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Ultimate Guide to Marengo Cave, Indiana (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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The Marengo Cave is the number one natural attraction in Indiana, and it attracts more than 70,000 visitors every year. The cave is an excellent destination for adventure-seekers as it offers spelunking opportunities and lots of other activities that will keep you occupied for a long time. It is a perfect place for vacationers and families looking for weekend getaways. 

Marengo Cave, Indiana

Discovered in 1883, the cave was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1984. When it was originally discovered, it had a length of 3900 ft of passages, but with later exploration, the total passage length got extended to 15,480 ft. 

History of Marengo Cave

According to geologic theory, Marengo Cave began to form one million years ago. There is no recorded document to prove that anyone entered the Marengo Cave before its historic discovery on September 6, 1883. On that day, two siblings named Blanche and Orris hiked up the hill past the cemetery and found a sinkhole surrounded by a grove of trees.

Blanche climbed to the bottom. With lighted candles, they peered inside, and ignoring the darkness and mud, she squeezed into the hole. Blanche and Orris crawled down the slippery slope and found themselves in a large chamber that seemed to continue in several directions. They saw various formations and heard water falling in the distance. 

As their candles were slowly giving up, they decided to turn back and retrace their path. Climbing out was more strenuous as the mud was slimy and cold. The two siblings safely reached the top and headed home but were entirely covered with mud.

The original landowners were quickly notified of the discovery, and the main corridors were explored by the owner, Samuel Stewart’s son, and his friends on the following Sunday. The Stewart family immediately opened the cave to the public after recognizing the value of this discovery.

The Stewart family continued to own the cave till 1955. The present owners purchased the cavern in 1973 and played a significant role in expanding the operations. 

Geological Cave Formations in Marengo Cave

This cave is home to more than 100 unique formations and is blessed with a large variety of speleothems. When you tour inside the cave, you will come across beautiful formations like helictites, stalagmites, flowstone, stalactites, cave popcorn, and soda straws. 

Wildlife in Marengo Cave

Marengo Cave has many types of animal life. The blind cavefish are found in the lower stream level of the cave, but you will not find any in the toured section of the cave. The blind cave crayfish are also common here, but you rarely see them.

The bat population in the cave is small, but you might often see a bat flying out of the cave. The other species that you might encounter in the cave include but are not limited to cave crickets, salamanders, flies, and spiders. 

Is Marengo Cave Haunted?

Marengo Cave receives many visitors, and there is nothing to prove that Marengo Cave is haunted. 

How Big is Marengo Cave?

The Marengo Cave is approximately 5 miles in length. It has upper-level passages which are drier and a couple of parallel underground rivers.  

There are two walking tours of the Marengo Cave:

Crystal Palace (entrance was excavated in 1910)

It is a leisurely 40-minute tour and covers a third of a mile. It takes the visitors through formation-filled rooms where visitors can see massive flowstone deposits. There is a large variety of dripstone, flowstone, and rimstone deposits which are nearly 1000 ft long. 

Dripstone Trail (entrance was excavated in 1979)

It is an hour-long tour that covers almost a mile. The visitors can view the delicate soda straws, pole stalagmites, and Penny Ceiling through this tour. 

Wild Cave Tour

Another option called the ‘Wild Cave’ tour is more adventurous. It is a two-hour cave exploration trip that takes the cavers into the underdeveloped sections of the Marengo Cave. It requires the willingness of the spelunkers to squeeze through the tight spaces and even make their way through water and crawl through tons of mud! 

Marengo Cave Tour Prices and Discounts

There are two kinds of tours. The prices are as follows – 

Crystal Palace

• USD 18.95 per adult (ages 13+)
• USD 10.95 per child (ages 4 – 12)

Dripstone Trail

• USD 21.95 per adult (ages 13+)
• USD 12.95 per child (ages 4 to 12)

Combo Tickets

• USD 28.95 per adult 
• USD 16.95 per child 

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Is Marengo Cave Cold?

The cave maintains a temperature of 52 degrees F throughout the year. You can bring a light jacket to make yourself comfortable.  

What to Wear?

You must wear warm clothes and ensure your arms and legs are covered at all times. Do buy a pair of comfortable walking shoes so that you can do the tours with ease. 

Marengo Cave Hours

The Marengo Cave remains open as per Eastern Standard Time. It is open from September to May daily from 9 am to 5 pm. 

What to Do at Marengo Cave (Beside Tours)

After the cave exploration is over, one can take advantage of the facilities extended by its sister facility, Cave Country Canoes. There are a variety of family canoe trips on the Blue River – the first natural river of Indiana. The park also offers a wide range of gemstone mining bags, an indoor snack area, a mapped nature trail, and a massive gift shop. 

