It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s eight must-visit U.S. caves.
In the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park features the show cave Carlsbad Cavern. Hike on your own via the natural entrance or take an elevator from the visitor center to enter this limestone chamber, formed about 250 million years ago. © Redwood8 | Dreamstime.com
Did you know Ohio has its own version of a cave? Ash Cave, in the southernmost parts of Hocking Hills, is the largest recess cave in the state, accessible through a narrow gorge. The recess cave is 100 feet deep and 90 feet high, accompanied by a beautiful waterfall. © Helgidinson | Dreamstime.com
Yes, even Florida has its own cave. Devil’s Den, near Williston, Florida, is privately owned and operated as a SCUBA diving training and recreational facility. This unique space was formed when the roof over a subterranean river collapsed. The water is geothermically warmed at a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Artifacts and human remains dating back to 7,500 B.C.E. have been found here. © Joni Hanebutt | Dreamstime.com
Venture through a series of underground waterfalls at Ruby Falls near Chattanooga, Tennessee. These falls, fed by rainwater and natural springs, drop 90 feet. Ruby Falls Cave, accidentally discovered in the early 20th century, has no natural openings, but is accessible via a glass-front elevator. © Florentino David | Dreamstime.com
You’ll find the fifth-longest cave in the world at Jewel Cave near Custer, South Dakota. Located within Jewel Cave National Monument, this cave was formed about 350 million years ago and is now open year-round. There’s a scenic tour, historic tour and even a candlelight tour available, as well as a wild caving tour through an undeveloped part of the caverns. © Cheri Alguire | Dreamstime.com
While not technically a cave, you won’t know the difference when walking through Thurston Lava Tube in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Thurston Lava Tube reopened in early 2020 to the public, where you can now walk the path where ancient lava once flowed. © Volgariver | Dreamstime.com
Since its discovery in 1878, Luray Caverns in Virginia is rich in stalactites, stalagmites, mirrored pools and columns. Privately owned, the caves are open to the public; walking the entire cave system takes about 45 minutes. Expect unique rock formations and structures, including the Wishing Well, a mesmerizing body of water where visitors toss coins for good luck. The cave also features the Great Stalacpipe Organ, a lithophone made from solenoid-fired strikers that tap stalactites to produce tones sounding like bells or xylophones. © Pixelpodllc | Dreamstime.com
With nearly 3.5 miles of mapped passageways, Colossal Cave in southeastern Arizona is an ancient karst cave used by the Hohokam, Sobaipuri and Apache Indians between 900 and 1450 A.D. Now part of Colossal Cave Mountain Park, the cave is a popular tourist destination. © Linda Johnsonbaugh | Dreamstime.com
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