People might not believe it if they haven’t been to Missouri, but the state, which is also known as the Cave State, is home to over 7,000 caves offering a plethora of breathtaking subterranean landscapes just waiting to be explored.
From intricate cave formations to the deep sense of history hidden within their walls, these underground wonders end up amazing everyone who walks through these caves, tourists and locals alike. Each cave showcases the unique features and geological formations of these caves, such as stalactites, stalagmites, and even rare species of bioluminescent fish.
In Missouri, there are caves for a variety of different hiking skill levels and interests across the state. Before visiting, check out this guide to see which caves offer guided tours, self-guided expeditions, hiking, photography, canoeing, and even spelunking for adrenaline-seekers.
Let’s jump in and unearth the hidden gems lying in the depths of Missouri’s bedrock, and prepare to immerse yourself in an otherworldly experience that will leave you in awe!
Marvel Cave
Marvel Cave is probably one of Missouri’s most popular underground attractions. Nestled beneath the beautiful Ozark Mountains, this breathtaking cave is usually a must-visit destination for families and travelers in the area.
Marvel Cave has a fascinating history that dates back to the 1800s when Henry T. Blow, a resourceful local hunter, first discovered it. Now, this historic cave is the central point of the Silver Dollar City theme park, making it a highly visited cave.
Visiting Marvel Cave in Branson is a cool experience for everyone, with its extensive labyrinth of chambers and tunnels. The most impressive of those is the Cathedral Room, which is one of the largest cave entrances in North America.
The cave itself measures about 204 feet high, 225 feet long, and 410 feet wide. Simply put, it’s massive.
Marvel Cave also offers guided tours that cater to various levels of fitness and interests. The Traditional Cave Tour is a one-hour walking tour involving over 600 stairs, making it suitable for those who are physically fit and are looking for an active exploration.
Another option is the Lantern Light Tour, which takes place in the evening and provides an atmospheric, old-fashioned experience using only lanterns to light the way.
Bridal Cave
Located in central Missouri near the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks, Bridal Cave is a beautiful natural attraction visited by many from across the country. The cave actually takes its name from the Native American legend of a wedding ceremony held in the cave’s grand chamber, undoubtedly adding an element of romance to its story. Even today, people can still get married in this gorgeous location, making it a unique yet romantic location to tie the knot.
As visitors explore Bridal Cave, they’ll notice many fascinating geological features around the cave, including a wide variety of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and soda straws. One of the noteworthy formations inside the cave is known as the “Mystery Lake,” which visitors won’t want to miss.
Guided tours are also available daily throughout the year, and walk-in visits to the cave are welcomed. These 60-minute tours, led by professional and knowledgeable guides, not only showcase the natural beauty and geological formations of Bridal Cave but also provide fascinating insights into its history and legends.
Meramec Caverns
Meramec Caverns, located in Stanton, Missouri, is another cave visitors won’t want to miss. Like some of the other caves throughout the state, this cave’s recorded history dates back to the early 18th century.
One of the cave’s main attractions is the “Wine Table,” which is a massive, flat-topped column that’s more than 20 feet tall, resembling a fine banquet table. In addition, the “Mirror Room” leaves visitors in awe with its highly reflective pool of water, which makes the room feel larger and more expansive, but is really just an illusion in the cavern.
Something you’ll learn on the tour is that Meramec Caverns also played a significant role in American history. During the Civil War, the Confederate Army used the cave as a hideout and a source of gunpowder. Later, the infamous outlaw Jesse James and his gang sought refuge within the caverns as well, utilizing its hidden passages and chambers to elude capture.
In addition to the tours, the surrounding Meramec Caverns park offers a ton of outdoor activities such as camping, canoeing, and zip-lining, making this a fun stop for the whole family.
Onondaga Cave
Onondaga Cave is located right in the heart of Missouri, within Onondaga Cave State Park. With an array of breathtaking underground rock formations, this cave has everything you’d want to see when exploring the underworld: stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones.
Since its finding, this cave has been a popular destination for cave enthusiasts and people traveling throughout Missouri due to the immaculate condition and impressive size of its features. The underground river, the Meramec River, just adds to the cave’s allure and is a drawing point for visitors.
