Beneath the surface of America’s diverse landscapes lies a hidden world of wonder:
vast networks of caves and caverns waiting to be explored. These underground
marvels offer a unique glimpse into the Earth’s geological history, showcasing
stunning formations sculpted over millions of years.
From the crystal-clear underground lakes of the Midwest to the otherworldly rock
formations of the Southwest, there’s a subterranean adventure for every type of
explorer. Ready to venture into the depths? Let’s discover 25 of the most
breathtaking caves and caverns the United States has to offer.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
As the world’s longest-known cave system, Mammoth Cave lives up to its name with
over 400 miles of explored passageways. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into another
world as you descend into its vast chambers.
From the iconic ‘Frozen Niagara’ formation to the eerie ‘Bottomless Pit,’ there’s no shortage of awe-inspiring sights.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Descend into a desert wonderland at Carlsbad Caverns. The ‘Big Room’ is a must-
see, large enough to hold 6.2 football fields.
As you explore, keep an eye out for delicate soda straw formations and massive columns. Don’t miss the evening bat flight – a spectacle of nature you won’t soon forget.
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Luray Caverns, Virginia
Step into a natural cathedral at Luray Caverns, home to the world’s largest musical
instrument – the Great Stalacpipe Organ. As you wander through chambers adorned
with towering stone formations, you’ll be serenaded by the ethereal sounds of this
unique instrument.
Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
True to its name, Jewel Cave sparkles with calcite crystals that seem to cover every
surface. As the third-longest cave in the world, it offers a variety of tours, from easy
walks to challenging spelunking adventures.
Keep your eyes peeled for the rare hydromagnesite balloons – delicate formations that seem to defy gravity.
Meramec Caverns, Missouri
Nestled in the Ozarks, Meramec Caverns offers a blend of natural beauty and
American folklore. Once a hideout for Jesse James, these caverns now showcase
stunning formations like the ‘Wine Table’ and ‘Hollywood’ – a seven-story formation
that’s been featured in numerous films.
It’s a journey through both geological and human history.
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Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Home to 95% of the world’s boxwork formations, Wind Cave offers a unique
geological spectacle. These delicate honeycomb-like structures create an
otherworldly atmosphere as you explore the cave’s labyrinthine passages.
Above ground, keep an eye out for bison and elk roaming the mixed-grass prairie.
Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona
Discovered in 1974 and kept secret for years, Kartchner Caverns is a ‘living’ cave
still in the process of formation. Marvel at the 58-foot-tall ‘Kubla Khan’ column, one of
the world’s longest soda straw stalactites, and a forest of pristine stalactites.
The cave’s carefully controlled environment ensures these delicate formations will
continue to grow for generations to come.
Niagara Cave, Minnesota
Don’t let the name fool you – this cave in southeastern Minnesota has nothing to do
with the famous falls. However, it does boast its 60-foot underground waterfall, the
largest in any U.S. cave open to the public.
As you descend 200 feet underground, you’ll also encounter fossils dating back 450 million years. It’s like stepping into a prehistoric time capsule!
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Blanchard Springs Caverns, Arkansas
Tucked away in the Ozark National Forest, Blanchard Springs Caverns offers three
different tours to suit all ages and abilities. The ‘Dripstone Trail’ showcases stunning
flowstone cascades and delicate soda straws, while the challenging ‘Wild Cave Tour’
lets you explore undeveloped parts of the cave.
Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and these caverns are no exception. Descend 180 feet
below ground to explore massive chambers adorned with otherworldly formations.
The ‘Hall of the Mountain King’ will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy
novel. Above ground, challenge yourself on the canopy ropes course for a full day of
adventure.
Fantastic Caverns, Missouri
Imagine exploring a cave without having to walk – that’s the unique experience
offered at Fantastic Caverns, America’s only ride-through cave. Hop aboard a Jeep-
drawn tram and journey through an underground wonderland of massive columns
and delicate formations.
It’s perfect for those who want to experience the beauty of caves without the physical exertion.
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Lost River Caverns, Pennsylvania
Fed by an underground river of unknown origin, Lost River Caverns offers a mystical
journey through five picturesque caverns. The ‘Crystal Chapel,’ with its pristine white
limestone formations, has been the site of numerous weddings.
As you explore, ponder the origins of the artifacts found here, some dating back to 300 BC.
Moaning Cavern, California
Ever wondered what it’s like to rappel into the mouth of a cave? At Moaning Cavern,
you can do just that – descending 165 feet into a massive chamber large enough to
fit the Statue of Liberty.
The cavern gets its name from the eerie moaning sound created by dripping water, which once lured unsuspecting prehistoric animals to their doom. Today, it lures adventurers seeking a unique underground experience.
