July 5, 2025 (Sat.) – Bethlehem Cave.

We were beyond excited for this day—spelunking adventure ahead! So grateful for the rare opportunity to explore Bethlehem Cave, a privately owned gem tucked near Piedmont, SD, thanks to the extended Aspaas family connection (our sister-in-law Jill Wilkerson’s sister’s husband’s cousins—or something like that!).

We kicked off early at 6:00 AM to prep our gear (headlamps, water, jackets, etc.), then hit the road by 8:30 for what should’ve been a straightforward hour-plus drive. Of course, we like detours—and since Kyle Aspaas’ very specific directions added about 20 extra minutes, Kirk went rogue, choosing the “more direct” route since we were coming from the opposite direction. Let’s just say, direct doesn’t mean smooth. Cue gravel roads, boulder fields, and off-road twists that made us wish we still had our SxS! There was a reason that those very specific directions were provided to Kyle and then passed on to us! We learned the hard way! 

Eventually, we hit a fork in the road. GPS said right. Lynn’s sleuthing (with actual coordinates!) said left. We chose… right, because obviously the GPS never leads you astray.  But fate stepped in: a random man appeared out of nowhere on a peaceful stroll, and when we asked if he knew Bethlehem Cave, he casually replied, “Yes, my brother owns it.” Jackpot! 

Turns out Chad was the gatekeeper we didn’t know we needed—and yep, Lynn was right all along. Of course.

He even told us no one comes from the south end of Bethlehem Road—for very good reason. We were apparently brave (or stubborn, take your pick). No wonder very specific directions were provided! 

After arriving, we joined the Aspaas family and their cousins for a private cave tour led by Kurt, the owner and a walking encyclopedia of the site’s wild history. This cave has seen it all: a tourist hotspot, a monastery, a first responder training site, and even some sketchy escapades during past Sturgis Rallies. The cave is ~60+ acres, and there’s a full network of 7–10 miles of trails inside (possibly more).

Inside, the cave was a chilly 49°, but the climbing and exploring warmed us up fast. Headlamps on, darkness all around, we navigated through crystal formations, underground pools, and mineral-packed walls that were totally awe-inspiring. We spent over an hour (or two??) underground, and Lynn—despite some queasy spells (maybe elevation, maybe stair-induced vertigo?)—loved the main route and declared she’d absolutely do it again. Kirk? He’s already ready for more offshoots and hours of spelunking!

Afterward, Kurt & Chad’s families welcomed us with an unexpected brunch and great conversation. There’s even a huge tower with one side as a rock-climbing wall onsite, but Lynn respectfully skipped the heights—two feet on the ground, thank you very much. Her vertigo doesn’t mess around. We also came across gravestones of former inhabitants on the property, lending even more character to the already fascinating land.

We wrapped up around 2:30 PM, taking the northern route back (way gentler on the kidneys!) and found Otis perfectly content in the RV, proving once again that he’s a road warrior.

Later that evening, we joined the Aspaas family for dinner—a heartwarming close to a day full of adventure, history, and family ties. We’re incredibly grateful for the experience, and let’s face it, Jewel Cave and Wind Cave are going to have a tough act to follow. Maybe next time!

As night fell, so did the storms—thunder, lightning, and skies lit up white, even with our eyes shut. No photos… we were too tired after such a thrilling day.

An unforgettable experience—caves, connection, and cosmic finales. A huge thank you to the Aspaas family for inviting us and the wonderful hospitality of the Fjelland family.  We can’t thank you enough!

Note: this blog post took 8.5 hours with short breaks in between to clean, do laundry, and eat!

Weather – High 75*, Low 56*. Winds 6 mph. (Rapid City area weather near the caves about 10* warmer).

Traffic – None.

Food – Pounding Fathers with the Aspaas family.

Notable – Bethlehem Cave, meeting the Fjelland family, dinner with the Aspaas family.