Minnetonka Cave

Minnetonka Cave is one of the larger limestone caves in the state of Idaho. It is located in Cache National Forest in Bear [Lake County, Idaho], United States, above the village of St. Charles. "Minnetonka" is a misunderstanding of the words Mni and Tanka, derived from one of three Indigenous dialects: Dakota, Lakota or Nakota. "Mni Tanka", pronounced translates into "Big/Large Water". Tours through the cave are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day by Aud-Di Recreational Services, the concessionaire that holds the special use permit from the United States [Forest Service]. The half-mile route through the cave is lined with stalactites and stalagmites.
The cave is a hibernaculum to five different species of bats. One species, the Townsend's Big-eared Bat, while not on the United States [Fish and Wildlife Service list of endangered species|endangered species list] is on the lists of both the State of Idaho and the Forest Service as a species of concern.
The cave has a temperature of 40 degrees year round and restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of White Nose syndrome of bats.