A Guide to the Show Caves of Missouri

There are many exciting activities for travelers in Missouri, but no trip is complete without a visit to one of Missouri's amazing show caves. Nicknamed by many "the Cave State," Missouri has over 6,000 known caves, a number that grows every year. Several show caves operate throughout the state, offering guided tours through amazing natural wonders. It would be a mistake to think that all caves in Missouri are the same in content and tour, so I've developed a guide to some of the most popular show caves in Missouri.

Science over spectacle

Just as every cave is different, so are the tours themselves. Some pride themselves on providing tourists with insight into the science behind cave development ("speleology" if you want to impress your tour guide), the ecology of the cave, and basic geology. Here are some of the best scientific tours:

Fisher Cave, Meramec State Park--

Located just south of St. Louis on 1-44 (in Sullivan to be more precise), Fisher Cave is one of many caves located at the gorgeous Meramec State Park. Tours are given by lantern light; no electric lighting inside this cave! This unique tour will give visitors a chance to see cave life in its natural habitat. A must for wildlife lovers.

Onondaga Cave, Onondaga State Park -

Onondaga Cave is truly outstanding. It can be found not too far from Meramec State Park in Leasburg, Missouri. Considered by many to be one of the greatest show caves in the nation, Onondaga is famed for its incredible large rooms and its unique lilypad formations. Definitely one not to miss!

Ozark Caverns, Lake of the Ozarks State Park--

Ozark Caverns is located across the Lake from the main park, on the much quieter south side of the Lake of the Ozarks. Like Fisher Cave the tours here are given using lanterns, and the focus is on the wildlife within the cave. This is a great tour for those who want to get a glimpse of cave life: blind salamanders, bats, and cave crickets are frequently found along the tour route. The tour also includes a look at the Angel Showers formation, one of only 14 such deposits in the world.

Entertainment over education

If you are looking for something a little less scientific, Missouri also has several caves that focus more on entertainment. Don't expect to see wildlife on these tours, but you may be in for some wild tales.

Bridal Cave--

Bridal Cave is located just 15 minutes away from Ozark Caverns in Camdenton, Missouri, but is worlds away in terms of content and tour. The tour in this show cave focuses on local legends, with a few historical tales thrown in for good measure. You won't hear much about geology, but you will get to see some amazing flowstone deposits and an underground lake.

Meramec Caverns--

Perhaps the most famous show cave in Missouri, Meramec Caverns is not affiliated with Meramec State Park, but is adjacent to it. Meramec is all about putting on a wild show. Expect to see Jesse James impersonators and plenty of wax figures along this tour, but take all of the "facts" with a grain of salt; storytelling is, after all, an Ozarks tradition.

Fantastic Caverns--

Fantastic Caverns, located in Springfield, Missouri, is unique in that it is Missouri's only "ride-through" cave. Tours are conducted via special trams that travel deep within the cave. The focus here is on combining entertainment and themes of conservation. Several large rooms are explored in this tour.

A little of both

Not all show cave tours focus purely on science or entertainment. Some are quite good at combining the two.

Mark Twain Cave--

This cave is truly fascinating. Located near the home of author Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) in Hannibal, Missouri, Mark Twain Cave is the site that inspired several chapters of Tom Sawyer. In addition to the historical significance, the cave itself is a maze of intersecting passageways. The tour effectively merges history, literature, and speculation to provide a very interesting experience.

Marvel Cave--

Marvel Cave is located within Silver Dollar City, a theme park found in Branson, Missouri. Marvel Cave boasts the single largest cave entrance room in the United States. It is a wonder to behold. The tour consists of equal parts nature, conservation, history, and fun. Don't forget to take a free tour (with theme park admission!) when you are visiting Silver Dollar City.

Sources

Marvel Cave. Silver Dollar City Rides and Attractions

Show Caves of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation