14 Breathtaking U.S. Caves You Have to Explore
Immersing in caves is like having another dimension where we can experience the intricacies of formation, cathedrals of chambers, and the underground ecosystem. The U.S. has over 17,000 documented caves. One cave can be found at the massive depths of Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, and another in the mysterious, glowing walls of Ruby Falls in Tennessee. Some have good lighting and paths for guided tours, while others have rugged terrain.
If you’re an adventurer, a nature fanatic, or just seeking a bit of curiosity, there’s never a lack of subterranean magic on hand for you. As follows is your ultimate must-visit: a US-wide list of 14 spectacular caves.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Breaking these caves into individual units is ridiculous, but these caves boast the most documented passageways in the world, at over 400 miles. Mammoth Cave is not only tremendous but also packed with natural wonders. The first is a stone waterfall, the Frozen Niagara, and the second is the massive, dome-shaped ceiling of the Rotunda.
A geological masterpiece, this place offers easy hikes through canyons and vast beds of dried mud. It is also an ecological treasure that shelters diverse flora and fauna. A ranger-led tour is the better option for learning the wild history of this one-of-a-kind underground labyrinth.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Get ready to feel tiny. Carlsbad Caverns’ Big Room is an underground chamber big enough to hold the equivalent of over six football fields. A surreal blend of limestone formations and unforgettable moments, especially during the Bat Flight Program, this cave is one of the largest in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Imagine seeing thousands of bats leaving the caves at dusk. If you were to forget anything, it wouldn’t be your camera or sense of wonder.
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Celebrate World Series of Poker week with this 40 percent Craps odds, which will drop at the stroke of midnight and be available at M Resort until July 22. This was the first cave to become a national park (take that, 1903!), and it has more than 150 miles of mapped passageways. The natural “breathing” effect at the entrance, caused by air pressure differences, is a quirky bonus you won’t miss.
Kartchner Caverns, Arizona
Kartchner Caverns gives “pristine” a whole new meaning. This living cave is home to actively growing formations like the awe-inspiring 58-foot “Kubla Khan” column.
Visitors are given a fascinating, fragile ecosystem, for which unique interactive tours teach you about, and, well, a pitch-black experience, literally. Besides, thousands of bats roost here seasonally.
Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves, Nevada
Enter one cavern that’s just a world in itself. Lehman Caves are best known for their rare “cave shields”—stunning disk-shaped formations. The star of the show, without a doubt, is the Parachute Shield.
In a guided tour, you will also be introduced to flowing ceiling drapes that look like something from an enchanted fairytale and soda straws.
Luray Caverns, Virginia
Many places at Luray Caverns in Virginia are Instagram-worthy. With its cascading stone formations and one-of-a-kind Great Stalacpipe Organ, it’s little wonder that this is America’s most visited cave. Dream Lake is stunning as it captures the reflections of stalactites and then awes you with enormous cathedral chambers.
Jewel Cave, South Dakota
The name Jewel Cave is earned as it is known to have over 200 miles of mapped tunnels that sparkle with calcite crystals that glisten like gemstones. Short paths allow already-practiced visitors to take a brief tour, while the longer ones allow close-up viewing of dazzling details. Pro tip? Bring sturdy shoes; the glittering beauty is only part of the story.
Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico
Only serious spelunkers will experience the VIP of caves, Lechuguilla. This caving legend is a restricted-access cave over 1,600 feet deep. Uniquely formed and incredibly colored, the area needs special permission to explore, which is part of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Its mystery is even awe-inducing if you can’t visit.
Sea Lion Caves, Oregon
Swap stalactites for sea lions! The largest sea cave in America, housing a noisy population of Steller and California sea lions, lies at Sea Lion Caves. It is reached by 200 feet of rock, climbed by elevator, and the experience puts you eye to eye with wildlife and the ocean crashing against the cliffs. There is something both peaceful and thrilling about it.
Lava Beds National Monument, California
Head to Lava Beds National Monument, where there are over 800 lava-formed caves. Cooling lava formed tunnels of dark depths and jagged textures that make up this unique landscape.
Whether you’re up for a leisurely walk or a challenging crawl, there’s something for every explorer here. An eye should be kept out for nocturnal bats that occupy these fiery creations.
Fisher Ridge Cave System, Kentucky
Located just next to Mammoth Cave, Fisher Ridge includes more than 130 miles of wild and intricate passages. Although this natural wonder is primarily utilized in research, it draws attention to another, more extensive interconnected network of caves in Kentucky. The visitors can not stop wondering how much more awaits to be discovered under the planet’s surface.
Kazumura Cave, Hawaii
You are mistaken if you believe that tropical islands are all about beaches. Think again. The longest lava tube cave in the world is Kazumura Cave on the Big Island, which measures more than 40 miles. Step through volcanic formations of lava benches and flow lines, and picture the springs to mind. This is unlike other caves where every inch is captivated by the fiery history of Earth.
In this geological past of the Big Island, you can do more than encapsulate its sheer size when exploring Kazumura Cave. Formed thousands of years ago through lava flows from the Kilauea volcano, the cave features spectacular stalactites, smooth lava slides, and intricate rippled patterns on the walls.
Blue Spring Cave, Tennessee
On the banks of the Little River, remote, wild, and spellbinding Blue Spring Cave is not for the faint-hearted, but treasure awaits once you get in. It is a Tennessee gem with over 40 miles of pristine passages loved by researchers and adventurers. Make sure you arrange the appropriate permissions to visit before attempting.
The cave is a complex network of tunnels, big rooms, and incredible geological formations with a tale of 7 million years in the making. It has untouched corridors to unique ecosystems, such as rare species of cave-dwelling fish and cave crickets.
Organ Cave, West Virginia
If you want to add a historic twist to your cave exploration, head to Organ Cave. This vast system was once a Civil War saltpeter mining site and has over 38 miles of history and natural beauty, including artificial tunnels. It’s a win-win for nature lovers and those interested in history.
But even more than a place of history, Organ Cave is a biological treasure trove. The fauna in the cave is diverse and consists of unique cave-adapted species, including rare bats, making it an ecological hotspot. Visitors are guided on their way into rarely seen stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone formations, and learn about the fragile ecosystem of this subterranean environment.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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