Are you looking for the best caves and caverns in Virginia? Then you have come to the right place! These best caves and caverns in Virginia are located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Visiting these Virginia caverns is a unique experience that is accessible during any season. Some of these caverns in Virginia have even installed elevators and walkways so that the whole family can come and awe at their beauty together.
These underground VA caverns are full of lively history and will leave you with a richer understanding of how incredible time and Mother Nature can be. They remain at a crisp 55 degree temperature every day of the year, making them a perfect adventure and leave you feeling refreshed.
9 Caverns in Virginia you must see
Luray Caverns
The Luray Caverns is home to not only one of Virginia’s best caverns it is also the largest cavern in the eastern United States. This cavern in Virginia has hosted millions of visitors since they first opened their doors in 1878, and has been declared a designated National Landmark.
Luray Caverns should absolutely be at the top of your list of best caverns in Virginia. They are open for tours every single day of the year. Conveniently, the Luray Caverns are less than a two hour drive from Charlottesville, Va. Making them a perfect destination on your Shenandoah Valley vacation.
Touring this VA cavern takes you underground for a 1.25 mile hike, usually lasting a little over an hour. While touring the best known caves in Virginia you will have an exceptional experience walking through the extensive interior.
There are many reasons why the Luray Caverns are among the best caverns in Virginia that is it full of beautiful formations and underground lakes. Some of the fascinating formations such as the Frozen Fountain, Empress Column and Titians Veil all formed throughout thousands of years. Another one of the notable attractions is world famous Stalacpipe Organ.
The Stalacpipe Organ has been operating at Luray Caverns since 1954 and is played on every tour. It is a lithopone, but it is not any ordinary lithopone. The Stalacpipe Organ has been altered for use only Luray Caverns, and instead of blowing air through pipes, the air blows through 37 natural stalactites. The caverns perfect acoustics allows the Stalacpipe Organ to beautifully echo off the limestone creating an unforgettable sound that will have you dancing past.
There is no need to make any type of reservation, tickets are sold for the Virginia cavern tour upon arrival. The Luray Caverns tour is wheelchair and strollers accessible, but there are some spots on the tour that may be a little tight and it is recommended to try and bring strollers on the smaller side.
Natural Bridge Caverns
The Natural Bride Caverns are centrally located in the Blue Ridge mountains in Natural bridge, VA. This cavern in VA begins at 34 stories underground, and stay right around 54 degrees all year long, making them one of Virginias best caverns to explore. The cavern tour will last a little under an hour, walking you through many unique natural features this VA cavern has to offer.
There is plenty to hold your attention while viewing one of the best caverns in Virginia, including the Colossal Dome room, Mirror Lake, and the Well Room. These features were formed thousands of year ago and have been welcoming visitors that are ready to explore one of the best Virginia caverns since 1977. It has also been recorded that Wooly Mammoth teeth have found in the Natural Bridge Caverns.
Unlike other caverns in Virginia the Natural Bridge caverns are only open seasonally, during the months March to November they open every day, but February to December they only host tours on the weekends. So make sure you visit during the right time to not miss one of the best Virginia cavern tours.
Shenandoah Caverns
This Shenandoah Valley cavern is one the most beautiful and best caverns in Virginia. They are located in the Shenandoah Valley and just an easy one hour drive from Charlottesville, VA. The Shenandoah Caverns have thought of just about everything for you on your tour, even going to the measures of installing an elevator to take you on the incredible journey 200 feet below the earth’s surface.
Touring this Virginia cavern will last an hour and you are guided through 17 different unbelievable passages and rooms. Caverns in Virginia are all formed a little differently and the Shenandoah Cavern was formed from underground rivers and the earth moving millions of years ago.
A formation known as Breakfast Bacon inside the Shenandoah Cavern is so special that it has been featured in respectable magazines such as National Geographic, making it one of Virginias best caverns. There is mineral water that runs down the limestone that has turned the “Breakfast Bacon” gradient into the most unexpected and prettiest colors.
