laurel caverns tours prices

Welcome to Laurel Caverns

Home to Pennsylvania’s largest cave. Over four miles of passages. Call for Tour Information (800) 515 – 4150

LAUREL CAVERNS IS NOW OPEN FOR ITS 60TH SEASON

Mailing address.

Laurel Caverns

P. O. Box 62,

Hopwood, PA

DO NOT SEND MAIL TO OUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS, PLEASE USE THIS MAILING ADDRESS.

Hours of Operation

Our schedule for every week, without exception, including holidays, through the last sunday in october.

Monday  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Tuesday  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Wednesday  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Thursday  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Friday  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Saturday  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sunday  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Laurel Caverns GPS Location

Physical address.

GPS 1065 Skyline Drive, Farmington, PA 15437

Laurel Caverns is off route 40 east of Uniontown, Pennsylvania

Geographically, it is about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh

Nearby sites are: The Summit Inn, Fort Necessity National Park,

Nemacolin Woodlands, Ohiopyle State Park, Kentuck Knob, and Fallingwater

Rain is never a problem. The cave temperature is a constant 52 degrees.

Important Information

Reservations are not required unless.

Reservations are only needed for groups of 15 or more people wanting a private tour.

Scout troops need to call for reservations, regardless of numbers so they can be put on our schedule.

Reservations are required if one wishes to bring a group of fifteen or more from a lawfully structured educational institution (schools, summer camps, scout groups, church groups, etc.)

Please call 724-438-3003 and ask for Lillian to get group rates, discuss combining the guided tour with the self-guided option, learn more, have accommodation questions answered, and/or book a tour.

The Six Ways to See Laurel Caverns

1. the traditional guided tour.

This option has no steps, involves 600 feet of walking over the easiest trails in the lit portion of Laurel Caverns. It is available seven days a week between 9:00 am & 4:00 pm. Tours leave every twenty minutes and last about a half hour. This tour is designed for the general public and does not require special equipment or clothing, other than a light jacket or sweater. The cave temperature is 52 o year-round. Those who take this option may also take the Self-Guided Tour at no additional cost.

$17  age 18-65

$15  over age 65, $13  age 12-17, $11  age 5-11, $3  4 & under., $0 infants.  .

2. The Self-Guided Tour

This option has about 100 steps and involves 800 feet of walking over the most difficult trails in the lit portion of Laurel Caverns. It is available seven days a week between 9:00 am & 4:00 pm. A brief orientation is provided and the tour lasts about a half hour. It does not include the traditional tour path. It is ideal for those in excellent health with a tight schedule. It also serves those who already know the cave’s history and geology, either from this website or the traditional tour. Rates are: $17- age 18-65; $15- over age 65; $13- age 12-17; $11- age 5-11; $3- 4 & under. $0- Infants.

3. Field Trips, Scouts, and Group Tours

To meet the often-specialized needs of schools, summer camps, scout groups, church youth groups, family reunions, and the like, this option has many options. Accommodation needs are extremely important, though often challenging to meet due the natural architecture of Laurel Caverns. For groups wanting add-ons, Laurel Caverns offers its Fun Patch Program, Panning for Gemstones, The Grottoes of Learning, and even grab bags. Specialized geology programs are also available. Call Lillian at 724-438-3003 for rates, requests, reservations, and answers to your questions.

4. The Introduction to Cave Exploring Program

This was created for those not wanting, or not qualifying for the Laurel Caverns Half-Day and All-Day Caving Programs.

  Rate: $20 per participant regardless of age

For Walk-Ins

This caving program is offered every Saturday & Sunday at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.

For scouts, religious organizations, schools, & summer camps

This caving program is offered every day at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Call: 724-438-3003 for group rates and reservations

Requirements

1. Participants must have reached their 9 th birthday.

2. All participants should wear long pants and long-sleeved shirt/sweater suitable for crawling.

3. All participants must wear firmly fitting hiking shoes, tennis shoes, or the like, with good tread.

4. All groups must have at least one supervising adult participant.

5. The Half-Day Cave Exploring Program

This was created for those not wanting the All-Day Caving Program.  

