Top 5: Inspiring Caves

The natural world can be pretty spectacular, from mountains and oceans to beaches or caves. What we see on the surface isn’t even close to what to the world offers.

While you may think your man cave is the best thing you’ve ever seen, it is no comparison to the caves created by Mother Nature. There are rock formations, underground pools and crystals. When you spend time in underground caves, hidden away in mountains and submerged underwater, you’ll realize these awe-inspiring sights awaiting exploration.

Here are 5 of the most inspiring caves throughout the world.

A photo posted by Morgan Easter (@morganeastergram) on Oct 21, 2016 at 1:27pm PDT

Meramec

Meramec Cavern in Stanton, Mo., not only features nifty lights, but has rooms so large they have names like Theatre Room, which boasts a wall of stalactites known as the Stage Curtain. Past the main rooms is a lower level discovered in the mid-20^th century and supposedly once outlaw Jesse James’ hideout.

A photo posted by Nature Animal Travel Landscape (@lifeetam) on Dec 12, 2015 at 5:18am PST

Cave of the Crystals

Mexico’s Cave of the Crystals was discovered in 2000, when two miners followed a seam of silver until it broke into the cavern. The miners found the world’s most magnificent crystal formations. The largest crystals are thought to be 600,000 years old, weigh 55 tons and extend to 36 feet. The limestone cavern and its crystals were created due to its close proximity of magma. Due to the heat, the caves are not widely open to the public.

A photo posted by Waitomo Glowworm Caves (@glowwormcaves) on Dec 5, 2015 at 3:05am PST

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Float through a magical glowing subterranean wonderland in New Zealand’s Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The magic comes from the ceiling illuminated by the light of thousands of glowworms whose brightness is reflected in the water. If you’re looking for a hands-on adventure, check out the Black Water Rafting Co.’s Black Labyrinth tour. During your journey through the glowworm caves, you’ll scramble over rocks, tube down a river and leap over waterfalls.

A photo posted by Melissa Karlson (@mkarl343) on Jun 1, 2016 at 4:27pm PDT

Marble Caves

The smooth walls and arching caverns of Chile’s Marble Caves reflect the shimmering blue of Lake General Carrera as it lies on the border of Chile and Argentina. Accessible only by boat, tourists can take a 30-minute tour through the caves to admire the arches and turquoise caverns formed by the pounding on the marble over thousands of years. Varying strips of different-hued marble creates an incredible natural beauty.

A photo posted by Melissa Hooper (@hoops320) on May 1, 2016 at 11:04pm PDT

Mammoth Cave

The Mammoth Cave located in Mammoth Cave National Park, Ky., is the largest-known cave network in the entire world with more than 400 miles of explored caves known for the bottomless pit. With its vast chambers and extensive labyrinths, the human history spans back to thousands of years ago. There are some 70 other threatened or endangered species that call the cave home.