The gift shop has 3000 sq ft of gift ideas, mementos, and educational items. All items are budget-friendly, and they start from as low as USD 0.50. You can also buy local foods like honey and jam. 

Pedal Karting

It is a new attraction, and the pedal go-karts come equipped with all-terrain tires, adjustable seating, and reverse braking. They are ideal for all above three years of age, and the price is only USD 5 pp. 

Miner’s Maze

The Miner’s Maze spreads over 5000 sq ft and is a fun outdoor challenge for the whole family. It is a fantastic activity open throughout the year with an entry fee of USD 5 pp. 

It is a cave simulator suitable for all ages and includes a winding maze of wooden boxes, and successfully emulates exploration tours. 

Best Time to Visit Marengo Cave

You can visit the Marengo Caves any time of the year.  

How to Get to Marengo Cave

The cave is in Southern Indiana on Highway 64 directly off Interstate 64. One can reach the cave conveniently from all locations such as Indianapolis, Louisville, and Evansville. One can find detailed directions  here . 

Hotels near Marengo Cave

If you are looking for night stay options, you can choose to stay in one of the four cabins of the property. Every person would enjoy modern amenities like central heat/air, electricity, and even a refrigerator. All four cabins have a specified picnic area and fireside eating.

There are also excellent camping facilities and amenities including a fire pit, grills, and picnic tables. The facility is accessible throughout the year, and there is a charge of USD 28 for the camping facilities. 

Places To Stay Nearby

Download our marengo cave guide (unofficial) here: .

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Visiting Marengo Cave

Do you need more information before visiting Marengo Cave? Call (812) 365 – 2705/(888) 702 – 2837 or contact  The Cave  through the form for an information packet.

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The Indiana Cave Tour Inside A National Landmark That Belongs On Your Bucket List

Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.

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Did you know that beneath your feet in the Hoosier State there is an entirely different world? It’s true! Stretching hundreds of miles beneath the earth are more than 4,000 caves in Indiana alone – and those are just the ones we know about! Several of those caves offer some really interesting experiences, and we found one cave that offers two different spellbinding tours, both of which are absolutely worth checking out. You can do just one, or you can do both – no matter what, if you’re even a little interested in geology and caving, these tours will blow you away. Visit Marengo Cave, in Marengo, Indiana, for amazing cave tours in Indiana you won’t soon forget.

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Watch this stunning YouTube video by MIRA’S ADVENTURES showcasing some cool scenes inside the cave.

For all the information you’ll need to plan your adventure, be sure to check out the official Marengo Cave website.

So, what do you think? Would you embark upon these amazing cave tours in Indiana ?  Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Also, if you’re searching for more adventure, here are a few more tours in Indiana  that will blow your mind.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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More to Explore

Natural wonders in indiana.

Besides the Marengo Cave, are there more caves in Indiana?

The short answer is yes. Here are some of the caves in Indiana that will transport you to another world:

• Bluespring Caverns , Bedford
• Squire Boone Caverns & Village, Mauckport
• Suicide Cave, Salem
• Indiana Caverns, Corydon
• Wyandotte Caves , Leavenworth
• Wolf Cave, Spencer

For more otherworldly experiences, don’t forget to visit our website to discover more caves in Indiana .

What are some more natural wonders in Indiana?

From canyons to waterfalls to caves and more, here are some of the best natural wonders in Indiana that belong on your bucket list:

• Rocky Hollow Falls Canyon Nature Preserve, Bloomingdale
• Williamsport Falls , Williamsport
• Twin Caves, Mitchell
• Pine Hills Nature Preserve, Waveland
• Big Clifty Falls, Madison
• Little Hemlock Cliffs Box Canyon, English
• Tippecanoe Lake, Kosciusko County
• Bluespring Caverns Park, Bedford
• Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, Spencer
• Seven Pillars of Peru , Peru
• Jug Rock Nature Preserve, Shoals

Be sure to read our previous article telling you more about these natural wonders in Indiana . 

What are the best state parks in Indiana?

There are over 20 state parks in Indiana and these are 10 of the best parks that we recommend:

• Brown County State Park , Nashville
• Clifty Falls State Park, Madison
• Charlestown State Park, Charlestown
• Lincoln State Park, Lincoln City
• Harmonie State Park Road, Harmony Township
• McCormick's Creek State Park , Spencer
• Mounds State Park, Anderson
• Lincoln State Park, Clay Township
• Falls of the Ohio State Park, Clarksville
• O'Bannon Woods State Park, Corydon

Read our previous article to learn more about these state parks in Indiana . 

