52 Caves to Explore in United States

Ash Cave, located within Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, is a captivating natural wonder that beckons visitors with its awe-inspiring beauty and tranquil ambiance. This prominent rock formation, characterized by its massive overhanging ledge and stunning waterfall, offers a picturesque and immersive experience amidst Ohio's scenic landscapes.

Black Chasm Cavern is a cave nestled in the hamlet of Volcano, located in Amador County, California. It is a dissolution cave, formed by sulfuric acid resulting from Geo-thermal hydrogen sulfide reacting with down-moving oxygenated surface water.

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.

Cathedral Caverns State Park, located in Marshall County, Alabama, is a natural wonder and popular tourist destination known for its breathtaking underground caverns and unique geological formations. The centerpiece of Cathedral Caverns State Park is its extensive underground cave system. Visitors have the opportunity to explore these impressive limestone caverns, which are among the largest in the state of Alabama.

The Cave of the Bells is located in Sawmill Canyon at the end of a four-wheel drive road on the eastern slopes of the Santa Rita Mountains. The cave contains a lake which is 80 meters below the entrance level. The lake has been measured at 76 °F (24 °C) and is believed to be warmed by sources below. The nearby Onyx Cave is also of interest.

Cave of the Winds, is an exhilarating attraction that allows visitors to get up close and personal with the awe-inspiring power of Niagara Falls. It offers a unique and immersive experience, providing an opportunity to feel the force of the falls and witness their natural beauty from a unique perspective.The adventure begins with an elevator ride that takes visitors deep into the Niagara Gorge.

Cave Rock is a unique geological formation located in Douglas County, Nevada, which offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. It is a 3-million-year-old volcanic dike that rises 3,500 feet above sea level and plunges 1,000 feet to the lake's depths, making it an exceptionally popular destination for hikers, rock climbers, and tourists.The rock derives its name from a natural cave that boaters would pass through before the construction of the highway tunnel.

Cave Rock in Carson City, Nevada is a stunning geological formation that rises dramatically above the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe. The 3.8 million-year-old granite rock stands over 3,000 feet tall and is considered sacred by the Washoe Native American tribe.Cave Rock has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering visitors a variety of activities, including hiking, climbing, and natural wonder exploration.

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park preserves centuries old Native American artwork that graces the wall of a sandstone cave in the Santa Ynez Mountains behind Santa Barbara. The smooth and irregularly shaped shallow sandstone cave contains numerous drawings apparently depicting the Chumash cosmology and other subjects created in mineral pigments and other media over a long period ranging from about 200 up to possibly 1000 years or more.

Cooper's Cave is a famous geological and literary landmark in Saratoga County. The cave is situated at the confluence of the Hudson River and the Champlain Canal, near the city of Saratoga Springs.The cave is known for its association with James Fenimore Cooper's classic novel "The Last of the Mohicans," where it serves as a prominent location in the story. In the novel, the characters Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Uncas seek refuge in Cooper's Cave during their adventures.

Coronado cave is one of the few open, undeveloped caves in southern Arizona. The cave is a large cavern 600 feet long and in most places about 70 feet wide.The cave is located ~ .25 mile west of the visitor center on the north side of the road is the parking area for the trail. It became part of Coronado National Memorial in 1978, when the park expanded its boundaries. The cave may have been used by humans as a shelter and hideout by middle archaic people.

The Cave Trail climbs 400 feet over half a mile to the entrance of a 600 foot-long limestone cavern, overlooking a minor ravine on the south side of Montezuma Peak, part of an area that was added to Coronado National Memorial after a boundary expansion in 1978. The cave interior extends 600 feet in length, with 20 foot high ceilings. Those planning to explore the limestone cave should bring at least two sources of light per person.

Crystal Cave is a remarkable underground natural wonder located in Ottawa County, Ohio. This captivating cave system is renowned for its stunning crystal formations, unique geological features, and a rich history of exploration. Crystal Cave was discovered in 1897 by workers excavating a well on the Heineman Winery property on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, which is part of Ottawa County. The cave was named for its intricate crystal formations that adorn its interior.

Devil's Kitchen is a beautiful and breathtaking area where nature thrives. This secluded area is characterized by large rock ridges and small, lush forests that invite you to explore its beauty. It also consists of winding dirt trails and abandoned cabins giving it a mysterious atmosphere. Hiking here allows you to get up close and personal with the diverse native wildlife or climb some of the highest points in all of Michigan for a spectacular view across the lake to the horizon beyond.

The Eben Ice Caves located on the aptly-named Cave Point Road near Lake Superior, the interior of the caves is always filled with several feet of ice, providing both surreal beauty and intriguing exploration potential. Temperatures always remain below freezing inside, allowing visitors to experience a rare sight of frozen walls and flooring. Adventurous types will also find plenty to explore in the caves since their icy depths reach nearly 500 feet into the ground.

Ellison's Cave is an incredible natural wonder. The cave comprises of two mile-long passages that hold several unique formations, deep pits and spectacular underground waterfalls. This fantastical cavern is often hailed as a top destination for both professional cavers and amateur spelunkers alike. It boasts being the twelfth longest cave system in the United States with a depth of 586 feet.

Emerald Cove is a beautiful, secluded cove on the Colorado River, a few kilometers downstream from the Hoover Dam. This area is known for its clear greenish-blue waters. Emerald Cove gets its name from the beautiful green water that is created by the sun reflecting off the white silt that lines the bottom of the cove.

The Historic Fairy Cave Tour is a 40-minute guided walking tour that is appropriate for most fitness levels. This tour leads you on a quarter-mile-long underground stroll through narrow, winding passages, to natural water features and includes a stop at Exclamation Point—a viewing balcony with magnificent panoramas.

Florida Caverns State Park offers an extraordinary experience for outdoor adventurers. It is renowned for its inspiring underground passages with majestic formations of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as its natural springs and streams visible throughout the park. Visitors can also enjoy camping, kayaking, swimming, guided cave tours, and nature walks among wooded trails filled with wildlife. Boaters will appreciate the boat ramp located on the Chipola River or fishing along the riverbanks.

Graham Cave State Park is nestled in the heart of Montgomery County, and is an outdoor enthusiast's dream come true. Filled with winding trails and picturesque views, the park is the perfect spot for a day hike with friends or a solo adventure. But don't let the natural beauty fool you – this park holds a fascinating history dating back to 10,000 B.C. when it was home to the Osage people. The Graham Cave, a 100-foot deep cavern, is a must-see for anyone visiting the park.