  Rate: $40 per participant regardless of age

1. Participants must have reached their 12 th birthday.

3. All participants must wear firmly fitting shoes, with good tread, that lace above the ankles.

4. All participants must bring two sources of light.

5. All participants must sign the Laurel Caverns Caving Release Form  

6. Parental Release Form co-signatures are required for participants under 18 years old.

6. All-Day Cave Exploring

Rate: $60 per participant regardless of age

This caving program is offered every Saturday & Sunday at 9:00 am.

This caving program is offered every day at 9:00 am.

Laurel Caverns Caving Map

(Click to expand map made by Ryan Maurer Cartologist)

ADDITIONAL LAUREL CAVERNS ATTRACTIONS

At Laurel Caverns, we take learning underground.

The Grottos of Learning

With about 10,000 sq. ft. the Grottoes is the largest simulated cave in the world. It was created for the purpose of studying the birth and growth rate of stalactites. Here, children may see real stalactites while, with the lanterns provided, safely explore a dark cave. They are also invited to play archeologist and find 12 animal paintings put there by “prehistoric cavemen.” This is an ideal cave exploring activity for children between 4 and 9 years of age.

$7 Regular Rate

$6 group rate.

Panning for Gemstones

This popular activity is done in a cave-like setting in a room adjacent to the Laurel Caverns Gift Shop. Participants are given a card showing all the gems they might find, a sand-filled bag containing those gems, a bag to hold the gems, and a sifting tray. They then work the tray in a waist-high water trough that simulates those used to pan for gold in he 1800s. The cost per bag varies with size and market conditions, but there is an effort to keep the cost at Laurel Caverns below what is charged elsewhere.

Family Lookout

Lookout off the back deck of the Laurel Caverns facility and see a beautiful view high above on Chestnut Ridge.

VIRTUAL TOUR

Support Laurel Caverns Conservancy by taking our

Welcome to Laurel Caverns. It’s our hope that you will participate in our virtual tour with David Cale. By renting this video you are helping the Laurel Caverns Conservancy preserve Laurel Caverns for future generations. We thank you and hope you enjoy this virtual tour.

Laurel Caverns is an incredible place and your patronage is greatly appreciated.

We have a dedicated staff.

From management to guides and everyone in between Laurel Caverns staff are local professionals.

Certified Experience

Our caving staff are seasoned professionals with first aid and current CPR certifications.

Our Tours are reasonably priced

Laurel Caverns receives no public funding.   Yet, its ticket prices are at or below those of other caves.   By visiting Laurel Caverns you are helping the Laurel Caverns Conservancy preserve the largest natural bat hibernaculum in the northeast United States, and the 435 acres above its four miles of passages, for future generations.  

Located in Fayette County PA

Laurel Caverns is 8 miles from Hopwood, PA 15445 and 11 miles from Farmington, PA 15437, surrounded by the Forbes State Forest.

Souvenir Shop

Reasonably priced items are available so that every child can afford a souvenir. Also available, if shopping time is a problem for school groups, are pre-set souvenir packages of a variety of items.

Group Arrangements

Reservations are required if one wishes to bring a group of fifteen or more from a lawfully structured educational institution (schools, summer camps, scout groups, church groups, etc.). Please call 724-438-3003 and ask for Lillian to get group rates, book a group tour, or make other special arrangements.

Home to Pennsylvania’s largest cave.

Laurel Caverns is 8 miles from Hopwood, PA 15445 and 11 miles from Farmington, PA 15437, surrounded by the Forbes State Forest.  For purposes of GPS, put in 1065 Skyline Drive, Farmington, Pennsylvania.  Please read our directions.

Laurel Caverns is a large natural calcareous sandstone cave located 50 miles south of Pittsburgh.   Most of the passage ceilings in its four mile labyrinth are between ten and twenty feet high (many as high as 50 feet) with an average width of over twelve feet.  This makes it the largest cave in Pennsylvania.  If classified as a sandstone cave, it is the largest sandstone cave in the world.  The cave itself is situated beneath a 435 acre privately owned geological preserve.  Because this property is at the top of Chestnut Ridge, all of the water that enters the cave is pristine.

The cost of maintaining this preserve is only funded by cave admissions, program admissions, and our gift shop.  No local, state or federal tax dollars are used for either the support of this private preservation initiative or for the support of its educational programs.  For this reason your patronage is greatly appreciated.