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Marengo cave.

• 400 East State Road 64 Marengo, Indiana 47140 Marengo, Indiana 47140" class="loud_attraction_meta_address_directions" target="_blank">Get Directions
• (812) 365-2705
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A United States National Natural Landmark offering a variety of underground splendor rarely seen in a single cave. Cave tours, gemstone mining, the crawl, a nature trail that takes you to the natural entrance of the cave, cave exploring and more.

Estimated Time To Experience Activity

Standard Hours of Operation

*hours pulled from attraction’s Google listing. Actual times may vary seasonally or change without notice.

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Marengo Cave – Indiana’s Most Visited Natural Attraction

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Visiting Marengo Cave is a perfect way to spend a cold Indiana day. Not only is it Indiana’s most visited natural attraction, but it’s also a U.S. National Natural Landmark. Located in Crawford County in Southern Indiana, it’s a bit of a drive from Indianapolis, but definitely worth the time, even just for a day. As the latest installment of my Explore Indiana project , it was a fun and unique experience!

One of my favorite parts of visiting caves is that they are weather resistant. The cave stays at 52 degrees year-round. A hot summer day? Why not visit a cave? Too cold to be outside in the winter? A caving trip is a fun activity. The day I visited, it was pouring down rain. Although that did limit my photography options, it didn’t limit my fun in checking out the underground cave system.

We started the day with a dash to the gift shop and to get acclimated to the location. The gift shop is extensive with plenty of options guaranteed to get your kids asking for souvenirs. There is also a small concession area next to it with tables and machines for sodas and snacks. We packed a lunch so food wasn’t an issue. After this short detour, it was on to the main event.

There are two standard cave tours: Crystal Palace and the Dripstone Trail. You can do one or both. The Crystal Palace tour is about 40 minutes and the Dripstone Trail is an hour so it would be very possible to enjoy both in an afternoon.

Insider Tip: The combined cave tour ticket will save you money over purchasing them individually.

Luckily for me, I was a part of a school field trip with my son, so we did an interesting hybrid where we got to see the best of both trails.

It is incredibly easy to navigate the cave trails. The paths are clearly marked and very well-maintained. Our guide shared with us many interesting historical facts and information about the different formations we encountered. It was quite fascinating.

The caves were discovered in 1883 by two children who snuck out of their house in the middle of the night to check out a sinkhole they had heard some kids at school talking about. Imagine their surprise when they found an enormous cave instead! They kept their find a secret for a few days, but once they shared it, the landowner immediately opened it up for tours.

There are lots of other fun historical facts you’ll discover while on the tour, but suffice it to say that the caves have had their share of mystery, feuds, commercialization, and restoration. Since I love learning personal stories, I gobbled these up!

If the weather permits, in addition to the cave tours, Marengo Cave offers additional fun experiences. The kids on our tour had the opportunity to do some gem mining and since a portion of that area is covered, it is an activity that can be done even in the rain. Other fun options include pedal karts, an outdoor maze, and a small playground.

I don’t think there are a lot of options nearby for food, so you might want to do what we did and pack a lunch. I checked out Yelp and the pickings were pretty slim. If the weather is nice, the area outside the caves is beautiful and would make for a lovely picnic spot.

Have you ever visited a cave? I’ve only been to a few so far and every time I visit one I remember how interesting I find them and remind myself to plan more cave adventures! Luckily for me, there are several more in Indiana, so I’m sure I’ll get the opportunity to check them out as I finish exploring the state !

Marengo Cave , 400 East State Road 64, Marengo, IN 812-365-2705

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Meet Pam Howard, mom of two teenagers who loves to make the most out of every day. Pam's passion for exploring new places and discovering hidden gems has led her to become a travel enthusiast. As a blogger, Pam shares her experiences and insights on day trips, weekend getaways, and everyday adventures in the Midwest and beyond. Join Pam on her journey as she inspires and motivates others to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world around them.

Marengo Cave

This U.S. National Landmark in Marengo, Indiana , offers two walking routes: the 1/3-mile Crystal Palace and the one-mile Dripstone Trail.

Travelers have been visiting Marengo Cave since as far back as 1883, making this just-off-the-highway destination a prime example of the Midwest’s natural beauty. The U.S. National Landmark offers two walking routes: the 1/3-mile Crystal Palace and the one-mile Dripstone Trail, which can be explored separately or one after the other. The cave, which also has two underground rivers, has a stable temperature of 52 degrees, making it a great escape from hot summer days.

