Where to fly: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Where to fly: Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF). Pro tip: For a true Midwestern dining experience—picture spacious booths, greasy food, and plenty of small-town ambiance— enjoy at least one meal at Don's Downtown Diner in nearby Bellefontaine, Ohio. For those visitors who would like to explore the gorgeous depths of the cave, which is one of the most popular destinations in Texas, there are multiple tours offered, from the Hidden Passages Tour to the Canopy Ropes Course just outside of the network of caves. Pro tip: Revel in the beautiful countryside and amazing amenities at the Cedar Creek Center, where you'll have to choose between adorable cottages or breathtaking manors. The Confederate Army mined saltpeter used in the manufacture of gunpowder in the cave during the Civil War. Tuckaleechee Caverns (tuckaleecheecaverns.com) consists of a series of caves, the most remarkable of which is the Big Room, which measures 400 feet long, 300 feet wide and 150 feet deep. This means the formations, which result when minerals are deposited by dripping water, are still changing. Every effort has been made to leave the caverns and ground in their natural state. Located in Bull Shoals. Located 8 miles south of Harrison in Marble Falls. Visitors should be sure to check out the cave's largest lake (pictured here), which forms a spectacular optical illusion and adds a certain mysterious quality to the formations looming from above. While these falls may exist on a smaller scale than that of the Niagara Falls in New York and Canada, Niagara Cave in Minnesota features an impressive 60-foot subterranean waterfall, 100-foot-high ceilings, ancient fossils, unusual limestone rock formations, an echo chamber, and even a wedding chapel for those who want to say "I do" underground. Information can be found at www.caves.org. Take an hour out of your schedule and visit one of Arkansas's best kept secrets! All of our vacation rentals are located in the Hocking Hills of Ohio and are set in individual wooded secluded locations.Central to the State Parks which include Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, Conkle's Hollow, Rockhouse, Lake Logan, Lake Hope, Rockbridge State Nature Preserve, and Rock Stalls Natural Sanctuary. All because of the prince and the incoming first lady. We've gathered the most magical caves from sea to shining sea. Situated on Pigeon Mountain in the Appalachian Plateau of rural Georgia, Ellison's is a top destination for expert cavers and spelunkers from around the world, ready to test their skills on one of the many vertical drops that exist in the cave. The trail is popular and heavily trafficked during the summer and weekends with nice weather, so leave early to avoid a logjam. Where to fly: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Easy access ramps take you to this Arkansas cave, and a non-strenuous trail leads you through it. With more than 195 miles of mapped and surveyed passageways, Jewel Cave in Custer, South Dakota is the third-longest cave in the world. The best time to see Antelope Canyon is during the summer, when the natural light hits its walls at just the right angle to create a warm red glow. You can continue up the trail to reach Mount LeConte. Sip some sweet tea while you learn some southern slang. Below scenic mountains, lush valleys, and clear-running streams is an often dazzling underworld--the limestone caves of the Ozarks. Located in Mountain View. Located on a secluded site used by the Indians hundreds of years before the first European settlers came to the area. Ashley hails from Dayton, Ohio, and has more than six years of experience in print and digital media. This magical cavern in Volcano, California is well-known for its bright blue lake surrounded by thousands of sparkling helictites, a mineral that's only present in around 5 percent of all caves in existence. Guided tours, historic gift and rock shop and gem stone panning also available. Located in Branson's Silver Dollar City amusement park, the Marvel Cave features a number of breathtaking feats of geology, including the "Cathedral Room," the largest cave entrance room in the U.S. Based on the 600 stairs that visitors are required to climb throughout every tour, this trek into what was once called the "Devil's Den" by the ancient Osage Native Americans is not for the faint of heart. Offers 45-50 minute tours through magnificent caverns formed 350 million years ago. Of course, the hotel has been updated to fit the times, but still maintains its historic charm. It's split into two sections—the "Upper Antelope Canyon" (otherwise known as "The Crack") and the "Lower Antelope Canyon" (or "The Corkscrew"). Cave Tours Available until Nov. 1, 2020: See winter operational hours above. Tuckaleechee Caverns. Regardless of the weather outside, visitors can sit back, relax and get away from it all by boarding Jeep-drawn trams and experiencing the natural beauty of America’s Ride-Thru Cave. For those looking for a personalized cavern experience, guided tours are offered throughout the year. Rock climbers, no matter their skill level, are also welcome to get vertical on the Polar Caves' Glacial Wall, where they can also find different kinds of mica minerals like purple lepidolite, black biotite, brown phlogopite, and clear muscovite as they're climbing. An admission fee is charged to tour the caverns. Only the most adventurous should embark on this difficult hike through the Ape Cave in Washington state. All Rights Reserved. Pro tip: Located just six miles outside of Sweetwater is the Tsali Notch Vineyard. Visitors pay an admission fee to explore the caves. It's believed that the "moaning" lured the original gold miners to its depths in the 19th century. His