Meramec Caverns

MISSOURI'S LARGEST commercial cave is Meramec Caverns. It's located 60 miles west of St. Louis just off Interstate 44 in Stanton.  The cave attracts thousands of visitors every year.

To reach this popular leisure destination take the Sullivan exit (#230) off of I-44 and point your vehicle toward 1135 Highway W. Upon arrival, you will soon discover that a real underground adventure is about to begin!

The cave has existed for centuries, and artifacts suggest that it was used for shelter by North American Indians. It was first visited by Europeans in the early 1700's. In 1933 an extended cave system was discovered that revealed a length of 4.6 miles and five layers. Soon thereafter Lester Dill opened the cave to the public for tours. It was an immediate success as a tourist attraction.

Today, tours are guided by trained rangers along a lighted path extending 1.25 miles. Visitors enjoy the cool comfort of 58 degrees year round. The regular tour is 1 hour and 20 minutes, although a shorter trip can be arranged. The Caverns are open daily throughout the year, but hours of operation are seasonal. Admission prices are $21 for adults; $11 for children age 5-11. Kids 4 and under are free with a parent or guardian. Call 573-468-CAVE (2283) for opening and closing times and additional information.

When visiting the Caverns it's helpful to know that there is a restaurant and gift shop on site. And, lodging, camping, canoeing, a zip line, and riverboat rides are all nearby.

Be ready to be wowed with the sights and sounds of the Caverns. For example, the largest "room" extends upward to a height of a 7-story building. Plus, there is evidence that the Caverns were once a hideout for the infamous gangster Jesse James!

In addition to being called the "Show Me" state, Missouri is also known as the cave state. It is home to over 6,000 surveyed caves. Meramec Caverns is among the top three largest caves in the nation.

My trips to the Caverns have been both exciting and extremely enjoyable. Each visit seemed to reveal something that I had previously missed. A personal recommendation would be: It's well worth the trip. Like me, I believe you would be thrilled to visit Missouri's buried treasure!