Packages are available for those who want to experience spending a night in Marengo Cave, and each offers a slate of activities that end with sleeping in the cave with your group and breakfast in the morning. Other trips include the Waterfall Crawl through a section of the cave that wasn’t discovered until 1992. Those looking for tamer adventures can try visiting the ground-level attractions such as pedal karting, an outdoor maze and gemstone mining for kids. Littles ones can also explore the cave simulator and ascend the enclosed climbing tower that ends with a 30-foot-tall spiral slide.

Marengo Cave was originally discovered in the 1880s after a young girl overheard boys at school talking about a sinkhole they planned to explore. She enlisted the help of her younger brother to find the entrance to the hole. After crawling inside with candles, the children heard a waterfall and saw formations in the distance. Public tours began a week later.

Marengo Cave is open daily and offers an on-site campground and four cabins that are available to rent year-round. Head a little over 21 miles southeast and you’ll find Indiana Caverns, which has an underground boat ride. Drive about 30 minutes west from Marengo Cave to enjoy an array of activities at Patoka Lake. 

400 E. State Rd. 64, Marengo, Indiana, 812/365-2705, marengocave.com

Story: Anna Smith Issue: Spring/Summer 2021

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Underground Indiana: Visiting Marengo Cave U.S. National Landmark

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After visiting Indiana Caverns and Squire Boone Caverns, the next stop on my journey through the Indiana Cave Trail was at Marengo Cave. They were kind enough to give me a private tour to help with my coverage of the Indiana Cave Trail.   Marengo Cave is a U.S. National Natural Landmark and for good reason – it’s absolutely stunning!

If you’ve never been cave exploring before and are not sure how you’ll handle being underground, Marengo Cave is a great first choice! The pathways are easy to walk and each cave room is open and airy feeling. It’s a great choice for those worried about being claustrophobic.

I stayed at Buffalo Trace Campground in Palmyra, Indiana which was pretty much situated smack dab in the middle of the Indiana Cave Trail. It was a great central(ish) location to easily access all 4 cave systems.

Entering Marengo Cave:

Marengo Cave has two walking tours and if you can I highly recommend taking both!

The entry way is the smallest part of the trip and it’s not bad. It’s a very short stone pathway maybe 30 feet or so. When you step inside you find yourself in a vast cave room.

Inside Marengo Cave:

There are two different cave tours in Marengo Cave:

Crystal Palace – 40 minutes. This tour gives you the history of the discovery of this cave and focuses on what it was like to discover this for the first time. Since I had a private tour I was able to have a combination of these two tours. I’m always fascinated to hear how caves were found and the journey that the discovery takes the cave over the years. The cave rooms on this tour are large with plenty of formations to marvel over!

Dripstone Trail – 60 minutes. This tour will literally give you a unique once in a lifetime experience. You’ll see below in my spoiler alert about a special coin ceiling. That ceiling is seen in this tour. You’ll also see an insane amount of soda straws and other-worldly stalagmites. You’ll also learn more about the underground river that helped carve out this cave system. It’s about a 1 mile walk from start to finish.

If you’ve ever read any of my other cave posts (check out my Indiana Caverns and Squire Boone Caverns posts here – they are also on the Indiana Cave Trail!) – you’ll know that I’ve been in over 30 cave systems in the United States, much of them in the Midwest.

I was in absolute awe over HOW MANY formations are inside of Marengo Cave! You can see in the photo above – I felt like I was walking down into the center of the earth, or on another planet! It was CRAZY WILD! It’s certainly an amazing experience!

The walk inside of Marengo Cave is very easy. The pathways are well carved out but there is no railing and in a few portions of the cave you will need to walk around rock formations in the middle of the pathway. This is a GREAT cave for families with children as well as our older friends that are up for a good walk.

Above you can see the walkways and that they are pretty smooth. After being in Indiana Caverns and Squire Boone caverns I couldn’t imagine loving a cave even more but each next cave on the Cave Trail that I entered I fell in love. It’s impossible to pick a favorite! They are all so unique!

Because this cave was discovered in 1883 it has a long history of use! In fact it was opened to the public almost immediately and has been open ever since. It was filled with music as a Natural Bandstand in Music Hall in the early 1900’s.

I’m a little jealous but they even have weddings in the cave! In the early 1920’s a church gathered inside the cave with the preacher giving his sermon right from Pulpit Rock!

During the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) it was designated as a civil defense shelter, although it was never used. Over the years it has also housed a school musical product, a film location, overnight youth camps, and other community oriented programs. In fact in the winter they even have a night of caroling inside the cave!

