Welcome to the fantastic world of underground wonders near Springfield, Missouri! If you and your family are looking for an amazing outdoor adventure that showcases natural beauty and geological marvels, you’re in luck. The caverns and caves in Springfield, MO, and its surrounding area provide unique cave exploration experiences for all ages and skill levels.
Southwest Missouri, located in the Missouri Ozarks, is known for its stunning scenery and many attractions, including several show caves in close proximity to each other. Missouri is nicknamed the “Cave State”. There are nearly 7,000 known caves in Missouri and of those, there are 13 caves open to public tours including Fantastic Caverns, America’s ride-thru cave.
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Springfield and nearby Branson (an hour’s drive) account for six of those show caves. Each offers a unique experience and allows guests to explore the fascinating underground world. This area is also home to other hidden gems that offer great vacation opportunities for families who want to explore the Ozarks.
Guide to Missouri Caves Near Springfield
Recently, I explored six different caves located in and within an hour’s drive of Springfield. This article and cave guide will provide information about each of these attractions, so you can plan your trip accordingly.
None of these six attractions’ caverns are the same. Each provides a different level of challenge from a drive-on tram experience to an easy stroll underground or an active spelunking experience with inclines, stairs, dunking under ledges, and the high probability you’ll come out dirty.
I’ll start each section with the most accessible caves in Springfield and Branson (Fantastic Caverns, Smalllin Civil War Cave, and Lost Canyon Cave) that have no stairs to climb or descend and finish with more physically demanding (spelunking) caves like Crystal Cave, Marvel Cave, and Talking Rocks Cavern.
Exploring these six caves in Branson and Springfield could easily take place over an extended weekend with spending a full day at Silver Dollar City (where Marvel Cave is located). But I recommend allowing for more time and exploring other area activities too.
If you are looking for lodging, I highly recommend Springfield for its location, ease of getting around, and selection of accommodations. This map below shows you great options in the area.
Springfield, MO Attractions Caverns
Springfield, Missouri is a vibrant city and the birthplace of the famous Route 66 and is widely known for its attractions, art galleries, and live music venues.
This region is also home to some of the most beautiful caverns in the country. The underground systems of limestone and rock the city is built on have been forming for millions of years, creating an otherworldly landscape that has captivated visitors for generations.
The caves here were formed by ancient rivers and streams that carved through limestone and dolomite bedrock. As a result, these caves are filled with unique formations of stalagmites, stalactites, columns, flowstones, cave bacon, and more.
In the area around Springfield, these underground systems served as hiding places for outlaws and Civil War soldiers and even provided shelter to early Native American tribes.
Below is a list of the caves near Springfield and what you need to know about each, so you can plan your underground exploration.
Fantastic Caverns
Let’s start off by checking out Fantastic Caverns, located just 15 minutes northwest of Downtown Springfield. As one of Missouri’s most popular cave systems, you’ve likely seen the highway billboards advertising this fantastic natural wonder if you’ve traveled in the area.
Fantastic Caverns is the only ride-through cave in America and is one of the most accessible cave tours in the United States. Instead of walking along paved paths, guests are seated in Jeep-drawn trams for a one-mile, 55-minute journey through an ancient subterranean labyrinth. For those in wheelchairs, there are accessible pathways to the propane-powered Jeeps and ramps to help board the vehicles.
Tour guides take you on a narrated jeep ride explaining the fascinating history of this natural wonder, as you observe rock formations and learn about the amazing events that took place inside the cave like the Prohibition Era speakeasy and concert venue.
Highlights on this tour include:
- multiple types of formations throughout the tour – stalagmites, stalactites, columns, super thin draperies, delicate soda straws, glistening flowstones, sinkholes, etc.
- group photo taken aboard the Jeep tram ride inside the cave with a steep slope background with plenty of stalagmites hanging overhead
- view the Auditorium Room, an acoustically perfect cave where in the late 1950s to mid-1960s, live music and bands performed
- seeing the etched names of the 12 girls ages 12-19 who were the first people to explore the cave after Ozark farmer John Knox discovered the cave in 1862 (well actually his dog did, but you can learn about this on the tour)
- a moment of total darkness where the guide shows you just how dark this cave system is and how far a candle shines
- wide corridors so you don’t feel closed in
- ecology video at the turnaround point on groundwater (quite educational)
This Missouri Cave is Recommended For: all ages and especially small children, persons with mobility issues, or anyone with a fear of heights or confined spaces. No physical fitness is required and there are no stairs to climb. Guests get to enjoy a relaxed ride through a wide system of paths that were once a riverbed.
Days/Hours of Operation: Open year around from 8 am to dusk. They are only closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Fantastic Caverns tours depart every 20-30 minutes with the last tour leaving the visitor center one hour before closing. Visit their website for more information.
Admission: $30 for adults, $22 for children 6-12, free for 5 and under. Group and season pass rates are available. The gift shop offers souvenirs and snacks.
Address: 4872 North Farm Road 125, Springfield, MO
Smallin Civil War Cave
Smallin Civil War Cave, located just 25 minutes southeast of Springfield, is one of the most historic caves in Missouri and has been used by Native Americans, bandits, and even Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War as a hideout from Union forces.
Here the cave opening and steep wooded hillside landscape make it a popular destination for Ozark family vacations. Standing 11 stories high (55 feet x 100ft), Smallin has the largest cave opening in the state. Once you walk into the cave and turn around, the view looking back out is spectacular!
Smallin Civil War Cave offers several guided tours. The most popular is the one-hour walking tour that takes you a half mile from the visitor center/gift shop down into the interior of the cave and back out. Concrete walkways with metal handrails guide you through the cave and make it easy for visitors of all ages to experience the cave.
Highlights on this tour include:
- clearly defined concrete walkways through the cave
- the large impressive cave opening
- going back into the cave about 500 feet
- seeing a small waterfall and stream flowing out of the cave
- see natural rock formations including pickles, stalagmites, and fossils of Crinoids also called Sea Lillies (the state fossil)
- you are never in the dark on the one-hour tour
- brief overview of area geology (Karst topography)
- heavy focus on history – native people, Civil War, Baldknobbers, etc.
- informative video (played in the gift shop before your tour) on the cave and its history
Another popular guided tour is the Lantern Tours held from late September to early November. These tours are heavily history based with staff dressed in Civil War period costumes and include a rustic dinner of beans, cornbread, and fried potatoes served around the campfire.
Private tours and a two-hour Off Trail Wild Tour are also offered that get you off the beaten path and walking in two feet of water. This Wild Tour is available to ages 12 and older. Ages 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult.
This Historic Cave is Recommended For: all ages and is ideal for anyone with a fear of heights, the dark, or confined spaces. There are no stairs to climb, but there are gentle inclines on the ramps and pathways. This tour is also recommended for history buffs. Child strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters are welcome.
Days/Hours of Operation: Smallin Civil War Cave is March through December from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Call ahead if visiting in January or February. The cave is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Admission: $27.95 for adults, $15.95 for children ages 4-12, and children 3 and under are free. Group rates are available. Get more information on their website.
Address: 3575 N. Smallin Road, Ozark, MO
Crystal Cave
Unleash your inner adventurer and descend down into a mesmerizing cave recently reopened to the public. Located nine miles north of Downtown Springfield, this natural wonder is a paradise for spelunking enthusiasts.
First opened to the public in 1893, this historic cave was one of my favorites for the sheer variety of crystal formations on display. There are intricate little details all over the place that make you slow down and really take in the beauty of it all. It also felt like the cave experience was more personal than the others.
This hour-long tour starts with a descent down a few steep steps into Crystal Cave and travels over natural pathways. As you make your way through the cave, you enter underground rooms and even see the remnants of mushroom fields used back in the early 1900s.
In addition to the hour tour, there are also Wild Cave Tours available for those 16 years and older that involve crawling around in tight spaces and squeezing through narrow passages. For all-age fun, there is also gemstone mining, indoor miniature golf, and a penny arcade on site.
Highlights on this tour include:
- best “cave experience” where you have to crawl a little, duck under rock ledges, and walk up/down a few stairs
- the widest variety of intricate crystal formations, helictite formations, shimmering draperies, cave bacon, flowstone, delicate soda streams, stalagmites, and stalactites
- getting closer to the formations than other caves
- Concert Hall room – my favorite room with 100 feet long soda straw stalactites
- The Washington Monument – a famous natural formation that was replicated by the Smithsonian
- the best chance to see rock salamanders in cracks along the cave wall near the entrance
- the only area cave to have a chert layer caprock
This Cave is Recommended For: Adults and older children who want an active exploration to see those rock formations and don’t mind getting a little dirty. Best for those who want a smaller tour experience as tours are limited to 14 guests. No physical fitness is required but you must be comfortable with a little crawling/duck walking and some stair climbing. Also recommended if you have a fear of heights as there are no long descents or ascents in this cave.
Days/Hours of Operation: Crystal Cave is open year-round from 10 am to 5 pm. During the summer, they are open 7 days a week and during the winter months, Wednesday to Sunday. The cave is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Admission: $26.95 for adults and $15.95 for children 4-12. (one-hour tour. Group rates are available. Wild Cave Tour is $100 per person with tours between 2 to 10 people. Visit their website for more information.
Address: 7126 N. Crystal Cave Lane, Springfield, MO
Missouri Institute of Natural Science
Although not a show cave, a visit to the Missouri Institute of Natural Science is a must for anyone interested in caves. Here you can explore their extensive collection of fossils, minerals, and artifacts that came out of caves in the areas as well as around the world. You can also view the team’s reconstruction of Henry the Triceratops.
In 2001, a road construction crew discovered Riverbluff Cave, one of the oldest ice age caves in North America, on the property. Although not open to the public, the cave is an active research dig site. Museum visitors get to view fossils, skulls, and bones found within the cave.
Hiking Trails and Fossil Hunting
Outside the museum, the nature trails link guests to rock outcrops, wooded hillsides, and a fossil dig area. Here the rocks are part of the Burlington Formation and you can search for fossils from the Mississippian Period (325-350 million years ago.)
The best time to visit the trails is after it rains or when the ground is damp as it makes it easier to find fossils.
This Museum is Recommended For: Everyone and anyone looking to learn more about caves, fossils, and local ecology. Be sure to see the exhibits in the restrooms. Just trust me on these, they are fun and well-themed.
Hours of Operation: The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Closed Sundays.
Admission: Free admission, but donations are appreciated.
Address: 2327 W. Farm Road 190, Springfield
Caves in Branson, MO
Branson is a short drive away from Springfield, and it’s home to some of the most remarkable caves in the region. Three incredible Branson caves are Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail, Talking Rocks Cavern, and Marvel Cave at Silver Dollar City.
Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail
Located at the Top of the Rock near Branson, this attraction is known for its incredible beauty and views of Table Rock Lake. This self-guided golf cart tour takes you along a 2.5-mile nature trail, past waterfalls, waterfalls, and through a small cave.
Like Fantastic Caverns, Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail offer a drive-through experience, except here guests drive themselves in electric golf carts along paved paths. The trail takes about forty to fifty minutes, but you can stop as often as you like to take pictures at numerous pull-off areas.
The cave here is considered to be a “designed” cave. What this means is that this natural cave was excavated and made more navigable for guests. It’s more of an attraction than a cave experience in my opinion, but it’s still fun and the views are worth the ticket price.
Just inside the cave entrance, you’ll find the Bat Bar, a snack bar serving themed beverages and snacks. Continuing through the cave you’ll see waterfalls, rock formations, and a few animal skeletons of prehistoric animals. The drive thru the cave takes about 5 minutes. If you feel you missed anything in the cave, you can loop around and drive-thru again.
Highlights on this tour include:
- golf cart tour of the trail
- stopping for drinks along the way
- stunning views of the landscape
This Tour is Recommended For: all ages especially anyone who wants a short cave experience. Also recommended for anyone who wants a more outdoor experience.
Days/Hours of Operation: Open daily from 8:30 am to 7 pm. Reservations are available and encouraged.
Admission Varies by Day: $34.50-$42.00 for adults and $17.25-$20 for children ages 4-11. Children under 3 and free.
Your ticket to the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail includes admission to the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. You can also buy a combination ticket that includes the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.
Address: 150 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale, MO
Marvel Cave
Get ready for a thrilling underground adventure at Marvel Cave, an ancient geological masterpiece situated inside Branson’s Silver Dollar City theme park. This cave is not only a natural wonder but also holds historical significance, having been discovered by Osage Native Americans centuries ago.
Once called “Devil’s Den”, Marvel Cave is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Missouri and dates back to 1894. Silver Dollar City guests can take a free guided tour deep into the cave to encounter colossal stalactites, stalagmites, and stunning calcite deposits. Tours depart every 30 minutes and last for approximately 1 hour.
The last tour of the day is a special lantern tour for ages 8 and older for an additional fee ($17 per person.) This tour takes you into the deepest parts of Marvel Cave with a lantern to provide light. I’ve done this tour years ago with the kids when they were 10 and 12. I highly recommend it if you are not afraid of dark or enclosed spaces.
Highlights on this tour include:
- descending down 500 feet below the surface (700 steps) into a sinkhole entrance into the Cathedral Room that is large enough to fit the Statute of Liberty
- the most photographed cave formation in the state – 55′ stalagmite named Liberty Bell
- opportunity to get a digital picture with the Liberty Bell in background
- one moment of complete darkness
- cable car tram ride back to the surface
- combination of wide open rooms and small, narrow passages
- underground waterfall
This Cave is Recommended For: all ages who can handle moderate exercise as there is some stooping and a moderate to difficult climb/walk up to the exit. Also recommended for anyone who is not afraid of dark or enclosed spaces.
Days/Hours of Operation: Open when the park is open – March thru December. Check website for hours.
Admission: Cave tours are included with park admission. $85 for adults and $75 for seniors and children ages 4-11. Two-day and three-day tickets are available.
Address: 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson
Talking Rocks Cavern
This underground marvel boasts an incredible array of formations that have been sculpted over millions of years. Talking Rocks is a stunning example of a vertical cave with a stunning view spanning 100ft tall shortly after entering the cave.
As you descend into the depths, you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking display of stalactites, stalagmites, and draperies that seem to whisper stories of the past. Discovered in 1896, this cave was described as an underground fairyland which led to the naming of it Fairy Cave.
Take the 50-minute guided tour and listen to the knowledgeable expert guide share fascinating insights about the cave’s history, geology, and the delicate ecosystem that thrives within. This was my favorite of the Branson cave tours because of the size of the formations and the extensive history shared by our guide.
Highlights on this tour include:
- enter/exit through a door in the gift shop which has great prices on rocks and souvenirs
- descending 100 feet into a vertical cave
- the best opportunity to see large-scale stalagmites, stalactites, draperies, and other formations
- 750-foot walk through the cave
- concrete walkways and handrails
- ample lighting for photography
Outside the cave, there are many things to do on the property including mini golf, gemstone mining, free family games, and hiking the nature trail to the Lookout Tower. You can bring lunch and make a day out of your visit.
This Cave is Recommended For: all ages who can handle moderate exercise as there are some steps and inclines but nothing too strenuous. People in good health who are okay with heights and enclosed spaces. There are a total of 265 steps.
Days/Hours of Operation: Open year-round rain or shine. January weekdays are 12 pm to 5 pm and weekends 9:30 am to 5 pm, February to May 9:30 am to 5 pm, June to August 9 am to 6 pm, and September to December 9:30 to 5 pm.
Admission: $26.95 for adults and $16.95 for children aged 4-12. Free for children aged 3 and under.
Address: 423 Fairy Cave Lane, Branson West
Conclusion – Springfield, Missouri, and the surrounding areas are a treasure trove of captivating caves and caverns just waiting to be explored. From the mesmerizing formations of Talking Rocks Cavern to the accessible tram tour of Fantastic Caverns, and the adrenaline-pumping adventures in Marvel Cave, there’s something for everyone.
So gather your family, don your explorer hats, and embark on an unforgettable subterranean journey in this wondrous part of the country. The attractions caverns near Branson, MO, and Springfield offer a unique opportunity to marvel at nature’s masterpieces while creating cherished memories with your loved ones. Get ready to embark on an adventure you’ll never forget!
Visit Springfield invited me to participate in a Cave Weekend to experience these six incredible caves in the Ozarks as well as other area attractions. I had a blast exploring each of them and learning about the many secret mysteries they contain.
From fascinating tours led by knowledgeable guides to thrilling adventures into the depths of the earth, this was an unforgettable experience. All accommodations, experiences, and meals were provided for editorial purposes. All opinions are my own.
If you’re looking for a unique way to spend time with your family or explore nature’s beauty, then be sure to check out the cave attractions in and near Springfield, MO. There’s something for everyone and you won’t be disappointed!
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