Because of its size, Laurel Caverns is also the largest natural bat hibernaculum in the north-eastern United States.  In commitment to its preservation mission, the cave is closed during winter months for the bat’s winter hibernation season.  Therefore, visitors will not likely see bats since the cave is open during the spring, summer, and fall months when bats have left the cave.

Local Accommodations, Campgrounds & Interests

Directions & Phone Information

Gps location.

Physical Mail this address please

MAILING ADDRESS:

When we open on April 18th 2024 Following Days and times we are open

Call for tour information, call for tour information, 800.515.4150, local information for problems or questions, 724.438.3003, share us on social media.

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Ultimate Guide to Laurel Caverns, Pennsylvania (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

We may have been compensated for this post. Please keep in mind that it affects you in no way financially. If an item is being reviewed, we are not obligated to give a positive review and always use our own words. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. If you would like a review done contact Dannelle at [email protected]

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If you are looking forward to a day full of adventure, you must visit Laurel Caverns . It is the largest cave in Pennsylvania, with more than 3 miles of natural passage. When you come here, you will get an opportunity to spend 2 hours beneath the famous Laurel Highlands.  

Laurel Caverns, Pennsylvania

The Laurel Caverns is a privately owned show cave founded in 1968. Before this, the caverns were unregulated wild caves known only to the locals and others by word of mouth. After the cave was founded, the rocky floor in the upper cave was filled with sand from within the cave to make the tours safer. Lights have been installed too for the benefit of the visitors. 

History of Laurel Caverns

Before the first pyramids were built, a portion of the cave’s passage closest to the edge of the hillside had collapsed. A sinkhole was formed, and the entrance to Laurel Caverns lay at the bottom of this sinkhole. The Native Americans were the first humans who discovered the entrance to the cave. Overall these years, several arrowheads have been found near the cave’s opening. 

There is no definite information on when the Native Americans first entered the cave. Still, it was likely before 1776 because, in that year, James Downard quarried the edge of the limestone bed in the cave around 2000 ft south of the cave’s entrance. The first deed was done in 1794, but that deed did not include the cave’s entrance.

Richard Freeman was the 1st official owner of the cave who acquired 400 acres adjoining Downard. In 1814, Delaney purchased the 36 acres around the cave’s entrance from Freeman and expanded his farm to 114 acres, thereby owning the then well-known cave. 

In 1798 the cave was much publicized after two Smithfield men got lost in the cave for three days. The two men ultimately survived, but the cave entrance was sealed off for many years after this incident. In 1816 the first recorded geological survey took place at the cave on the Delaney Farm. In 1823 John Delaney died, and the farm was abandoned.

However, his name remained associated with the cave for almost 140 years. The name Laurel Hill Caves was not being used anymore after many years. The local people called it Delaney’s Cave. The entrance of the guided tour area did not exist till 1910. During those days, one could enter the cave only by crawling through difficult passages. 

The ownership of the cave changed many hands over the years, but the actual developmental work began in May 1962. The small catacomb passages were developed for the guided tours, but the larger lower rooms were considered too pushed back into the mountain for most people to walk. In 1962 there was no electricity in the cave, and power was supplied only by a generator.

A brand new Visitors Center came up in 1969, but it never violated the ambiance of the old main entrance of the cave. After 1993 a simulated cave was designed and built to benefit the physically challenged children and those on school field trips. 

Geological Cave Formations in the Laurel Caverns

It is the biggest cave in Pennsylvania and one of the state’s most popular caves for its various engrossing tour options. However, what makes these caverns different from the other caves in the state is the scarcity of geological formations. The caverns have a lower calcium content, making the passage walls very smooth. There are only a handful of stalactites and stalagmites in the cave. When you tour the cave, you will think that Laurel Caverns is more a dry creek bed than a traditional cave. 

Is Laurel Caverns Haunted?

Some people say that eerie things do happen at the caverns when the number of visitors is less. Still, all these are said to be rumors because the majority of the visitors to the caverns have not experienced anything spooky, and they refuse to believe that the cave is haunted. 

How Big is Laurel Caverns?

The Laurel Caverns has a length of 16 312 ft. 

Laurel Caverns Tours

Laurel Caverns, the largest cave in Pennsylvania, boasts three lighted tour options. These trips have been designed keeping in mind the public, and participation in these tours does not require the use of any kind of special equipment or clothing. 