This was an awesome point of interest for cave enthusiasts – the inside of a soda straw! Look at the layers that you can clearly see! VERY VERY cool! These rings are created by mineral deposits from the water that drips down.

I didn’t get a chance to explore much outside of the cave but they do have camping available! You can see more about their lodging here .

WOW! The walk through Marengo Cave is just incredible! I wish I could have spent the day down there! If you’re up for a serious adventure they do offer quite a few other cave exploring options including behind a waterfall!!! I just walked through most of these two tours with such awe at the amazing nature around me!

Spoiler Alert!:

As I was continuing down the cave path I entered a giant cave room that was so vast, but my eyes were immediately drawn to something shimmering above me. It was almost like glitter plastering the ceiling, I couldn’t figure out what it was due to the dim light…..until my tour guide shined a light on the ceiling.

COINS EVERYWHERE!

I had the pleasure of discovering this section of the cave without knowing about it! So SPOILER ALERT if you are headed there for the first time – this is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.! I’ve never seen, or even heard, about another cave having this feature!

You will see the “penny ceiling” on the Dripstone Trail cave tour. The cave ceiling is caked in a special type of mud (naturally) and over the years people have thrown objects up to the ceiling to watch them stick!

Typically in a cave you are NOT allowed to touch anything, and especially not leave anything in the cave as it can do irreparable harm. But this portion of the cave just grab fallen pennies off of the floor and chuck them up at the ceiling and watch them stick!!! It’s SO FUN!

Out of all of the caves in the Indiana Cave Trail I was able to get the best photos here in Marengo Cave. It can be extremely difficult to take photos inside of a cave due to low lighting and any unsettled particles floating around. You can see in all of my photos (and there are a LOT!) that the cave is very well lit everywhere you go.

The ONLY time you will be in the dark is when your tour guide will let you know they are turning off lights for a few seconds so that you can experience what it would have been like for the very first cave explorers in the dark. It gives you a great perspective.

Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly handle any more beautiful scenes we walked into this section of the cave where the two tours meet. If you look at the flooring in the photo above it’s actually a large pool of water (only a few inches deep at most).

It reflects the rock formations from above and is just stunning. This photo does NOT do it justice and I couldn’t stop staring as the light tricks you onto the water as you stare at the reflections.

As you walk through the cave, and most cave systems, the ecology of the cave can change drastically depending on it’s water sources, or lack thereof. Towards the end of my time in Marengo Cave were vast flowstone, stalagmites, and other large scale cave formations.

I don’t know why but I am just so obsessed with caves. I find a beauty and awe in their uniqueness and formations. Look how majestic these formations are!

The lighting at this spot was extremely difficult for photos but it was one of my favorite spots in the cave. I felt like I had stepped into a long tunnel of Alice in Wonderland or something. I was completely surrounded by ethereal formations overhead and on all sides of me. It was absolutely incredible.

This here is one of the largest rooms of the cave on the tours. Strangely enough above this cave room is a historic cemetery that was built in the 1800’s before the cave was discovered.

Marengo Cave is a DON’T MISS attraction in Indiana! You won’t be disappointed on this cave tour. Whether you’ve never visited a cave before or you’ve been to dozens of them – Marengo Cave is a MUST SEE stop to explore! I would absolutely go back if given the chance and appreciated the opportunity to tour the cave!

Details to Visit Marengo Cave:

GPS Address:  400 East State Road 64 Marengo, IN 47140 Phone Number : (888) 702-2837 Social : Facebook , Twitter Website : www.marengocave.com Open : Every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Age: ALL! (Small children CAN be carried.) Pets : YES! Small dogs may be taken inside the cave if carried during the entire tour. Rates : See website, each tour is different. SPECIAL DEALS here! NOT Allowed: Strollers, wheelchairs, backpacks

Other Underground Indiana Adventures:

About Crystal

I'm the product of a family who never travelled and now I can't get enough! Please leave a comment or send me a message with some of your favorite lesser known places to visit - my bucket list in the USA is always expanding! My passion for travel motivated me to drag along my husband and 3 kids until now they are as eager as I am to hit the road! What should we visit near you?

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May 13, 2018 at 2:34 pm

This looks so neat. I’ve never visited a cave before! Definitely adding this to my Indiana bucket list!

May 13, 2018 at 7:53 pm

Such a fun place to explore. It looks different than any other cavern and worth finding if we sre in that area. I love the coin ceiling and how it was formed.

