The three other caves give visitors electric lanterns during tours to lessen the disturbance on the cave creatures. While bats are the most readily seen of the residents, Onondaga has 68 known species, from tiny invertebrates to grotto salamanders.
Although the four caves were formed the same way, with mildly acidic rainwater eating away porous bedrock, each has its individual displays of pencil-thin soda straws, flowing drapery and giant columns were stalactites and stalagmites meet. Skip to main content. Approximately 2,, years ago, the cave was sealed due to a landslide, capturing indigenous artifacts such as grinding stones and arrowheads within the cave.
Following its excavation, the region became a notable archaeological site within the Ozarks. In , the cave was opened to the public for guided tours. Only half of the cave is open to the public for tours, with the remaining half closed for preservation and archaeological reasons.
The cave is open to the public throughout the year, with the exception of major national holidays, and offers seasonal summer and winter schedules for its attractions. Guided tours of the cave are offered year-round, lasting approximately one hour.
Group rates are available with advanced reservations for licensed nonprofit and educational organizations with 10 or more participants. The cave is kept at a constant 56 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and is not handicap accessible due to the narrow nature of its pathways. A wide variety of natural features are showcased within the 4,foot-long cave, including stalagmites, stalactites, cave coral and sponge, flowstone, rimstone, and sawtooth draperies.
At Visitors may also spot several species of salamander within the cave, including Western slimy, grotto, dark-sided, and Oklahoma salamanders, along with tri-colored, big brown, and little brown bats and bristly cave crayfish. In addition to the cave, several other family attractions are offered, including a gem panning activity area for young visitors to mine bags of cave dirt for gemstones or fossils.
All bags are guaranteed to have at least one item to discover, and visitors may take home all finds from gem pans. A gift shop offers a variety of unique souvenirs, including crystals, jewelry, and apparel. Overnight visitor accommodations are available at the Cavern Inn , which is located within the renovated historic home of the Browning family. Four bedrooms are available at the inn year-round, with each suite offering a private bathroom.
A handicap-accessible suite is available on the first floor, offering a queen-size bed. The inn features a fully-equipped kitchen, large front porch, and outdoor barbecue grill which may be used by visitors. Rentals for individual rooms or the full inn are available via phone or email. Located near Stanton, Missouri , Meramec Caverns is a 4. Meramec Caverns are a 4. The caverns were formed more than million years ago from the erosion of limestone deposits within the Meramec Valley. Though the caverns had been used for centuries by indigenous Americans as a place of shelter, they were first discovered by European settlers in , when a crew led by French explorer Philipp Renault found the caves after shoring off the Meramec River.
Renault named the cave system Saltpeter Cave for its abundance of saltpeter deposits, and throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the cave was a disputed territory due to the mining of its resources. According to local legend, the cave was used by famed outlaw Jesse James as a hideout throughout the s, though there is not historical evidence to support this claim.
In , Lester Benton Dill purchased the cave from Ruepple for the purposes of creating a family-friendly attraction offering guided cave tours. Today, Meramec Caverns is operated as a family attraction, offering educational guided cavern tours for visitors of all ages. Notable areas within the cave include the fifth-level Wine Room , which is home to a rare onyx aragonite formation known as the Wine Table for its unique natural three-legged support.
The room takes its name from its grape-like botryoid clusters and is considered one of the rarest cave formations in the world. Other notable rooms include the historic Ballroom , used for public parties and dances in the late 19th century, the reflective Mirror Room , which creates an optical illusion of a water depth of up to 50 feet, and a Hollywood Room , noted as the filming site for several films and television shows. In addition to cavern tours, a variety of family-friendly outdoor activities are offered at Meramec Caverns, including a Zip Line Adventure , added to the attraction in , that offers an hour-long course traversing the Meramec River region.
Six or mile Canoe Floats are also available, along with weather-permitting raft and kayak rentals. For young visitors, the Meramec Mining Company gold-panning attraction is available, allowing children to pan for pyrite rocks, fossils, and gemstones.
A Mine Store also allows visitors to purchase gemstone jewelry and rock-related gifts. Catering options are available for private special events, including outdoor barbecue and picnic catering options and box lunches for tour groups.
Several lodging options are offered at the attraction, including the Meramec Caverns Motel , which is open between April and October and is located within nearby LaJolla Natural Park.
Meramec Caverns Campground also offers trailer hookups, barbecue pits, showers, and restrooms for campers and RVs. A concession stand, sheltered pavilions, and a playground are available for use by all campground visitors. Meramec Caverns offers a variety of educational programming for K students, including curriculum-incorporated field trip opportunities for elementary and secondary school groups.
All school tours last approximately 80 minutes and include a showing of an introductory speology documentary and a free miniature workshop on topics related to natural sciences and geology. Scouting programs are also offered for scouting troops of all ages and ranks, with activities tailored to meet requirements for geology-related badge completion.
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