey Behind the Falls is Cave of the Winds takes you beside the American Falls in the US, while Journey Behind the Falls brings visitors up close to the Horseshoe Falls in Canada.

I’ve explored them both and they each offer unique perspectives of Niagara Falls.

Do You Get Wet at Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls?

Yes, you will get wet at Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls. While you will wear a poncho, it will not keep you fully dry.

Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet, and prepare to have fun in the water.

So, Is Cave if the Winds Worth It?

Visiting Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls is worth it for a unique experience that will leave you feeling exhilarated and inspired.

With its incredible views, accessibility for all visitors, and wet-and-wild fun, it’s no wonder why so many people flock to this attraction each year.

The best Cave of the Winds tour is the Niagara Falls American-Side Tour with Maid of the Mist Boat Ride. It’s the most popular tour and features two of the best Niagara attractions in a single tour.

As long as you come prepared with proper clothing and footwear, nothing can stop you from having an unforgettable time.

Planning on also visiting Niagara Falls, Canada? Read this first:

Visiting Tips for Niagara Falls Winter