May 13, 2018 at 9:19 pm

WOW!! My eldest would love this! I am very claustraphobic so I usually have to stay away from these places but my eldest is just fascinated by caves!

May 13, 2018 at 10:43 pm

This cave is so interesting! I have never been inside a cave before but it looks like a pretty cool experience. I am only a few hours away from Indiana so this is something I could definitely check out with my family. We love road trips

May 13, 2018 at 10:48 pm

So beautiful! I would love to visit this place. My kids would go crazy for this adventure.

May 13, 2018 at 11:37 pm

I used to go explore caves like this as a kid on vacations. Now I want to take my own kids to places like this to explore and learn about the underground more.

May 14, 2018 at 4:53 am

My girls would love to go there. So much to explore. It’s like a little adventure!

May 14, 2018 at 10:38 am

We have always wanted to visit and explore Indiana. I love all the features you have shared and I look forward to visiting someday soon with my family.

May 14, 2018 at 12:06 pm

I’m loving all of your cave posts and photos!

May 14, 2018 at 10:03 pm

Marengo Cave is a U.S. National Park is such a cool looking place. I will definitely check it out if I’m visiting Indiana.

May 21, 2018 at 11:20 am

Awesome! Looks like a fun adventure with the kids.

Where we’ve been

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Go Caving In Indiana: Marengo, Wyandotte, Or Someplace Else?

Indiana is home to some of the most beautiful geologic features, including numerous caves that you can explore. Here you will find a comprehensive guide on exploring the caves in Indiana .

Where can you go caving in Indiana? Most of the caves in Indiana are located in the south-central region of the state to the south of Indianapolis. Some of these caves have walking tours, some have boat tours, while some have guided tours that are more physical.

When you think ‘subterranean adventure,’ Indiana might not be the first state to come to mind. But you will be surprised at the unique geologic features and rare wildlife you can find at some of the destinations we’ll cover below.

If you’re interested in caving, be sure to read my Beginners Guide and recommended gear section.

Caving Indiana

At some caves, you will have the opportunity to be your own guide. In this guide, we will dive into the most popular caves in Indiana. We will also discuss which cave tour best fits your skill and experience level, so you can thoroughly enjoy your next spelunking adventure.

Where Are the Caves In Indiana?

Southern Indiana is layered with Karst topography characterized by carbonate strata such as limestones and dolostones at the surface.

Over time rainwater has dissolved parts of the strata creating sinkholes and caves, among other common features characteristic of karst topography in a process explained in more detail the IU-Bloomington .

Most karst topography in the Northern two-thirds of the state is buried underground, where it cannot be accessed. However, you can observe some karst features along with parts of the Wabash River, which flows across the central part of the state and then southwards.

State Parks With Caves

Some of the places where you can explore caves in Indiana include:

Spring Mill State Park :

• This park located on the Mitchell Plateau in south-central Indiana features many of the caves, springs, and sinkholes characteristic of the region.
• It’s just under 2 hours south of Indianapolis.
• Select Caves are open with limited access for self-guides recreation groups who must register in advance with the Indiana Karst Conservancy .
• Prospective explorers also take online training regarding how to avoid spreading White Nose Syndrome, which is a disease afflicting bats in large numbers.
• You can also take the Twin Caves Boat Tour, which only accepts same-day reservations. More details can be found here .

On the Twin Caves Boat Tour, you may be able to see the endangered Blind Cavefish. It has been reported as a common sighting along the tour.

The Twin Caves tour is a great option for those with children since the minimum age requirement for the tour is only 3 years old. The tour is also relatively short and doesn’t require explorers to traverse difficult terrain.

Some Tips for this Park:

• The Donaldson/Bronson caves in the park require that all participants in the tour are at least 16 years of age.
• You will be standing in water for the entirety of the tour. It is also recommended that you bring a personal flotation device.
• Though you will be ankle-to-knee deep in water the vast majority of the tour, there are at least two sections where the water will likely be deep enough to require a short swim or float.

Prior to committing to a trip, make sure to check in on how much rain the park has been getting lately and what weather is forecasted since the cave can flood easily.

McCormick’s Creek State Park

• This state park located just an hour southwest of Indianapolis in south-central Indiana.
• includes Wolf Cave, a small cave located on the less-crowded side of the spectrum.
• Though the cave is small, you will be able to see hints of an underground stream that initially formed the passageways you will be crawling through.
• The cave is free to access and is a self-guided experience.

