The Cave of Winds

By Martine Mackenzie

Over a century and a half ago, what we know now as The Cave of the Winds was discovered. It was 1834, and the natural cave behind the Bridal Veil Falls in Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls, NY was then named Aeolus’s Cave, after the Greek god of winds. In 1841 guided tours began through Goat Island, descending a staircase to a cave behind the Bridal Veil Falls. A rock fall closed the tour in 1920 for four years. It officially reopened in 1924, bringing visitors to the front of the Bridal Veil Falls instead of behind it. A series of decks and walkways were constructed to access the area. The cave itself was obliterated in a massive 1954 rockfall and subsequent dynamiting of a remaining dangerous overhang.

It’s indeed a thrilling experience very different from the Journey Behind the Falls, which is the attraction on the Canadian side of Niagara. At The Cave of the Winds, you can experience tropical storm-like conditions, as winds sometimes reach up to 68 mph or 109 km/h underneath the falls. An elevator takes sightseers 175 feet or 54 m deep into the Niagara Gorge at the base of the American Falls. Here, excited faces clad in bright yellow ponchos and special footwear provided, follow a tour guide across a series of redwood decks and platforms that allow them to walk right up to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls and be a mere 20 feet or 6m from its billowing torrents where water crashes down on them and flows beneath the decking. Rainbows are often visible from this point, and everyone can experience this attraction as a special deck has been built 150 feet from the base of the Falls designed for handicapped individuals and adults with children in arms.

Each fall, with the end of the tourist season, the decking is removed due to the potential damage caused by the ice buildup that occurs at the Falls during the winter season. Each spring, busy park crews re-install the decking for sightseers from all over the world to access and enjoy the phenomenal experience. Contrary to most engineering practices, the decking itself is not secured to the rocks below by bolts or other construction materials. Instead, the wood beam supports are simply wedged into the rock crevices.

Located on Goat Island at Niagara Falls State Park, The Cave of the Winds is easily accessible by car or even on foot from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Parking is readily available on Goat Island and a simple walk across the Rainbow Bridge to the park takes mere minutes. Just remember to have your passports ready as you will have to cross from Canada into the United States.

Most visitors to The Cave of the Winds will average 45 minutes to an hour and a half during their time at the attraction where the rushing waters looming above, douse them with a generous spray as they face the thundering Falls head-on.