Quite literally hidden wonders of our planet, the caves of the United States are some of the most fascinating and accessible underground systems in the world—each cave with its own distinct characteristics and stories (if you’ve seen one cave, you have not seen them all).
Whether you’re a seasoned spelunker or a curious traveler, whether you’re looking for a quick peek or a slippery, lantern-lit trek, these underground marvels are worth adding to any travel itinerary.
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1. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Why Visit: Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the longest cave system in the world, with over 400 miles of explored passageways (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg—more miles are being mapped every year). The vastness and complexity of Mammoth Cave make being here truly mind-boggling, and the park offers a variety of tours that cater to different skill levels and interests.
Highlights: The Historic Tour takes you through the Rotunda, an enormous chamber, and past ancient Native American artifacts. The Frozen Niagara Tour showcases stunning flowstone formations that resemble a frozen waterfall, with barely any walk required (just 64 steps).
Interesting Fact: Mammoth Cave was used as a saltpeter mine during the War of 1812, and evidence of early mining operations can still be seen today.
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2. Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
Why Visit: Nestled low in the high Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns National Park contains more than 119 caves formed by sulfuric acid dissolution, a rare process that creates unique formations.
Highlights: The Big Room, a massive chamber equivalent to 14 football fields, is filled with impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations. Don’t miss the evening bat flight, where thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from the cave at sunset.
Interesting Fact: Carlsbad Caverns’ Big Room is the largest accessible cave chamber in North America, providing a vast underground expanse for visitors to explore.
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3. Luray Caverns, Virginia
Why Visit: Luray Caverns, located in the pretty Shenandoah Valley, is the largest cavern in the eastern United States. The caverns are renowned for their fabulous crystal-clear pools and intricate stone formations—and they’re also well-loved for being incredibly well-lit and paved.
Highlights: The Great Stalacpipe Organ, a unique musical instrument that produces tones by tapping stalactites of different sizes, is a must-see. The Dream Lake and the Saracen’s Tent are also popular features.
Interesting Fact: The Great Stalacpipe Organ, created in 1954, is the world’s largest musical instrument. It can be heard throughout the caverns.
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4. Lehman Caves, Nevada
Why Visit: Located in Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves offer an intimate cave experience with guided tours through beautifully “decorated” rooms. At Great Basin, you can also explore mountains and desert, and experience some of the country’s best stargazing—this park has a lot going for it.
Highlights: The Gothic Palace and the Lodge Room are adorned with rare shield formations, and the intricate Parachute Shield is a visitor favorite.
Interesting Fact: Lehman Caves were discovered in the 1880s by Absalom Lehman, a local miner, and have been a popular tourist attraction ever since.
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5. Jewel Cave, South Dakota
Why Visit: Located near Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave is the third-longest cave in the world, with over 200 miles of mapped passageways. Its name derives from the fabulous sparkling calcite crystals that adorn its walls. This writer’s opinion: Jewel Cave is better than Wind Cave—at least in the underground bits.
Highlights: The Scenic Tour is a popular option, featuring the dazzling crystalline formations and the vast chambers of the cave. For the more adventurous, the Historic Lantern Tour offers a glimpse into the early exploration days of the cave.
Interesting Fact: Jewel Cave was discovered in 1900 by local prospectors Frank and Albert Michaud, who noticed a small hole blowing cold air.
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6. Blanchard Springs Caverns, Arkansas
Why Visit: Located in the often-overlooked Ozark National Forest, Blanchard Springs Caverns offers a pristine cave environment with stunning formations and a unique underground river that gives this spot a serene, not spooky, feel.
Highlights: The Dripstone Trail features stunning formations such as the Giant Flowstone and the Cathedral Room. The Discovery Tour delves deeper into the cave’s geological history and includes a visit to the underground river.
Interesting Fact: Blanchard Springs Caverns is a “living” cave, meaning it is still actively forming new formations through the continuous deposit of minerals.
Kartchner Caverns (Wikimedia Commons)
7. Kartchner Caverns, Arizona
Why Visit: Discovered in 1974, Kartchner Caverns is a relatively young cave in terms of public access. It features well-preserved formations and an extensive network of tunnels and chambers.
Highlights: The Rotunda/Throne Room Tour offers a look at the spectacular 21-foot-tall Kubla Khan formation. The Big Room Tour, available seasonally, showcases delicate soda-straw formations and gravity-defying helictites.
Interesting Fact: Kartchner Caverns remained a closely guarded secret for over a decade to protect its pristine condition before being developed into a state park.
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8. Honorable mention: the ice caves of Lake Michigan
The ephemeral ice caves of Lake Michigan draw adventurers and photographers alike to Lake Michigan’s icy shores each winter. Appearing along the lake’s coastline, particularly in areas like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, these temporary wonders are formed by the lake’s relentless wind and waves. As the cold air interacts with the warmer lake water, intricate ice caves, arches, and tunnels take shape, creating a frozen landscape that seems almost otherworldly. Their beauty is fleeting, of course, lasting only as long as the very cold temperatures persist. Once the weather begins to warm, these icy structures melt away, making the ice caves a rare and magical sight that can only be experienced for a short period each year. You’ll have to keep an eye on local updates to time your visit right.
Jacqueline is a travel, nature, and science writer based in Wisconsin. Follow her work on Yahoo Creators—or find it in the wild at publications like National Geographic, Smithsonian, Travel + Leisure, and more.
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Publish date : 2024-08-27 02:55:00
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