Ohio Caverns, Ohio
Known as ‘America’s Most Colorful Caverns,’ Ohio Caverns dazzle with their array of
vibrant mineral deposits. The ‘Palace of the Gods’ room showcases some of the
most brilliant white stalactites you’ll ever see, while the rare ‘Umbrella Rock’
formation defies explanation.
It’s a photographer’s paradise hidden beneath the Ohio countryside.
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Craighead Caverns, Tennessee
Home to America’s largest underground lake, Craighead Caverns offers a truly
unique cave experience. Take a boat ride on the crystal-clear waters of ‘The Lost
Sea,’ where you might spot some of the rare blind cavefish that call this place home.
The caverns’ history is just as fascinating as its geology, with tales of Cherokee use
and Confederate mining operations.
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, Montana
Perched high in the mountains, these limestone caverns offer a blend of natural
wonder and physical challenge. You’ll squeeze through tight passages and slide
down natural stone slides as you explore chambers filled with stunning formations.
The ‘Paradise Room,’ with its delicate array of stalactites, is a highlight you won’t
want to miss.
Lehman Caves, Nevada
Located in Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves showcases some of the finest
examples of shield formations in the world. These unusual disc-shaped structures,
along with rare ‘cave bacon’ formations, create an otherworldly landscape underground.
As you explore, consider the Paiute and Shoshone peoples who considered this cave sacred long before its ‘discovery’ by European settlers.
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Cave of the Mounds, Wisconsin
Often called the ‘jewel box’ of American caves, Cave of the Mounds dazzles with its
variety of colorful formations. From the delicate ‘soda straws’ to the massive flowstone formations, every turn reveals a new wonder.
The constant 50°F temperature makes it a perfect year-round destination.
Raccoon Mountain Caverns, Tennessee
With over 5.5 miles of mapped passageways, Raccoon Mountain Caverns offers
something for everyone. The walking tour showcases beautiful formations and
underground streams, while the wild cave tour lets you channel your inner explorer in
undeveloped sections of the cave.
Keep an eye out for the cave-dwelling creatures that call this place home.
Longhorn Cavern State Park, Texas
Carved by an underground river, Longhorn Cavern boasts a unique history as a
Comanche hideout, Confederate stronghold, and even a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
Today, you can explore its smooth-walled chambers and marvel at formations like
the ‘Queen’s Watchdog.’
The Crystal City room, with its glittering calcite deposits, is a highlight you won’t want to miss.
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Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Colorado
Combining natural wonder with adrenaline-pumping thrills, Glenwood Caverns offers
a unique cave experience. Take the gondola up the mountain, then descend into the
caverns to see stunning formations like the ‘Barn’ and ‘Imagination Rock.’
Afterward, brave America’s only alpine coaster or the Giant Canyon Swing for a full day of adventure.
Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park, Pennsylvania
America’s only all-water cavern, Penn’s Cave, offers a unique boat tour through its
crystalline waters. Glide past rimstone dams, massive flowstones, and delicate
stalactites as your guide shares the cave’s geology and folklore.
Above ground, take a wildlife tour to spot wolves, bison, and even mountain lions. It’s a two-for-one natural adventure!
Cosmic Cavern, Arkansas
Home to two of the largest underground lakes in the Ozarks, Cosmic Cavern lives up
to its name with an otherworldly atmosphere. The ‘Silent Splendor’ room, discovered
in 1993, contains some of the longest soda straw formations in the Ozarks.
Keep an eye out for the blind cave trout and salamanders that inhabit the lakes. It’s like
exploring an alien water world!
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Sonora Caverns, Texas
Often called the most beautiful cave in Texas, Sonora Caverns boasts some of the
most active calcite crystal formations in the world. The ‘Butterfly’ formation is a must-
see, along with the delicate helictites that seem to defy gravity.
As you descend 155 feet below ground, you’ll feel like you’re entering a fairy tale realm.
Howe Caverns, New York
Take an 80-minute journey into the Earth at Howe Caverns, New York’s second-
most-visited natural attraction after Niagara Falls. Highlights include a boat ride on
the underground Lake of Venus and the opportunity to see the process of cave
formation happening before your eyes.
For the adventurous, the ‘Signature Rock Discovery Tour’ lets you explore by lantern light, just as the cave’s discoverer did in 1842.
Discover the Secrets of the Earth
From the world’s longest cave system to hidden underground lakes, America’s caves
and caverns offer a wealth of natural wonders waiting to be explored.
Each of these subterranean marvels tells a unique story of geological processes,
ancient history, and the enduring spirit of exploration. So grab a flashlight, don your
helmet, and prepare to be amazed by the hidden wonders beneath your feet.
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