North America is home to some of the most awe-inspiring caves in the world. From Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park to California’s Jewel Cave National Monument, these subterranean marvels offer visitors a chance to explore the hidden underworld beneath our feet. Here are ten of the best caves to explore on the continent.
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1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
The Carlsbad Caverns are a series of more than 119 caves located in southeastern New Mexico. The caves were formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone, creating massive underground chambers and passageways.
The Caverns are home to a variety of cave wildlife, including bats, mice, and spiders.
Planning your visit
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open year-round (with the exception of Christmas Day), but the best time to visit is between May and September when temperatures are cooler. Guided tours are available.
2. Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world, with more than 200 miles of explored passageways. The cave is known for its sparkling calcite crystals, which give it a jewel-like appearance.
Planning your visit
Jewel Cave National Monument is open from Mid-May to Mid-September during the day.
3. Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico
Lechuguilla Cave is a beautiful and remote cave located in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The cave is known for its delicate gypsum formations and rare underground organisms.
Lechuguilla is also the second deepest cave in the continental United States, reaching a depth of more than 1,600 feet.
Planning your visit
Unlike many of the other caves on this list, Lechuguilla Cave is only accessible to qualified cavers with permits. Permits are issued through a lottery system.
4. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, with more than 400 miles of explored passageways. The cave is known for its massive size and complex network of chambers and tunnels.
Planning your visit
Mammoth Cave National Park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between April and October when temperatures are cooler. Guided tours are available, or you can explore the caves on your own.
5. Crystal Cave, California
The Crystal Cave is a beautiful cave located in Sequoia National Park. The cave is known for its stunning marble formations and crystal-clear waters.
The Marble Cave is also home to a variety of interesting animals, including the recently discovered cave crickets.
Planning your visit
The Crystal Cave is closed for the 2022 season due to damage from wildfires. It’s anticipated that it will be open again in 2023 after repairs have been completed.
6. Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon
The Oregon Caves consist of over 15,000 feet of passages. The caves are known for their complex network of passageways and beautiful marble formations. You can see rare plants and insects in this cold and damp environment.
Planning your visit
Oregon Caves National Monument is open from mid-April through Labor Day. Guided tours are available for anyone who wants to see the caves.
7. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Wind Cave is one of the world’s longest and most complex cave systems, with more than 140 miles of explored passageways.
The cave is known for its rare and delicate formations, including the fragile boxwork formed by calcite crystals.
Wind Cave National Park is also home to abundant wildlife, including bison, elk, and the endangered South Dakota black-footed ferret.
Planning your visit
Access to the caves is only available within a guided tour. The tours range from moderate to strenuous.
The Garden of Eden Tour is the easiest tour, with a duration of about 1 hour. You can see boxwork, cave popcorn, and frostwork on this tour.
The more strenuous Fairground Tour is much more difficult, with uneven and steep stairs to climb – it should only be taken on by experienced cavers.
8. Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Alberta
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is a national historic site located in Banff National Park. The site is home to the world’s first national park and includes a network of caves and tunnels that were used by the park’s early visitors.
There is much to learn about indigenous history, geology, and ecology at this site.
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is also home to a variety of rare and endangered animals, including the white-tailed deer, the Rocky Mountain elk, and the American bison.
Planning your visit
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between May and September when temperatures are warmer. Take a guided tour and explore the gift shop!
9. Cueva de Villa Luz, Mexico
Cueva de Villa Luz is a beautiful cave located in the state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The cave is known for its stunning stalactites and other unique organisms.
The environment inside the cave is unique due to the colloidal sulfur content in the water. This causes a gaseous mixture to fill the cave, making it difficult for humans to breathe.
You can only enter the cave wearing an oxygen mask. It also gives the water a milky white appearance.
Planning your visit
Cueva de Villa Luz is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its special qualities and unique environment. Because of the hazards associated with gaseous fumes, they should only be explored within a guided tour.
10. Lava Beds National Monument, California
The Lava Beds National Monument is a national monument located in northeastern California. The monument is home to a large network of lava tubes, or caves formed by lava flows.
The Lava Beds National Monument is also home to a variety of rare and endangered animals, including the American pika and the Great Basin rattlesnakes.
Planning your visit
The Lava Beds National Monument is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between May and September when temperatures are cooler. Guided tours are available, or you can explore the monument on your own.
Cave exploration can be a fun and rewarding way to learn about the geological history of an area, as well as its diverse wildlife.
Whether you’re exploring a well-known cave-like Wind Cave National Park or Cueva de Villa Luz, or checking out a lesser-known cave such as Lava Beds National Monument, make sure to take precautions and follow all safety guidelines.
And always remember to respect the caves and the animals that call them home.
Safety Tips for Exploring Caves
- Always check with the local land management agency for cave closures and advisories before you visit.
- Stay on established trails and never touch the cave formations.
- Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes.
- Be aware of your surroundings and watch for signs of danger, such as falling rocks or rising waters.
- Never go into a cave alone. Make sure you have a partner with you at all times.
- Do not bring food or drinks into the cave, as this can attract animals.
- Wear appropriate clothing, such as long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, to protect your skin from scrapes and scratches.
Have you ever explored a cave? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below!
