This summer, beat the heat and familiar lull of activities with a trip to one of these caves in Ohio! Caves and caverns are an affordable option for a summer day trip. All the caves below have tours designed for families, and safety is always the top priority. CP has a guide to help you pick a natural wonder to explore. Pack a jacket, because these cool caves in Ohio are known to be chilly!
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Hocking Hills
Location: 27291 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152
Hocking Hills has something special in store- TWO explorable caves! Both Ash Cave and Old Man’s Cave are located in the South Bloomingville Park. The intricate caves have gorges, waterfalls, and pools, all of which can be explored by families for FREE. The park closes off certain areas for safety, but the cave is your oyster!
General Admission: Free
Ohio Caverns
Location: 2210 East State Route 245 West Liberty, Ohio 43357
The vibrant colors and unique formations make Ohio Caverns a special adventure. The cavern buzzes with excitement and history, as some of its most famous and oldest crystal is 250,000 years old. Ohio Caverns offers a variety of tours: Natural Wonder, Historic, Limestone, and Tree. The Limestone is especially for guests with limited mobility.
General Admission: $9 for kids and $17 for adults
Seneca Caverns
Location: 15248 E. Township. Road 178, Bellevue, OH 44811
Discovered by two boys and their dog in 1872, Seneca Caverns is one of America’s most fascinating geological wonders. Since the 19th century, an underground river, water table, and deeper levels have been discovered. Luckily, the owners of the cave have preserved it to nearly its natural state. This lets visitors truly experience all of the majesty of the cave.
General Admission: $8 for kids and $17 for adults
Olentangy Indian Caverns
Location: 1779 Home Rd Delaware, OH 43015
This cavern gives families the best of both worlds: the option explore with or without a tour guide. The cavern continues to impress with its unique history. The Wyandotte Indians used the cavern as a hideout and haven, years before anyone else ever found it. The cavern also offers other activities, including gem mining, Animal Encounter, and mini golf!
General Admission: $ 6.95 for children and $9.95 for adults
Perry’s Cave
Location: 979 Catawba Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456
52 feet below South Bass Island on Lake Erie lies Perry’s Cave. The lake’s distinct location gives it famous and rare features, like cave pearls and an underground lake. The water found in the cave also has it’s own story that the tour guides will be dying to tell. The Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center has myriad of other activities that can transform the cave visit into a whole day of fun.
General Admission: $4.50 for children and $8 for adults
Mammoth Cave
Location: 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
The largest cave in the world is certainly worth the hike to Kentucky. The cave sprawls for over 400 miles, so there are 16 different tours for all ages that cover different aspects of the natural wonder. If you are looking to make this more than a day trip, there are opportunities to camp and explore what lies above Mammoth Cave.
General Prices: $5-$19 for kids and $5-$26 for adults, depending on the tour.