The Traditional Tour

It is a 30 min guided tour that involves a long walk (600 ft) through some of the most accessible passages in Laurel Caverns. The tour does not include any steps on the way. The part of the cave that is covered in the Traditional Tour is said to be a maze, and one would see about 1200 ft of colorfully lighted passages.

The guide on tour will show you the different geological formations and the history of the cave and gives you an insight into the resident bat population. The steep slopes of some of the passages on this tour cause an optical illusion known as a gravity hill. This phenomenon is said to be the mainstay of the guided tour of the caves.

At the end of the tour, there is a sound and light show included in the tour price. When the tour ends, one can opt for the Self-Guided tour, for which there is no extra charge. 

The Self-Guided Tour

It is a 30 min tour that involves a 1200 ft long walk through some of the largest, longest, and steepest passages of the lighted part of the caverns. A brief orientation is provided at the start of the tour, and there are about 100 steps in the tour. It is to be noted that this tour does not include the 600 ft that is covered in the traditional tour.

The geology and history of the Laurel Caverns are explained through the displays in the Grand Canyon passage. The arrows will show you the way through the cave, and there are employees of the Laurel Caverns who monitor this tour and are always available for your help. At the end of the tour, one may opt for the Traditional Tour at no additional charge, but one must wait for the guide. 

The Combo Tour

It is a 60-minute excursion that allows one to see the full lighted portions of the cave. There are no additional charges for this tour. One will begin with the Traditional Tour and end with the larger and steeper passages in the lighted portion of the cave. If you are coming in groups, you may request a guide on this tour. 

Laurel Caverns Spelunking

This is meant for serious caving enthusiasts who do not mind getting dirty, can move through tight spaces, and can move large boulders. To participate in the tour, you must have multiple light sources, a good pair of shoes, and proper clothing. A half-day tour usually lasts for 3 hours. 

Laurel Caverns Basic Caving Program

It is another name for the Upper Caving Tours. In this tour, the participants can view both the upper and middle zones of the Laurel Caverns. In these tours, the physical challenges are immense, and all participants should be trained in safe caving practices. All participants must be above nine years of age, wear proper hiking shoes, carry two light sources, and wear clothes that cover arms and legs. 

Laurel Caverns Tour Prices and Discounts

Reservations are not required for the lighted portions of the tour unless you are coming in a group of fifteen persons or more. The rates are the same for all the tours – Traditional, Self-guided, and combo. 

• Adults – USD 15
• Senior Citizens – USD 12 
• Children (5 years and up) – USD 10

Laurel Caverns Spelunking (half-day)

• Adults – USD 40 pp

Upper Caving Tour

• Adults – USD 20 

Is Laurel Caverns Cold?

The cave temperature remains constant at 52 degrees throughout the year, making it a perfect escape on a hot summer day. 

What to Wear?

What you will wear to the caves will depend significantly on the tour you have chosen. However, a few basic requirements are a must to visit Laurel Caverns. For clothing, you need long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and hiking boots that have good tread. You should also bring a set of fresh clothes as you might get dirty on the tours. 

Laurel Caverns Hours

The Laurel Caverns is open on all days of the week. It operates from 9:30 in the morning to 4:00 pm. 

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What to Do at Laurel Caverns (Beside Tours)

Cave exploration is the main activity that you can do at the Laurel Caverns. Once you climb out to the surface, you can do the gemstone panning activity, check out a simulated cave or view the Pittsburgh skyline on a clear day. 

The Grottos of Learning

Spread across 10,000 sq ft, the Grottos of Learning is the largest simulated cave in the world. The cave was created to study the birth and growth of geological formations like stalactites. It is an excellent place for the kids as they can view real stalactites and even explore a dark cave with lanterns. It is an ideal exploring activity for kids aged 4 to 9 years. 

Panning for Gemstones

It is a popular activity in a cave-like setting in a room located right next to the Laurel Caverns gift shop. The participants are given a card wherein they know all about the gems they might find, a shifting tray, and a bag to hold the gems they find. The cost of this bag depends upon the size, but it is usually less than what is charged elsewhere. 

