National Caves and Karst Day officially falls on June 6, and by extension, the National Parks Service celebrates National Caves Week from June 2 through 8 each year. As a time designed to foster an awareness of the vital yet often-overlooked importance that caves and karst play environmentally, now may be the perfect opportunity to get out and explore some of the most top-rated must-see caves and caverns around. Fortunately, we folks in the Mid-Atlantic region don’t have very far to travel. We have an amazing abundance of breathtaking caves and caverns of such great acclaim all within a convenient, navigable range. Here are just some of the awesome ones worth visiting throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
Beaver Valley Rock Shelter Site
This is the only officially recognized cave in Delaware, although it’s also worth mentioning two others—Gaige’s Cave and Brandywine Springs Cave. Formerly used by area Native Americans as shelter long ago, the Beaver Valley Rock Shelter Site can be found in New Castle County near Wilmington, close to the Pennsylvania State Line. It is small at just 56 feet long and has sometimes been alternately referred to as Indian Cave and Wolf Rock Cave.
Beaver Valley Rock Shelter is located at 810 Beaver Valley Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803.
Crystal Grottoes Caverns
Maryland is home to over 50 caves. Yet Crystal Grottoes stands out as the state’s only “show cave” in which the public can come and explore. The caverns were discovered in 1920 and opened as a public attraction in 1922.
You will find Crystal Grottoes Caverns located on Maryland Route 34, just between Boonsboro and Antietam National Battlefield. The site address is 19821 Shepherdstown Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713. Visit the websitefor more information.
Historic Crystal Cave
First discovered on November 12, 1871, Historic Crystal Cave was the very first show cave ever to have opened in the State of Pennsylvania. Furthermore, to this day it remains a successful area operation and one of the oldest continuously operating show caves in the entire nation.
Historic Crystal Cave is located at 963 Crystal Cave Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530. For all other details, including directions and visitor information, go to the website.
Historic Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park
Located in Centre County, Pennsylvania, here you have what is the only all-water cavern and wildlife park in the country. It’s also the site of Penn’s Cave House, which was formerly used as a hotel between the 1880s and early 1900s. But it is the circa 1,300-foot-long cave that remains the primary tourist attraction here.
Historic Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park can be found at 222 Penns Cave Rd, Centre Hall, PA 16828. Go to the website for all other details about visiting.
Indian Echo Caverns
While publicly documented as having been discovered in the early 1800s, there are earlier indications of these caves that go back to the 1700s. They even once served as the home of “Pennsylvania Hermit” William Wilson and were previously known by a host of alternate names, including Wilson Cave, Hummelstown Cave, Stoverdale Cave, Giant’s Cave, and Indian Cave, among others. Now it is a major area attraction and even renowned for being “a living cave” owing to the fact that its formations continue to grow even to this day.
The formal site address for Indian Echo Caverns is 368 Middletown Rd, Hummelstown, PA 17036. Learn more on the website.
Laurel Caverns
At 16,312 feet (4,972 meters), Laurel Caverns is the largest cave in all of Pennsylvania. The first documented discovery of the site was in 1760, although its eventual fame as a show cave did not start until well into the 20th century. Now it is a major area site to come out and explore and even boasts many other additional attributes and features.
Laurel Caverns can be found at 1065 Skyline Drive, Farmington, PA 15437. Click the website link for all other details and visitor information.
Lincoln Caverns
With two show caves to its credit and a host of woodland nature trails and surrounding campgrounds, this is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular destinations for cavern touring. It also plays host to a series of exciting events occurring regularly and at specific times and seasons.
The physical site address for Lincoln Caverns is 7703 William Penn Hwy, Huntingdon, PA 16652. Visit the website to learn more.
Lost River Caverns
Get lost in adventure and discovery at Lost River Caverns, based in Hellertown, Pennsylvania. A fan-favored folly in the area since the 1930s, there’s plenty to see, do, and explore on location here. From guided tours to quiet observation time, this is a truly enthralling endeavor to take in.
Visit Lost River Caverns at 726 Durham St, Hellertown, PA 18055. Go to the website for additional details and information on venturing here.
Dixie Caverns
Based in Roanoke County, Virginia, this grand show cave of great acclaim has been an area staple for more than a century. The caverns were originally discovered by two farm boys and their dog, Dixie (namesake of the caverns) back in 1920. Guided touring of the area officially began in 1923. While there’s plenty to see and do here, one of the cavern’s favored attractions by many is the bell-shaped flowstone formation known as the “Wedding Bell.” It is a popular place that many choose to tie the knot at.
