Pennsylvania is a state that is known for its natural beauty. From the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the rolling hills of the west, there are plenty of places to explore and enjoy nature with the whole family. One of the most unique and interesting places to explore are Pennsylvania caves and caverns. These natural wonders attract visitors from Memorial Day through Labor Day and sometimes into the Fall although summer is the best time of the year to make a visit.
There are many different cave systems located throughout the state, each with its own unique features and attractions. You’ll find many of these caves near the heart of Central Pennsylvania, but there are also caves near Hershey PA, as well.
Caves and caverns in Pennsylvania are often chilly with a constant temperature that hovers around 52 degrees. The ground can be slick, so you’ll want to wear proper dress such as a light jacket or sweatshirt, as well as comfortable walking shoes with rubber soles and good treads.
Pennsylvania Caves
Woodward Cave
Woodward Cave is one of the most popular caves in Pennsylvania. It is located in Centre County and features a large number of stalactites and stalagmites. Woodward Cave, one of the largest caverns in Pennsylvania, has a nickname that reflects its five spacious rooms, one of which, “The Hall of Statues”, is 300 feet long with a 40-foot cathedral ceiling. With many cave features such as tunnels created by fast moving water and vertical features like chimneys. Woodward Cave is a solutional cave which means it was formed when the circulating groundwater removed bedrock through underground streams.
Route 45 in Centre County, Woodward, PA 16882
Mid-way Between State College and Lewisburg
814-349-9800
info@woodwardcave.com
Lost River Caverns
With nearly 1200 feet of paved walkways throughout the cavern, Lost River Caverns is another popular cave located in Hellertown, Pennsylvania. If you ask us, it’s one of the best limestone caverns in the United States. With cave tours throughout the year, they can accommodate both families and tour groups inside the cavern. Most of the terrain has ramps, but there are a few steps to navigate inside the cavern and the tour takes about 45-50 minutes.
The history of the caves is that during the late nineteenth century, where the parking lot is now, there was once an active limestone quarry. The cavern entrance was first opened to the surface in 1883 by quarry workers during a blast exercise. In 1886, Lehigh University held its first exploration of the caverns. In the years following the discovery of this beautiful cavern, it became open to the general public when the residents found the underground spaces ideal for a variety of uses including a ballroom!
During the late 1800s a wooden dance floor was built in what is now called the Crystal Chapel and regular dances were held in the natural air conditioning of the cave.
In 1929, during the great depression, the cavern was purchased with the intention of creating a commercial show cave and in 1930 after handrails, lighting, and walkways were installed, the cave was opened to the public. One large well-decorated room was dedicated as a chapel and between 1949 and 2009 was used for a wedding chapel. The Crystal Chapel was the site of over 100 ceremonies and provided the perfect setting for a unique and memorable celebration.
Laurel Caverns
With a history that extends back into the 17th century when Native Americans were the only inhabitants in the area. Pennsylvania’s largest cave, Laurel Caverns has over 4 miles of of passages in its underground cave system. Laurel Caverns opens in April and stays open until Halloween each year. Laurel Caverns has three tours available including a traditional tour, a self-guided tour, and a combination tour. Each tour is priced just the same, so it’s really a matter of preference. If you’re traveling with a youth group or a group of teenagers, you have the option to have a guide with you along each step of the way.
Laurel Caverns has a long history and changed hands several times throughout its rediscovery in the 1700s by settlers to today. Laurel Caverns is a large natural calcareous sandstone cave and most of the ceilings in its four-mile passageways are between ten and twenty feet high (many as high as 50 feet) with an average width of over twelve feet. This makes it the largest cave in Pennsylvania.
If classified as a sandstone cave, it is the largest sandstone cave in the world. The cave itself is situated beneath a 435 acre privately owned geological preserve. Because this property is at the top of Chestnut Ridge, all of the water that enters the cave is pristine.
