Bruno Pugh
If you think every trail has been hiked and every peak conquered, it’s time for a new adventure—beneath the surface. With around 17,000 caves across the US, including the longest cave system on Earth, a hidden world awaits. Swap your hiking boots for a headlamp and explore these 15 caves nationwide.
Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the longest-known cave system. The park spans 52,830 acres and covers Edmonson County, as well as parts of Hart and Barren counties. The Green River winds through the park, fed by the Nolin River, which creates a beautiful setting for exploration.
Meramec Caverns
In the Ozarks, near Stanton, Missouri, you can explore the 4.6-mile wonder of the Meramec Caverns. Rich in history, the caverns have uncovered pre-Columbian Native American artifacts. Prominently advertised along Interstate 44, they serve as a key destination on the historic US Highway 66, which offers visitors a glimpse into their underground world.
Carlsbad Caverns
In New Mexico’s Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns National Park shows the awe-inspiring Carlsbad Cavern. Visitors can enter via a natural hike or an elevator from the visitor center. Situated 18 miles southwest of Carlsbad along US Highway 62/180, the park features two historic districts and preserves two-thirds of its land as wilderness.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns stands as the largest commercial cave system, distinguished by a 60-foot natural limestone bridge that spans the entrance’s amphitheater. This bridge formed after a sinkhole collapsed beneath it, leaving it suspended. The caverns are a display of geological processes, with rainwater dissolving calcite from the limestone.
Wind Cave
Just 10 miles north of Hot Springs in South Dakota, Wind Cave National Park was established in 1903 as the world’s first cave national park. Its caves are well known for their rare calcite formations, which account for 95 percent of the world’s boxwork formations. Not only was this inaugurated by President Theodore Roosevelt, but it’s also one of the top 10 longest caves worldwide.
Kartchner Caverns
Kartchner Caverns State Park in Arizona is home to a stunning 2.4-mile (3.9 km) show cave. The caverns remained a well-guarded secret until 1974, when they were discovered by local cavers. The preservation of these caves was made possible with the help of state biologist Erick Campbell, who played a key role in their protection.
Luray Caverns
These caves have been a popular attraction since they were discovered in 1878. The cave system is filled with formations like columns, mud flows, stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones. One of the main highlights is the Great Stalacpipe Organ, a unique instrument that uses solenoid-fired strikers to tap on different stalactites and create melodies similar to xylophones, tuning forks, or bells.
Niagara Cave
Tucked away in Harmony, Minnesota, there’s a limestone cave that goes down about 200 feet. Inside, you’ll find all sorts of cool stuff, like an underground stream, a 60-foot waterfall, fossils, and impressive stalactites and stalagmites. It’s privately owned, and was first discovered in 1924, and a few years later got the name Niagara Cave.
Jewel Cave
About 13 miles (21 km) west of Custer in South Dakota’s Black Hills, this site features Jewel Cave, one of the world’s most extensive cave systems. As of May 2024, over 220 miles (354 km) of its passageways have been mapped, making it the fifth-longest cave globally and the second-longest in the US. It was designated a national monument in 1908
Fantastic Caverns
Fantastic Caverns is a show cave where you can take a 55-minute ride-through tour on a Jeep-drawn tram. The tram follows the path of an ancient underground river, giving you a smooth and scenic experience. Though it’s a fascinating spot today, earlier, it was owned by the Ku Klux Klan (1924 to 1930), and they used it as a meeting place.
Blanchard Springs Caverns
This one on the list lies just a short distance from Highway 14 near Mountain View. This three-level cave system is the only tourist cave managed by the US Forest Service and the sole one under federal ownership outside the National Park System. Guided tours allow visitors to explore all three levels, so you should definitely consider it.
DeSoto Caverns
Formerly known as DeSoto Caverns, Majestic Caverns carries the nickname “Alabama’s Big Cave.” Beyond the cave tours, the park offers various attractions, including the expansive Lost Trail Maze, gemstone panning, a climbing wall, and amusement rides. You can also enjoy a sound, light, and water show that changes with the seasons and holidays.
Craighead Caverns
Craighead Caverns is the largest underground lake in the US and the second largest worldwide. The caverns also present beautiful crystal clusters called anthodites, stalactites (which hang down from the ceiling), stalagmites (which grow upward from the ground), and a waterfall. These caves were added to the National Natural Landmarks list in 1974.
Ohio Caverns
The largest cave system in Ohio, these caves dazzle visitors with their crystal formations, where around 90% of the stalactites and stalagmites are still growing. Once an underground river of melted glacier water, this show cave is now a popular tourist destination and a proud member of the National Caving Association.
Howe Caverns
The Howe Caverns in New York lets you experience an underground adventure without the need for advanced equipment. Originally closed to visitors, the cave was revitalized in 1927 with elevators, brick walkways, lighting, and handrails, reopening in 1929. Now, it offers an exciting and accessible caving experience, which makes it a popular destination for all.