Dixie Caverns is located at 5753 W Main St, Salem, VA 24153, accessible from within Dixie Caverns Antique Mall, which graces the site. To learn more, visit the website.
Endless Caverns
Despite being a crowning highlight of New Market, Virginia, and an undeniably popular show cave of great acclaim, Endless Caverns is unique in that many areas within the cave have yet to be explored. That just adds to its “endless” wonder and appeal. Originally discovered in 1879, Endless Caverns now plays host to an elaborate site laden with various attractions and other area endeavors as well, including a full-service camping resort with all essential onsite amenities and features.
To visit Endless Caverns you’ll want to head for 1800 Endless Caverns Rd, New Market, VA 22844. Click the website link for all other information.
Grand Caverns
What a befitting name for such a grand Shenandoah Valley attraction, even though it used to be known as Weyer’s Cave. Legend has it that it was discovered in 1804 by 17-year-old Bernard Weyer. Two years later, in 1806, it started operating publicly as a show cave, leading guided tours. That means this thrilling site even outranks the aforementioned Historic Crystal Cave in attraction antiquity. Its claim to fame isn’t just “one of the oldest” but rather “the oldest show cave in all of the United States.”
Grand Caverns can be found at 5 Grand Cavern Rd, Grottoes, VA 24441. Learn more at the website.
Luray Caverns
Formerly known as Luray Cave, Luray Caverns, is perhaps one of the most well-known attractions in all of Luray, Virginia. It’s also hailed as the largest of caverns in the entire eastern United States. But in getting back to the Virginia scene specifically, it’s been a must-do area staple since its founding in 1878. Today visitors have plenty to awe them, including many anchoring rock formations and other natural wonders. Some of these include Dream Lake, the Saracen’s Tent, the Great Stalacpipe Organ, Fried Eggs, and the Wishing Well. Of course, there are many others also.
Visit Luray Caverns at 101 Cave Hill Rd, Luray, VA 22835. Click on the website to learn more.
Shenandoah Caverns
Discovered in 1884 as a result of area construction for the Southern Railway, Shenandoah Caverns stands out as another of Virginia’s many hidden gems. Mile-long guided tours of the site are open to the public and featured highlights include 17 interconnecting rooms—all of which are attractions within attractions. Words cannot describe all the natural artistry, so a visit is strongly suggested to experience it yourself.
You can navigate to Shenandoah Caverns by going to 261 Caverns Rd, Quicksburg, VA 22847. See the website for additional information.
Skyline Caverns
The site in which to discover Skyline Caverns is one of many bucolic accolades. Yet these pristine caverns are unquestionably among Virginia’s top-rated must-see attractions. While the caverns themselves are estimated to be approximately 50 to 60 million years old, the operational site as a public tourist destination wasn’t established until 1939. And it’s been thriving ever since.
Visit Skyline Caverns at 10344 Stonewall Jackson Hwy, Front Royal, VA 22630. Learn more on the website.
Lost World Caverns
For the ultimate caves and caverns experience in Lewisburg, West Virginia, head for Lost World Caverns. Here you have an intricate series of natural underground caverns, sometimes still referred to by its original (and still fitting) name as the “Grapevine Cave.” The caverns were formally established as a tourist destination in 1973.
Lost World Caverns is located at 907 Lost World Rd, Lewisburg, WV 24901. Visit the website to learn more.
Smoke Hole Caverns
Since opening to the public back in 1940, Smoke Hole Caverns has stood out as a favored area attraction in Grant County, West Virginia. With its sole entrance and ever-present supply of fresh water, some earlier tales throughout the region suggest that the site was once used by moonshiners during Prohibition. But that’s not its most ardent claim to fame. That honor arguably belongs to the anchoring “World’s Largest Ribbon Stalactite” featured attraction housed here. Other notable bragging rights include its unusual helictites and a crystal cave coral pool, found in only one other cavern in the world. It also boasts the second-highest ceiling of any cavern in the eastern portion of the nation.
You can visit Smoke Hole Caverns at 8290 N Fork Hwy, Cabins, WV 26855. Go to the website to learn more.
There are so many awesome caves to explore throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. However, some include lesser-known, private dwellings that aren’t necessarily “show caves” open for public touring and exploring.
Each cave and cavern site has its own rules and regulations to adhere to upon visiting, as well as established hours of operation and onsite features and offerings. And because everything is subject to change, it’s always best to check every venue well in advance of embarking on any tentative visits.