articles have appeared in various publications including "The New York Times," "Atlanta-Journal Constitution" and the "San Francisco Chronicle." Pro tip: After your trek through the canyon, remain immersed in the impressive scenery by booking a room at the Lake Powell Resort, where you can take a boat tour, dinner cruise, or rent a powerboat to explore the perimeters of the resort. This slot canyon in Arizona is one of the most awe-inspiring caves in the world. Hikers exploring the mountains near the Buffalo National River may also encounter wild caves such as the Lost Valley Trail Cave that houses a 35 foot waterfall. The walk covers about three quarters of a mile of the caverns along sloping pathways before reaching the largest underground lake in the United States. Its comfortable and sophisticated rooms provide immaculate views of the surrounding rural countryside. The Luray Caverns in Luray, Virginia are the biggest set of caverns in the Eastern United States. Tours through this series of caverns have amazed guests for decades, with its limestone "Wine Table" and seven-story mansion built underground. After a trip through the cavern, visitors can revel in the wonders of the Zen Garden, an area full of marble monoliths that were uncovered during the hydraulic mining of the Gold Rush era. It's 500 feet in length and about 80 feet high. experience Mammoth Cave in a number of different ways, 30 Enchanting Hideaways in the U.S. You've Never Heard of. Pro tip: Located in the heart of the Hot Springs historic district, the Red Rock River Resort Hotel & Spa combines luxury with 19th-century architecture. From Jesse James' infamous hideout to underwater lakes with limitless depths, American caves are far from the dark and grimy interiors of the Earth that you might have been picturing. More than a century after its discovery, visitors can tour Lava River Cave between May and September. You can also camp in these state parks and enjoy a whole weekend of outdoor adventures in one trip. Tours along lighted, paved walkways lead visitors through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10-stories high, towering stone formations, and natural wonders at every turn. Around some swirl legends and ghost tales. Whether you're spending the night at the post office or the county jail, this immersive history lesson is worth every penny. Make sure you bring your camera to capture this wonderful cavern and its formations. Visitors to the Ohio Caverns will also have a chance to see a truly ancient creation in the flesh. Pro tip: After your trek through the cave, head to nearby Bend to indulge in some of the sweetest treats the city has to offer at Foxtail Bakeshop & Kitchen. It features the two deepest pits in the continental United States—"Fantastic" (586 feet) and "Incredible" (440 feet)—along with five other vertical drops down to the bottom. Pro tip: For the quintessential southern vacation, book a room at Arkansas' majestic Wildflower B&B, boasting cozy rooms and daily delicious home-cooked breakfast on its rustic front porch. Situated at the intersection of Texas Hill Country and the Chihuahuan Desert, the Caverns of Sonora have become known as "crystal kingdoms," thanks to the thousands of calcite crystal formations lining its walls. © Copyright 2020 Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Top 20 things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Visitors can experience Mammoth Cave in a number of different ways, from easy walking tours, to a stop at the "Frozen Niagara," to historic and geologic tours focusing on aspects of the cave system that make it one of the most special on the planet. Located in the heart of California's Gold Country, the Moaning Cavern outside of Vallecito, California is named after the sound that the cavern makes. You'll be completely secluded from the rest of the world, so there's no better time to turn your phone off and take in the beauty of the mountains from your very own kayak. For the current cave tour schedule, click on the Maps, Menus, More link on this page. Some offer other attractions, such as museums, gift shops, a reconstructed mountain village, and more, right on site. Luray Caverns is the largest caverns in the eastern United States, yet walking through feels more akin to an unearthly experience. Where to fly: Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF). In the summers, the coolness inside is a welcome relief from the warm Ozark sun, while in the winter, the cave interior feels warm. Where to fly: Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). No matter the time of year, visitors can embark on a tour of the Lost Sea—and even learn about the caverns' important role in history. Operated by the U.S. Forest Service - offers two guided tours on trails that lead visitors through massive caverns filled with ever-changing formations. Enjoy cave spelunking and exploring? Also find out about the famous Arkansas cave house, located in the Ozark Mountains, where you can host a wedding, dance or reunion inside an actual cave! So, if you can set aside your fear of ghosts, walk, climb, or rappel your way through Moaning Cavern for one of the most breathtaking experiences of your life. In addition to the rich history of the Smoky Mountains, which lend their name to the national park, the area around eastern Tennessee is filled with caves that tell their own story. Pro tip: While you're in Springfield, you'd be remiss if you didn't indulge in a burger and shake at Black Sheep, where every dish makes you feel a little closer to the true spirit of rock 'n roll. Though the Polar Caves in Rumney, New Hampshire are closed during the winter months, you'll find that a visit to this sprawling system of caves surrounded by winding creeks and green forests is well worth the wait.