Visit Ohio Caverns This Summer

The Ohio Caverns, “America’s Most Colorful Caverns”, lies beneath the rolling hills of west-central Ohio. They were discovered in 1897 on a farmer’s property by a 17 year-old farmhand who was working in a wooded area when he noticed the disappearance of water into a sinkhole. It was through this sinkhole that he first ventured into the cavern. It is also believed that this is the first time humans ever entered the Ohio Caverns.

Over 120 years of tourists visiting the caverns represent only a small fraction of the caverns’ life. Thousands of years ago subterranean water eroded the limestone passages that are present today. There has been no attempt made to give a precise age of the cavern or its formations, primarily because the water flow and mineral deposits most likely varied overtime. One can only estimate the caverns’ age as ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years. However old the cavern and formations are, it is clear that their creation took a very long time. They are irreplaceable, and a moment of carelessness or mismanagement could destroy them.

Once inside, the tour takes you through a series of passages that conclude with the viewing of four large rooms. It’s in these rooms that most of the crystallization is present. Tour guides explain the various aspects of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, helactites and flowstones as visitors pass through the well-lit walkways. One of the many highlights on the tour is the Crystal King, which is the largest stalactite in the state of Ohio. It is best known for its pure white color and perfect conical shape. 

The Ohio Caverns is acclaimed “America’s Most Colorful Caverns” due primarily to a variety of minerals contained within the limestone. This chemical process produces many different colors throughout the cavern. Iron deposits bring about brilliant yellow, oranges and reds that stain the limestone corridors. Manganese deposits give the darker coloration, such as purple, blue and black. When combined with pure white crystallization, these colors create a truly unique contrast of natural coloration. 

Ohio Caverns is an all-weather attraction and is open year-round. Tours are guided and take approximately one hour. The temperature remains a consistent 54 degrees throughout the year. Tours are educational and provide the public with an opportunity to see the wonderful world of underground beauty. Photography is welcome! 

Many conveniences are provided for your comfort and recreation. A 35-acre well-maintained park is located directly above the cavern and contains a playground, two picnic shelter houses and other picnic areas. A large rock and souvenir shop is located within the visitor center building and contains a wide variety of minerals, fossils and other merchandise characteristic of this wonderful natural attraction. Gem mining bags are also available to purchase in the gift shop. There is an outdoor sluice or, if the weather is cold, an indoor sluice used to pan out the gem bags for different gemstones, fossils and even arrowheads. 

For more information, visit: OhioCaverns.com