To find Laurel Caverns, please use this GPS location: 1065 Skyline Drive, Farmington, PA 15437
Crystal Cave
If you are interested in history, then you may want to visit Crystal Cave. This cave is located in the eastern part of Pennsylvania and is one of the first “show caves” in North America. Crystal Cave was first discovered in the 1870’s. It became a near-instant hit and has been educating and entertaining tourists to this day.
The main feature is of course a tour of the Crystal Cave with its milky-like formations, but there’s also an on-site miniature golf course, restaurant, ice cream parlor, hiking trail, gift shop, theater, gem panning, and more.
Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park
For those looking for a more family-friendly destination, Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park is a great option for those in the Centre Hall area. This cave is located in the central part of Pennsylvania and is known for its kid-friendly attractions. Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park offers tours of its caves, as well as an on-site petting zoo and playground. They even tout themselves as being “America’s ONLY All-Water Cavern & Farm-Nature-Wildlife Park”.
Penn’s Cave was first discovered by the Seneca Indians centuries ago in the Valley of Karoondinha, also known as “Penn’s Valley”. It first became a tourist destination in 1885 as a commercial show cavern. That same year, a hotel was added and meals were served there into the late 1920s. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places and operates as the headquarters for the Penn’s Cave corporate offices.
Penn’s Cave is a great place to take the family for the day or for an educational field trip with school because it’s perfect for all grade levels and ages.
When visiting Penn’s Cave it’s important to know that there are 48 steep stairs to access the cave entrance. You’ll then be ushered onto small boats that hold approximately 20 people by a friendly tour guide who will take you on a tour through this stunning water cavern. No oversized bags, strollers, or baby carriers are permitted on the boat ride so you’ll need to carry small children or hold them by the hand.
Penn’s Cave is located at: 222 Penns Cave Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828
Indian Echo Cavern
A tour of Indian Echo Caverns is another great option for those looking to explore Pennsylvania caves. This cave, located in Hummelstown, Derry Township, features a variety of different rock formations. Indian Echo Caverns offers tours of its caverns, has a playground and gem mining area, as well as an on-site gift shop.
The history of the cavern tells us at the most likely first visitors to Indian Echo Caverns were the Susquehannock Indians who lived along Swatara Creek and later disappeared from the area. Other European explorers and settlers would have also found the mouth of the caverns. In the early 1800s, William Wilson, aka The Pennsylvania Hermit, inhabited the cave from 1802-1821.
The playground area and free petting zoo make this destination a great choice if you’re looking for a place to meet up for a play date with friends. The spacious playground will keep the kids entertained with its climbing structure and slides and the kids can take turns feeding the adorable farm animals.
Panning for gems at Gem Mill Junction is another activity that you can purchase inside the spacious gift shop and it’s worth the price — we still have all our bags of beautiful gems and they come in handy for science lessons.
While Indian Echo Caverns is a great place to meet friends, it’s also a great space to host a birthday party or preschool field trip. There are picnic areas available as well as an indoor space that’s available to rent.
Echo Dell Indian Echo Caverns is located at: 368 Middletown Road Hummelstown PA United States
Lincoln Caverns & Whisper Rocks
Lincoln Caverns & Whisper Rocks is a great destination for those interested in both history and nature. For more than 90 years, this cave located in Huntingdon, PA includes a one-hour interpretive tour of two crystal caverns.
You can also pan for gems just outside the cavern and enjoy a picnic lunch at the on-site pavilion and picnic area. If you go for a stroll on their nature trails, you’ll have the opportunity to observe local fauna in its natural environment. The woods adjacent to Lincoln Caverns and Warrior Ridge Campgrounds are home to turkeys, rabbits, hawks, deer, and a variety of songbirds.
So there you have it, a list of some of the best Pennsylvania caves and caverns to visit! Whether you are looking for a challenging hike or a family-friendly destination, there is sure to be a cave that is perfect for you. So get out there and start exploring!