Some of the highlights of the Onondaga Cave tour include:
- King’s Canopy: a massive shelf of flowstone resembling a royal canopy
- Lily Pad Room: an area with calcite formations resembling lily pads
- Queen’s Canopy: a delicate and beautiful array of stalactites and draperies
The guided tours are great for visitors of all ages and take about 90 minutes to complete the entire thing. They operate seasonally, from April to October, just in time for any spring break or summer plans.
Mark Twain Cave
Mark Twain Cave, located near Hannibal, Missouri, is, of course, named after the famous American author who immortalized this very cave in his classic novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
The cave features hundreds of winding passageways, with beautiful formations such as stalactites and stalagmites. Visitors can enjoy guided tours that delve into the history of the cave and its rich connection to Mark Twain and literature.
As an added bonus, along the tour, guests might learn about the outlaw Jesse James’s reported connection to the cave.
Cameron Cave
Cameron Cave is situated just a short distance from Mark Twain Cave and is part of the same cave complex, making it an easy add-on after exploring Mark Twain Cave. While the caves are close in distance, there is still a ton of information to learn from exploring Cameron Cave as well. This cave is actually less developed and more rugged, providing a more natural experience for adventurous visitors.
Stark Caverns
Stark Caverns are located near the small town of Eldon, Missouri, not too far away from Lake of the Ozarks.
Before Charles Stark (hence the name) discovered it, it’s believed that it was well known to Native American tribes, who used it for food storage. It also housed cattle, and later on, church services were even held inside the cavern.
The cave has a clean water supply, which came in handy during the prohibition era in the United States, and moonshine makers used the freshwater pools to make their (illegal) product.
The caverns offer guided tours that provide a lot of helpful information about the cave’s history and geology. The cave is also home to fascinating fossils and various cave-dwelling creatures, which make exploring this cave even more exciting for the whole family.
For those seeking even more adventure, Stark Caverns offers more than just a stroll through the cave chambers. Visitors can even sign up for the Adventure Tour, which allows them to crawl through the tight, harrowing passageways, traverse tight spaces, and uncover hidden sections of the cave. This experience is definitely not for the faint of heart, making it perfect for adrenaline junkies and adventure-seekers alike. If you’re claustrophobic at all, you might want to stay away from this experience.
Fantastic Caverns
Fantastic Caverns, located near Springfield, Missouri, is another cave to add to your list as you traverse through Missouri. As the only ride-through cave in North America, Fantastic Caverns offers a well… fantastic experience through its underground beauty. The cave was first discovered in 1862, but the tram tours actually began in the 1960s, allowing visitors of all ages to appreciate its natural formations with ease.
The formations inside Fantastic Caverns are awe-inspiring, with stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones showcasing the power of time and geological processes, which can be a great learning experiences for people of all ages.
One notable feature of Fantastic Caverns is its commitment to environmental conservation. The cave is home to several species, including three types of bats, opossums, and cave salamanders, and to preserve the delicate ecosystems, the caverns are diligently protected and maintained.
Bluff Dwellers Cave
Another cave located in the popular Ozark hills of southwestern Missouri, this cave system has been enjoyed by thousands since it opened to the public almost 100 years back in 1927.
Visitors to Bluff Dwellers Cave can participate in guided tours, which are offered daily. These tours last approximately 45 minutes to an hour and are led by experienced, knowledgeable spelunkers who know Bluff Dwellers Cave better than anyone. These tours are designed for all ages, making this cave a great destination for families, school groups, and even experienced explorers who are just looking to learn a little bit more about this Missouri cave.
Aside from its natural beauty, the cave holds significant historical value, as the artifacts discovered inside the cave indicate it was inhabited by prehistoric Native Americans over 12,000 years ago. These findings include arrowheads, pottery fragments, and tools, which serve as a testament to the area’s ancient and complex history.
Smallin Civil War Cave
To finish off our list, Smallin Civil War Cave is a quaint cave also located in the Ozark mountains. The cave only spans 55 feet in height and is just over 100 feet in width. Don’t let the size fool you though. You can still take an hour-long tour of the cave, exploring the natural and historic wonders of the cave.
This cave tour is well known for its accessible features, including a paved area that winds through the cave. For the history buff who decided to tag along for more than just the cave, you’ll also see several historic artifacts.