SOME OF MOST AWE-INSPIRING CAVES IN US
These geological wonders are worth the excursion
By Megan Johnson
You may not realize that the U.S. is filled with hidden, mysterious caves. Several are part of the national or state parks, and they’re worth the excursion. Whether you are a thrill-seeker looking for an adventurous exploration of a cave, or like the intimate, magical side, the United States has plenty to offer.
Mammoth Cave National Park: Brownsville, Kentucky
Formed over 10 million years ago, with over 400 miles of cave passage, Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world. Established as a national park in 1941, it was named after its size, not the woolly ancient animal. Explore the caves by taking one of the several tours offered, and above ground, you can camp, hike on the over 85 miles of trails, kayak on the Green and Nolin Rivers and more. Underground, you’ll see amazing sights like the Star Chamber that seems like you are looking at a starry night sky, not specks on the ceiling; Lovers Leap, which is lined with signatures of visitors from the past; or the famous Gothic Avenue, named for the formations that are similar to Gothic architecture.
Wind Cave National Park: Hot Springs, South Dakota
Due to changes in the atmospheric pressure in and out of the cave, the caves tend to “breathe,” or produce winds, hence the name of Wind Cave National Park. Filled with hundreds of passageways and rooms, some still being discovered, you’ll be amazed by this underground wonder. For thrill-seekers, there is the Wild Cave Tour, where you don hard hats and crawl through tight spaces, and for the less adventurous, there are an array of less strenuous tours available. (Note: the Wild Cave Tour is not available in 2021.)
Kartchner Caverns
State Park: Benson, Arizona
Discovered only less than 50 years ago, Kartchner Caverns was dedicated as a state park in 1999. It is home to one of the world’s longest soda straw stalactites, measuring in at over 21 feet long, the world’s extensive formation of brushite moonmilk, plus the first reported occurrences of “turnip shields” and “birdsnest” needle quartz formations. Besides touring the caves, you can camp, hike and view wildlife. Kartchner has also been given an International Dark Sky Park Designation, meaning that there is minimal outdoor lighting to interfere with the view of the night sky, giving breathtaking views of the stars.
Carlsbad Caverns:
New Mexico
Perhaps the most wellknown cave in the U.S., Carlsbad Caverns is home to over 100 caves, with more believed to be discovered. The most recent room discovered was on Oct. 31, 2013, giving it the name “Halloween Hall.” You will be amazed by chambers like the Big Room, which spans over 8 acres, and is the largest readily accessible cave chamber in North America. There are spots of the caverns you can explore on your own, or you can take a ranger guided tour, many of which require crawling. Please note, ranger-guided tours are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.
Black Chasm Cavern: Volcano, California
Declared a National Natural Landmark in 1976, Black Chasm Cavern is abound with helictites, which are formations that seem to defy the laws of gravity with how they grow every which way, a formation that is found in only 5% of caves in the world. You can tour the caverns, as well as take a tour of the Miners Trail, dating back to the California Gold Rush during the 19th century.
Luray Caverns:
Luray, Virginia
The largest caverns in the Eastern United States, the Luray Caverns have been dubbed “Geologies Hall of Fame,” according to the official website. A registered natural landmark, you’ll be dazzled by sights like the Great Stalacpipe Organ, the world’s largest musical instrument, which, according to the official website, “literally makes stalactites sing by gently tapping them throughout three acres of the caverns.” It is played live during each tour, so you should get a chance to hear it if you go. You’ll also be amazed by the mirror image of the stalactites given by Dream Lake, and Titania’s Veil, which showcases calcite in its purest form.
Moaning Caverns: Vallecito, California
Getting its name from the “moaning” sounds that the caves sometimes would emit (due to low water levels in holes in the rock), Moaning Caverns houses the largest single cave chamber in California. Although rare now, the moaning sounds were thought to have lured gold miners to the caverns in the 19th century, while MiWok Indian lore said it was a stone giant who lured people into the caves, and ultimately to their deaths. Which might explain why several human remains have been found in the cavern, some dating back as far as 12,000 years ago. Their most popular tour is the Spiral Tour, which leads you down a 100-foot-high seven-spiral staircase, and is for visitors of any age. For the more adventurous (and those older than 12 years old), there is the Expedition Tour, which requires hard hats, crawling and lots of wriggling.
Lost Sea Caverns: Sweetwater, Tennessee
Listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as America’s largest underground lake, the Lost Sea Caverns is a museum in and of itself: from an array of Native American artifacts found, bones of a Pleistocene jaguar from 20,000 years ago and dates etched in the rock by visitors from the past. Boat tours on glass-bottomed boats will take you to the lost sea after a tour of the caverns, and for groups of 12 or more, there is the option to experience the wild cave tour, where you not only get a more close-up look of the cave, but you can spend the night! You can also visit their general store, ice cream parlor, gem mine and glassblower, and cafe, the Cavern Kitchen.