Mercer Caverns - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

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About Mercer Caverns

This is a show cave located in Calaveras county. It is named after the gold prospector Walter J. Mercer who discovered the caves around 1885 and filed a claim. It is formed in a marble unit known as the Calaveras Formation. It also contains a large display of aragonite frostwork. The standard tour of the cave descends 160 feet, 208 steps down and 232 up in a traverse between the natural and an artificial entrance.

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Attractions Near Mercer Caverns

Murphys Community Park

Murphys Community Park

2.06km from Mercer Caverns

A beautiful public park located in the heart of Calaveras and This park holds fun musical events here (known as “First Fridays“) on the first Friday of the month from June through to the beginning of September.The park is also a beautiful place to hold your wedding or special event.

Murphys (California Historical Landmark No. 275)

This is an unincorporated village located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Calaveras County, California, United States. A former gold mining settlement, the main street today is lined with over two dozen wine tasting rooms and surrounded by local vineyards. Nearby attractions include Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Bear Valley Ski Resort and historic Mercer Caverns. The world's largest crystalline gold leaf is displayed just south of town at Ironstone Vineyards.

California Cavern State Historic Landmark

Originally called Mammoth Cave, California Cavern was California’s first show cave and is its longest cavern system. The cavern walking tour takes you through several passageways into multiple chambers on a trail system. On the way, you’ll see a wide variety of beautiful white, cream and caramel colored crystalline cave formations including stalactites, stalagmites, cave popcorn, flowstones and helictites.

Moaning Caverns Adventure Park

Moaning Caverns Adventure Park

9.24km from Mercer Caverns

Moaning Caverns is a solutional cave located in Calaveras County, California, near Vallecito, California in the heart of the state's Gold Country. It is developed in the marble of the Calaveras Formation. It was discovered in modern times by gold miners in 1851. One can visit this place and can understand the things in this cave. not at all a tour, it is a little bit adventurous too.

Altaville Grammar School

Altaville Grammar School

10.47km from Mercer Caverns

The Altaville Grammar School in Altaville, California is one of the oldest grammar schools in California. It was built in 1858 of brick in the Greek Revival style and remained in use until 1950, when it was replaced by the Mark Twain Elementary School in Altaville. After its abandonment, it fell into disrepair, but was restored in 1989 by the Calaveras County Historical Society. The building serves now as an example of a typical schoolroom of the 19th century.

Stanislaus National Forest

Stanislaus National Forest

10.48km from Mercer Caverns

The Stanislaus National Forest is a U.S. National Forest managing 898,099 acres of land in four counties. Located between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, the Forest landscape is a continuum of natural and scenic beauty that defines the Sierra. Amid soaring crests, sparkling mountain lakes, towering forests, and canyons carved by cool rushing rivers, visitors discover connections with nature and the spirit of the Sierra Nevada.

Discover More Attractions in Calaveras County, Home of Mercer Caverns

Calaveras County

Calaveras County

20 attractions

Calaveras is the Spanish word for skulls; the county was reportedly named for the remains of Native Americans discovered by the Spanish explorer Captain Gabriel Moraga.

Location of Mercer Caverns

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For more information about Mercer Caverns, visit: https://www.gocalaveras.com/travel-directory/mercer-caverns/

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