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The 10 Best Caverns & Caves in United States, United States
Spanning 2,800 miles (4,506 kilometers) from east to west, the US is a vast patchwork of landscapes and metropolises. From Arizona’s red-rocked canyons and California’s coastal beaches to New York’s big city and Virginia’s storied past, it covers any topic any traveler could want or need.
Restaurants in United States
1. Jarvis Estate
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 319 reviews
Jarvis Estate is a family owned winery dedicated to crafting a limited quantity of preeminent wines from our sustainably farmed, estate vineyards in the rugged hillside, four miles east of downtown Napa Valley. The Jarvis Estate winemaking facility is entirely contained within 45,000 square feet of cave tunneled into the scenic Vaca Mountains,and is not only a visual masterpiece, but a technical masterpiece as well. Wines are produced only from estate grown grapes and are cave-aged to perfection prior to release. Varietals include: Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Tempranillo and a two proprietary Bordeaux blends.
Reviewed By randybH2055JS - Kalamazoo, United States
This is such a cool place to visit. The entire winery is located within the massive network of man-made caves. Once the grapes go in, they never see the light of day until they emerge as bottled wine. You will tour the caves, see where the grapes are crushed, wine fermented, huge oak bariques, barrels, bottling area, tasting rooms, banquet rooms (huge), etc. Even an underground river which provides the proper natural humidity in the caves. Great winery story. You will hear about the "Science Project"...fantastic. Don't miss this one.
2. Crystal Onyx Cave
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 349 reviews
CRYSTAL ONYX Cave, one of Kentucky's premier show cave with beautiful formations throughout. Tour group sizes are small, with a slow pace. The steps, trails, handrails & lighting have recently been renovated. NOTE theirs another local cave using a similar name, we are CRYSTAL ONYX Cave, est 1960. We are family owned & operated with a laid back approach & unscripted tours. We allow plenty of time to take pictures, relax & enjoy our formation filled cave. NO reservations needed, 1 hour tours on approx. 35 minute departures. Seasonal open everyday March-Oct. 31. Check out our web site for off season tour availability & other useful information. Just 2 miles east of 65 on 90 to Prewitts Knob Road.
Reviewed By schultkr
What an awesome experience!! Great cave, excellent tour guide, who happened to be the owner and gave a lot of history and was a lot of fun! A natural wonder you should definitely check out.
3. Big Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 982 reviews
The largest cavern in Carlsbad Caverns.
Reviewed By 277vincentm - New Orleans, United States
My review will focus on what to expect during the Covid pandemic. My caving has gone from Mammoth—the largest cave complex under earth on Earth—to Phra Nang Cave—hardly big enough for pirates to bury a decent-sized chest in, but notable as the sanctuary of a deity who probably pre-dates Buddhism. I’d been to Carlsbad before, but was going cross-country with a buddy and decided take a detour to the cavern. The main event at Carlsbad is the Big Room. Normally there are two ways to get to it: (A) hike down via a diabolically steep and arduous “Natural Entrance” path that goes past the Devil’s Spring and Devil’s Den, ending 750 feet underground, a 1.25 mile / 2-km hike taking you an hour or more; or (B) take an elevator down; normally the line moves reasonably fast. Where the natural entrance reaches the underground floor of the elevator, normally you have three more options: you can (C) take a ranger-guided tour through several spectacular chambers including the King’s Palace and Queen’s Chamber, (D) hike the Big Room route, or (E) do ‘em both. Either (C) or (D) will take you about 75 minutes: so you can do both in under 3 hours. Depends how long you stop to take in the views, and whether you read all the placards—I recommend you do. If you’re in a wheel-chair, you take the elevator down and then do half of the Big Room tour. You have to take a short-cut back, so you won’t see the Top of the Cross, Totem Pole, and views of the lower cave, Mirror Lake, and “bottomless pit.” Tough, but the NPS is right: just past the wheelchair barricade there’s a steep drop. Seeing the Big Room of Carlsbad Caverns really is worth the trip in itself. Three weeks ago, when I checked the website, the Covid-related rules were: (1) the Ranger-guided tours were cancelled—scratch off the royal cave-family. (2) you had to hike down via the Natural Entrance path—the only folks allowed to go by elevator were mobility-impaired visitors. (3) You had to arrive before 1:30 to be allowed in. A week ago, restrictions were relaxed a bit. All visitors can now take the elevator either up or down, but lines are slow, because (a) the elevators take several minutes to go up or down 750 ft, (b) a work crew is frequently wiping down one of the two elevators putting it out of service, and (c) Rangers limit passengers to 2 or 3 per trip—no packing everyone in like sardines. All good reasons. One plus: because folks can now take the elevators both up and down, the last entry time was changed, from 1:30 to 2:45 if memory serves me right. Unfortunately social distancing requirements will probably kill ranger tours, as they should, until the pandemic’s over. The NPS emergency rules are sensible and commendable. You could wait a year or two. I’d say, see Carlsberg now if you can. But my #1 recommendation is that you check the NPS’s Carlsbad Caverns webpage for the latest information, both as you’re planning your trip, and a day or two before your intended arrival. A single Visitor Center ranger contracting Covid-19 might shut the Cavern down.
4. Cave of the Winds
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,081 reviews
This exciting tour outfits you in a hooded raincoat and takes you into a cave and then along a catwalk near the foot of the falls for an up-close, wet and very rewarding view of the thunderous, cascading waters.
Reviewed By Kierab2013
This was such a cool experience! My family and I walked to this attraction from the Rainbow Bridge. This tour had been much lower on our To-Do list, when it should have been at the top! We went on a Monday in late August and did NOT purchase our tickets ahead of time. We purchased our tickets when we got to the stand for the next available tour that day, which ended up being in 10 minutes. We didn't have to wait long at all! You get a quick history review about the area via a room like a museum, then watch a short video about the area. Finally, you get a poncho and velcro sandals (you can keep them or recycle afterwards) and then you're set to start your self-paced tour! Keep in mind there is no where to keep your belongings except with/on you (I wore a giant backpack under my poncho and most everything stayed dry inside it - they don't allow food or drinks, except water but they said if they don't see the food then it's fine). If you don't want to get drenched, avoid the Hurricane Deck. You will get great views of the American and Bridal Veil Falls and a slight view of the Horseshoe Falls (but for that I recommend walking a bit further from where you bought the tickets to view the top of the horseshoe falls).
5. Tuckaleechee Caverns
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,463 reviews
Tuckaleechee Caverns is a massive cave / cavern system and tourist attraction located in Townsend, Tennessee awarded 5 stars by AAA. Tuckaleechee Caverns is a short drive from Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Townsend, Cades Cove, Knoxville and Chattanooga. Tuckaleechee Caverns is the Highest rated cave or cavern in the Eastern US awarded 5 star "GEM" attraction by AAA. The "Big Room" is the largest cave/cavern room that is open to the public in the eastern United States could almost fit a football stadium. Many stalagmites reach over 24 feet tall with flow-stone formations over hundreds of feet in length and width. Tuckaleechee Caverns is proud to have the tallest underground waterfall in the eastern United States, named "Silver Falls", a 210 foot two-tier waterfall. OPEN - MARCH 1 to NOVEMBER 30.
Reviewed By cl8on
Great place, beautiful caverns, Zach who was our tour guide had a great sense of humor and enjoyed talking. Always had jokes. Many cool formations and other must see things.
6. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By PrairiePaddler - Madison, United States
Outstanding, definitely one of the better narrated scenic cruises we've experienced. Our 2-1/2 hour Grand Tour was conducted by a lifetime local resident who grew up on the water and had a wealth of information to share. The ice caves on Devil's Island alone are worth the trip.
7. Old Man's Cave
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 326 reviews
Reviewed By MentorGrl - Concord, United States
I first visited here about nine years ago with my college aged daughter. This time, I visited with my husband. This is a truly amazing Ohio attraction. The rock formations, the forest, the trails, the caves, the water falls, they are all just mesmerizing ... and it feels like you've been transported to another space and time. There is a new visitor center that features an interesting history of the park with maps, photos and details and on how the trails were developed by the Conservation Corps back in the 1930s. We only hiked from the Upper Falls to Old Man's Cave and back to the visitor center and it took a little more than an hour. You could easily spend a half a day. And because we'd like to see the Lower Falls and the Rock House, we'll be back! It is definitely worth a visit, regardless of the time of year.
8. Ash Cave
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 520 reviews
Reviewed By jdenz01 - Saint Clair Shores, United States
This trail and location was by far my favorite. A nice plus is that the trail is wheelchair/mobility challenged friendly. The standard return trail goes up some into the hills so those that wish for that experience can have it, while the accessible trail also remains an option. It’s a pretty trail with lots of nature, and the sandy large Ash Cave is really beautiful. If you’re going to Hocking Hills, this is my number one recommendation from the few trails we did.
9. Luray Caverns
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,625 reviews
Discover Eastern America’s largest and most popular caverns. 4,000,000 centuries in the making, this “must see” U.S. Natural Landmark is noted for the profuse variety of formations and unsurpassed natural color. One hour tours from well-lighted, paved walkways lead visitors through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high. Enormous chambers are filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies and crystal-clear pools. Also in this subterranean wonderland, “hear rocks sing” as you experience the haunting sounds of the world’s largest musical instrument, The Great Stalacpipe Organ. Completely unique are the beautiful tones created by this one-of-a-kind instrument, which makes music of concert quality from the surrounding stalactite formations covering more than three acres.
Reviewed By drcrawford240 - Tuckerton, United States
My best friend was there 30 years ago with her parents and couldn't wait to bring her son and me and my daughter there to see it and as soon as we went down the steps into the cavern, I was in awe of the beauty that this natural wonder is. Our tour guide, Phillip, was a very knowledgeable and friendly young man that answered every question we asked and even have us some great ideas for where to hike in Shenandoah Valley when we asked him. The food concessions were very reasonably priced and tasty and the prices in the gift shop were surprisingly reasonable as well. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.
10. Marvel Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 731 reviews
A highlight of the Silver Dollar City theme park, this constantly evolving wet limestone cave under the Ozark Mountains, dating back to the 1500s, provides a one-hour tour of fascinating rooms and passageways. The cave's entryway is the largest in the U.S.
Reviewed By daxxday
This was a nice cave to tour! It does have a lot of steps and some places you need to duck down but the tour guides are very upfront about this when explaining the tour! Our 10 yr old had no problems with it and neither did we. We enjoyed seeing all the formations and our guide Michael was fun and informative.
