I have always been a spelunking enthusiast, and with my job at Mainstream Adventures, I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit and explore some of the best caves in the country! The following are 10 of my favorites, right here in the Midwest.
Meramec Cavern
Not long ago USA Today published a bucket list of the top 60 things to do in the United States before you die. On that list was a visit to Meramec Cavern. This amazing cave system draws more than 100,000 visitors a year from all corners of the Earth. The cave dates back 100’s of millions of years and has quite an interesting history. Cave tours take place year round, and are led by expert rangers. The tour covers a 1.25 mile path and takes you past some of the most beautiful rock formations you will ever see! Cave tours lasts about an hour and a half, and take place on a lighted walkway. Meramec Cavern is located at 1135 Hwy W, in Sullivan, Missouri. For more information, or to start planning your adventure, click here.
The Crystal City Underground
Weather your an adventure junkie like me, or its your first time in a kayak. This is one Adventure you won’t want to miss! Located deep in the heart of the Midwest, lies a one of a kind kayaking experience that you will never forget. Operated by Marsan Canoe and Kayak Tours, this amazing Adventure takes you into the depths of the long forgotten PPG no.9 glass mine. The 3 hour tour takes you up to 400 feet below ground, as you navigate your kayak through the flooded former sand mine. The Crystal City Underground is located at 700 Crystal Ave, in Crystal City, Missouri. For more information, click here.
Bluff Dwellers Cave
Located deep beneath the ground just south of Noel Missouri, lies a beautiful subterranean wonderland. Bluff Dwellers Cave is a rare gem, lost in the Ozark region of Missouri. This cave has a long rich history in the area, dating back over 5,000 years, when Paleo-Indians used the cave as shelter. A tour through Bluff Dwellers Cave, is as much educational as it is beautiful. During the 1 hour guided tour you will hear the history of the cave and learn about all the different mineral formations. Bluff Dwellers Cave is located at 163 Cave Rd Noel Missouri. For more information, click here.
Talking Rocks Cavern
Talking Rocks Cavern was discovered in 1883, by local rabbit hunters. In 1921 the cave was opened to the public and became an instant hit with tourists, and remains so to this day attracting more than 40,000 visitors annually. Talking Rocks Cavern has been referred to as Missouri’s Most Beautiful Cave! Which is quite an honor considering there are over 7,300 known caves in the state. However just one peek inside and its easy to see why it has earned this prestigious nickname. Cave tours consists of an hour long walk taking visitors on a breathtaking vertical decent into a subterranean wonderland. Your tour guide will lead you past several world class formations. Talking Rocks Cavern is located at 423 Fairy Cave Ln. in Branson West, Missouri. For more information, click here.
Fantastic Caverns
Fantastic Caverns is America’s only ride-thru-cave. The 55 minute tour takes place in Jeep drawn trams and is run by expert guides. The path follows an ancient underground river and provides guests an up-close look at beautiful cave formations. The cave is packed full of beautiful rock formations, that have been formed over millions of years. Once inside Fantastic Caverns, tour guides explain the origins of the cave and its formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, soda straws, flowstones, cave pearls and draperies. Fantastic Caverns is located at 4872 N Farm Rd 125, Springfield, MIssouri. For more information, click here.
Marengo Cave
Marengo Cave offers two epic walking tours! The first is a 40-minute tour that winds through formation-filled rooms and past huge flowstone deposits. The second tour takes guests for a walk on the Dripstone Trail. This 60-minute tour is known for delicate soda straws, totem pole stalagmites, and Penny Ceiling. Either tour is fantastic, and I can’t really recommend one over the other. For the more adventurous members of your family, Marengo Cave offers 5 different wild cave tours! These tours allow guests to explore sections of the cave that very few will ever see. These tours involve, walking, crawling, and even scrambling through sometimes tight and narrow passages. Marengo Cave is located at 400 East State Road 64, in Marengo, Indiana. For more information, click here.
The Niagara Cave
On Minnesota’s southern border is a geological marvel known as Niagara Cave. This massive cave located in Harmony, Minnesota was discovered in 1924 when 3 pigs fell into a sinkhole. After spending almost a decade exploring with candles and lanterns, they decided to open the cave up to the public in 1934. It became an instant hit with tourists, and remains so to this day, attracting about 30,000 visitors annually. Consistently rated as one of the top 10 show caves in North America, people travel from all 50 states and over 100 different countries to take the hour long guided tour through the cave. The tour has been described as an educational adventure in nature that you won’t want to miss! Niagara Cave is located at 29842 Co Rd 30, in Harmony, Minnesota. For more information, click here.
The Spook Cave
Located just west of McGregor, lies the Spook Cave Campground. This scenic campground has been providing cave tours since 1955, and remains a popular destination for tourists today. On a boat ride through Spook Cave, the tour guides tell about the discovery and development of the cave. Formations are also pointed out and described. There is no walking involved though low areas in parts of the cave require extensive bending. The tour is underground and out of the weather where the temperature is always 47°F. The Spook Cave is located at 13299 Spook Cave Rd, in McGregor, Iowa. For more information, click here.
Cave of the Mounds
Cave of the Mounds, was discovered in 1939, in Blue Mound Wisconsin, and has been open for cave tours for over 75 years. Since then Cave of the Mounds has become recognized as the premier cave in the upper Midwest, often referred to as the jewel box of America’s show caves. A trip to Cave of the Mounds is an opportunity to create memories which will last a lifetime. Guided tours of this underground wonderland follow paved, lighted walkways everyday of the year. Cave of the Mounds is located at 2975 Cave of the Mounds Road Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. For more information click here.
Crystal Lake Cave
The beautiful rock formations found inside Crystal Lake Cave are literally two million years in the making. The cave system has been described as an underground labyrinth of wondrous mineral formations. The cave tour is a 45 minute guided tour, on flat paved walk ways. This tour takes you past some amazing formations, including; the Swiss Cottage Roof, the Lop-Eared Dog, The Cliff Dwellers, and the gorgeous Lost Gardens! The tour is well lit, and is ran by friendly, expert guides. Crystal Lake Cave Is located at 6684 Crystal Lake Cave Rd Dubuque, IA. For more information, click here.