O’Bannon Woods State Park

• This park is located in far southern Indiana bordering the Ohio River, just over 2 hours from Indianapolis.
• The park is famous for being the home of Wyandotte Caves .
• The tours of the caves are guided and come with a fee.
• Tours are offered on Weekends (including. Friday) and Holidays from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
• The caves are consistently 52 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Check here for current pricing.

The Big and Little Wyandotte Tours

• The Little Wyandotte Tour The shortest trip offered is the Little Wyandotte Tour .  In this 30-45 minute trip, you will be able to see numerous flowstone and dripstone formations.
• The Big Wyandotte Tour – Those hungry for a longer and more rugged trek will find pleasure in the 2 hours long Big Wyandotte Tour. This tour comes with a minimum age requirement of at least 6 years.

The Big Wyandotte tour includes a 1.5-mile headlight/helmet trip designed for those up for the physical challenge of navigating many stairs and steep terrain.

If you take the Big Wyandotte Tour you will be able to see:

• Helictites are known as the most delicate of formations. They grow at angles that make them seem as if they are defying gravity.
• They form from a combination of seeping water and capillary action rather than dripping water
• They look like oddly-shaped straws with intricate designs
• You will also see gypsum, epsomite and prehistoric flint quarries

Privately-Owned Show Caves In Indiana

Marengo cave.

This cave is the most popular cave to visit in Indiana and has been designated as a National Landmark.

• Located just over 2 hours south of Indianapolis in south-central Indiana
• All tours are along lighted pathways and are led by guides
• The Dripstone Trail and Crystal Palace trails are cool at 52 degrees Fahrenheit
• The Crystal Palace tour lasts 40 minutes and features major flowstone deposits
• The Dripstone Trail tour lasts 60 minutes and features totem pole stalagmites and  soda straws
• You can view current pricing here

The cave is open year-round, outside of holidays. Reservations are not required for you to participate in the tour. You can also camp in the park.

Bluespring Caverns

This privately-owned park is located in south-central Indiana 1.5 hours southwest of Indianapolis. The cave system runs for 21 miles.

The cave tour is an hour-long boat tour where you may be able to see a blind cavefish or blind crayfish.

• You can find current tour rates here .
• Tours are cool at 53 degrees.
• The cave system contains the longest known navigable subterranean river in the United States at 3 miles.
• The tour runs from March to October
• Call before you go to make sure the cave is not flooded out, which may happen if there has been a lot of rainfall in the area.

Squire Boone Caverns

These caves are located 46 miles west of Louisville, KY, in far southern Indiana. 

• The guided walks of the caves last 1 hour.
• The walkways are lighted
• An underground stream
• Giant stalactite and stalagmite formations
• A large open central cavern
• Narrower areas
• An underground waterfall
• The Rock Of Ages formation that is 40 feet tall and estimated to be more than a million years old
• The largest rimstone* formation in North America.

At the end of the tour, you will see the coffin of Squire Boone, a famous soldier, and explorer who was the brother of Daniel Boone

*Rimstone is also commonly called gours and is formed when calcite and other minerals build up into pools. The result is a beautifully crafted formation that often looks like a set of stairs.

Indiana Caverns

This cave is located in far southern Indiana 33 minutes west of Louisville, KY. It is the 7th largest cave in the United States and the longest cave system in Indiana.

• The tour includes an underground boat ride
• The cave tour features a large variation in heights and depths
• The tour also includes a waterfall
• Tracks and claw marks can be seen today
• Plan on being at the cavern for 6 hours total from arrival to departure
• The trip lasts 3.5-5 hours
• The trip is known for being physically challenging. Visitors must be prepared to scale a 93-foot ladder on belay to reach the remote lower level.
• The cave is only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Be Your Own Tour Guide At Sullivan Cave

Sullivan Cave is located approximately 10 miles south of Bloomington. You can access the cave by reaching out to the Indiana Karst Conservancy cave patron, whose contact information can be found here . Sullivan Cave is the 4th longest in Indiana, with a mapped passage length totaling 9.63 miles.

In Sullivan Cave, you and whoever is in your caving party will be your own guides. There are no lighted pathways, making this trek suitable only for those who are familiar with the ins and outs of cave exploration.

Since the cave is considered a natural and wild cave, “no improvements for the convenience of visitors will be allowed or desired,” according to the Indiana Karst Conservancy. The trek can be treacherous . The cave includes features such as the aptly-named  “Backbreaker,” an extended passage with a low ceiling.

You will likely need to obtain a permit in order to explore the cave. Upon entry of the cave, you will perform a short series of climb-downs into the waterfall room.