Before leaving one of the best caverns of Virginia, be on the look out of a “cave kiss”, it is said to bring you good luck for years to come.
Endless Caverns
The Endless Caverns is one of the best caverns in Virginia for many reasons. This Va cavern in located at the bottom of the beautiful Massanutten mountain range and they have a campsite right on the grounds.
You might wonder how the endless cavern in got its name? Well it is because this Virginia cavern goes on for at least 6 miles and although these Virginia caves were discovered 150 years ago, some parts are still left unexplored.
Like most caverns in Virginia this tour lasts about an hour (not the whole 6 miles) and a knowledgeable tour guide will bring you though the endless caves and passageways. There are many different shield formations that have formed deep inside of this Virginia cavern. The Yosemite and Crock are two you will not want to miss.
You can book your camping accommodation and cavern tour online before your trip, making it on this list of Virginia’s best cavern for those two things alone.
Grand Caverns
If you are on the hunt for the oldest and best Virginia caverns, you will not one to miss Grand Caverns. This beautiful VA cavern is the oldest show cave in all of the US. The Grand Caverns of Virginia were found in 1807, and have been showing the best cave tours in VA ever since. It is located in the prettiest part of the Shenandoah Valley cavern system.
History runs deep is what they say when you visit the Grand Caverns. During the Civil War both the Union and Confederate soldiers came to see the legend of the best caves of Virginia, and although faded, some famous signatures can still be seen on the tour today.
There are many picnic facilites above ground at the grand caverns making it a perfect spot to have lunch and relax after touring this cavern in Virginia full of history.
Sand Caves
No doubt that some of the best caves in Virginia are the Sand Caves, nestled inside of the Cumberland Gap National Park. You will not want to pass these caves over on your Virginia adventure. These Virginia caves are painted with the vibrant colors of red, gold and green, across the ceilings.
The Sand Caves in Virginia are only accessible by hiking or horseback riding in the 3.9 mile hike through the park. The track out is so worth the view when you arrive to some of the best caves in Virginia. The sand cave is not only one of the best caves in Virginia, but it also extends into Kentucky and Tennessee.
There is ample parking at the trail head that will begin your hike to the sand caves and access to it is at the Thomas Walker Civic Park in Ewing, Virginia.
Skyline Caverns
In the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia you will find another one of the best caverns in Virginia called the Skyline Caverns. These Virginia caves were found in 1939 in Front Royal, Virginia.
What makes the Skyline Cavern rank as one of the best caverns in Virginia is they are known to have a rare formation called an anthodite formation known as The Chandelier. These formations have only been found in a very few places and The Chandelier is known as the oldest and largest in the world.
There are ample reasons why the Skyline Cavern is known as one of the best caverns in Virginia. The enormous 37 foot waterfall and the three separate underground lakes are just a few of the special features they have to offer. These wonderful Virginia caverns are open all year for tours.
Dixie Caverns
Dixie caverns is next on the best caverns and caves in Virginia. The Dixie Caverns are full of history and well as beauty. These Virginia caverns are located in Salem, Virginia in the western part of the state.
In the Mirror room you will find yourself among the stalactites and stalagmites that will reflect through a mineral pool causing a very enchanting reflection.
The Dixie Cavern is open to guests year round, and the grounds also have an antique store for shopping and a camp ground near by.
Gap Caverns
The Gap Cavern is in Cumberland Gap National Park with the Sand Caves, making them the perfect pair of best Virginia caverns and caves to explore in one day. The Gap Cavern tours lasts about a two hours as you walk 1.5 miles lit by only the flame of a lantern. They remain the only tour of the caverns in Virginia that operate by lantern light making them have a really neat vintage vibe.
The Gap Caverns ranks among the best caverns in Virginia for its formation known as The Pillar of Hercules. This stalagmite, the Pillar of Hercules, ranks as one of the biggest in the world. An unforgettable site to see.
The Gap Caverns are currently closed, but plan to be reopen soon, check their website for updates.
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