Early June Programs at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park to Feature Talks on Bats, Snakes, Flowers

Bats, snakes and flowers are the themes of talks that will be featured at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park in early June.

The Caverns will welcome guest speaker Dan Bachen on Friday, June 3, at 8 p.m. at the Campground Amphitheater. The park is home to 12 species of bats. Bachen will present a natural history of bats in the state and the current state of research and knowledge surrounding them.

Caverns park ranger Ramona Radonich will present “Goodness Snakes Alive!” on Saturday, June 4, at 8 p.m. at the Campground Amphitheater. In this program, visitors will learn about the prairie rattlesnake, which is native to the park ecosystem. Visitors will discover what makes these reptiles rattle, how to avoid being bitten, and what to do if you are ever bitten by a rattlesnake (spoiler alert: Don’t get bitten). By understanding rattlesnakes, we can develop a healthy respect for these amazing reptiles that will help keep us safe in rattlesnake country.

Many people look at flowers and see beautiful colors and intricate designs. But the delicate-looking flower is really a powerful structure that creates optimal conditions to ensure the survival of its offspring. Join park ranger Radonich for “Flower Power”, an in-depth discovery of what’s really happening behind the glamor of the flower. The group will meet at the main visitor center at 9 a.m. for a brief talk about flowers and then head out on a trail to hunt for wildflowers. This program will last until 11 a.m.

For a complete list of events happening at the Caverns this summer, visit stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is about 15 miles southeast of Whitehall, along Montana Highway 2. For more information about the park, please visit stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns or call 406-287-3541.