Other notable features of Sullivan Cave include:

• The “Mountain Room” which is 60 feet high and 100 feet across
• The largest room in The Sullivan Cave called “The Colossus,” totaling 120 feet in height and 200 feet in length
• Wildlife including a small population of bats, both surface and cave crayfish species, and salamanders

Make sure that you have a good idea of where you are going when you are in the cave.  Exploration in teams is encouraged.

Explore The Caves At Hoosier National Forest

Hoosier National Forest is located 1.5 hours south of Indianapolis and covers an area of  200,000 acres.

In 2018, the forest reopened its caves to the public after keeping them closed, going back to 2009 in order to combat white-nose syndrome in bats.

The caves are open to the public from May 1 through August 31 each year. There are more than 165 different caves scattered throughout the forest. The caves of Hoosier National Forest are known to contain over 54 different troglobitic (small, cave-dwelling) species.

Where Can I Learn More About Cave Exploration In Indiana?

The Indiana Karst Conservancy is a great resource for those looking to learn more about cave exploration in Indiana. You can also learn more about cave exploration in Indiana with these books:

A Guide To Caves And Karst Of Indiana: This guide, by Samuel S. Frushour in conjunction with the Indiana Geological Survey, includes explanations of how caves are created. It also has descriptions of the various geologic features and wildlife you can find in Indiana’s caves

Cave Explorations In Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama

Authored by Gerard Fowke, this is a great resource for those looking to explore caves in the central region of the United States. This guide provides detailed archaeological and geologic histories of more than 180 different caves in the Midwest

What Type of Gear Do I Need to Bring With to Cave in Indiana?

Gear requirements will vary by cave, so make sure to check in with the company or agency responsible for providing tours of the cave.

As an example, the cave tours of the Donaldson/Bronson tours at Spring Mill State Park require that all participants arrive with a great proper helmet with a chin strap , a water-proof helmet-mounted light , and clothing that is appropriate for full immersion in 55-degree water.

Even for the show tours such as Marengo Cave or Squire Boone Caverns, you will still need to bring:

• Clothing warm enough to keep you comfortable as you travel through a cave that is consistently 50-55 degrees
• Comfortable athletic shoes are also recommended since you will be walking through moderately difficult terrain including many steps
• Sandals and flip flops are not suitable for exploring caves

Is a Cave Tour a Good Group Activity in Indiana?

If you are looking for something fun to do as a large group of friends, taking a cave tour can be a viable getaway for your group.

Some caves, such as Marengo Cave, have discounted group rates . Marengo Cave has discounted rates for groups of 12 or more.

Bluespring Caverns also has discounted group rates for groups of 12 or more . You can also add special group activities such as a Karst sink tour for a discounted rate.

How Safe Is It Go Caving in Indiana?

Caving is a perfectly safe activity in Indiana as long as you follow the recommended guidelines found here .

If you are inexperienced at exploring caves, it is highly recommended that you stick to guided tours such as the ones offered at show caves such as Marengo Cave, Indiana Caverns, or Squire Boone Caverns among others. These guided tours come with clear lighted pathways.

Once you become more familiar with cave exploration and the gear required, you can set out on exploring unimproved and unguided caves such as Sullivan Cave.

Here are a few guidelines to follow when exploring caves that are unguided:

• Always go in groups.
• Wear a quality helmet with a chinstrap .
• Wear a water-proof helmet-mounted light .
• It is highly recommended that you carry at least three sources of light to stay on the safe side.
• Give someone a detailed description of where you are going and when you plan on returning.
• Make sure the leader of your crew is an experienced caver.
• If all your lights fail, sit down and wait for help to come rather than trying to blindly stumble your way to the entryway.
• Get up and practice short, rapid movements every once in a while, to avoid hypothermia.
• Carry a small first aid kit such as this one with you.

What Is The Best Way to Learn What Caving Is Like?

Other cavers recommend that people who are interested in getting into caving as a recreational activity go on a tour at the Wyandotte Caves at O’Bannon Woods State Park to get their feet wet.

The walking tours at some of the commercial caves may not always give the novice caver a true sense of what caving is like.

Real caving is often claustrophobic and treacherous but also rewarding when you get to see beautiful geologic features such as rare Helictites. You also get to witness wildlife that you don’t get to see at the surface, such as cave crayfish and blind cavefish.

When you’re ready to get started caving, be sure to  read my Beginners Guide and check out my recommended gear section .

I’m Rob, the owner of StartCaving. I enjoy exploring and writing about caves. I live in Ohio and like going out to Ash Cave at Hocking Hills with my family. I plan to hit up more caves across the states in the coming years but until then I will continue to write about them.

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