Family Lookout

There is a Lookout facility on the back deck of the Laurel Caverns facility, which affords a beautiful view of the surroundings.  

Souvenir Shop

The souvenir shop has reasonably priced items so that everyone can afford a lovely souvenir. The prices of the souvenirs start from USD 3, and you will get plush toys, T-shirts, and small gift items. 

Best Time to Visit Laurel Caverns

Laurel Caverns is the biggest natural bat hibernaculum in Pennsylvania. The cave remains closed to the public during the primary months of the bat hibernation season, from November to April. So, you must visit Laurel Caverns anytime between May and October as the cave remains empty of bats. 

How to Get to Laurel Caverns

These caverns are at the top of a Chestnut Ridge and thousands of acres of forest lands that are publicly owned. The caverns are in the midst of a 4-mile by 5-mile forested area with just one good paved road. It must be remembered that all roads leading to Laurel Caverns are paved, and you must use the roadside signs with common sense to reach Laurel Caverns. 

If you are coming from Hopwood, you take Route 40 EAST for three miles to reach the top of Summit Mountain. Then turn right past the entrance to the Historic Summit Inn and get on Skyline Drive. Now follow Skyline Drive for five miles, and the entrance to Laurel Caverns will be on your right. 

Hotels near Laurel Caverns

There are camping sites and quality hotels near Laurel Caverns to enjoy quality accommodation. Benner’s Camping & Cabins, Hopwood Motel, and The Lodge at Chalk Hill are some of the best accommodation options near Laurel Caverns. 

Places To Stay Nearby

Download our laurel caverns guide (unofficial) here:.

Laurel Caverns, Caves, Cave Guide, Digital Download, Printable Download, Instant Download, Natural Science, Science Lesson, STEM

Laurel Caverns Fun Facts

• This place has 3 miles of passageways and a depth of about 46 stories. 
• The first recorded exploration of the caverns took place in the 1760s. 
• Since the caverns are popular with school field trips, it follows a strict no-firearms policy. 

Wildlife in Laurel Caverns

The Laurel Caverns is the largest bat hibernaculum in Pennsylvania, and it remains closed to the public from November to April to protect the bat populations. The cave doors are open again in May, and people are allowed to visit till October. 

Laurel Caverns Details 

• Length: 16, 312 ft
• Time Recommended: 2 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Dog-friendly: Yes
• Fees: USD 15 onwards
• Hours: 9:30 in the morning to 4:00 pm

Download our Laurel Caverns Guide (Unofficial) 

Visiting Laurel Caverns

Do you need more information before visiting Laurel Caverns? Call (800) 515 – 4150 for an information packet. 

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Uncovering the History and Beauty of Laurel Caverns

I’ve visited many different caves in Pennsylvania and the world, and after a while, they all tend to look a bit the same. So, while I knew Laurel Caverns in the Laurel Highlands would be beautiful and interesting, I figured it would be rather similar to the other caves I had visited in the past. Fortunately, I was wrong.

Laurel Caverns is located along Chestnut Ridge, not too far away from the Summit Inn ,  Ohiopyle State Park , and the Great Cross of Christ . The forested setting in the middle of Forbes State Forest, which is also home to the Quebec Run Wild Area and the highest point in PA , gives the area a peacefulness that you don’t see at many other caves in Pennsylvania.

As Pennsylvania’s largest cave and one of the largest private caves in the country, Laurel Caverns is special because of its size. In addition, its geological makeup and unique activities make it definitely worth visiting.

A Brief History of Laurel Caverns

The first non-Native Americans to discover the cave did so in the mid-18th century. However, Native Americans clearly knew about the cave before then, and may have even entered it from time to time, as arrowheads have been found around a sinkhole that was the original entrance to the cave.

The first owner of the cave was Richard Freeman, who acquired the land in 1794, and, by 1798, the cave was mentioned for the first time in a newspaper. In 1814, John Delaney purchased the land around the cave, and while an 1816 geologic survey named the cave “Laurel Hill Cave,” the name “Delaney’s Cave” is what ultimately stuck.

The land changed hands several times over the coming years, but there was no official oversight of the cave. This didn’t stop local hotels from offering tours and people from showing up and checking it out for themselves as the cave became more and more famous.

In 1937, the Cale family purchased all of the land around the cave to preserve it from limestone quarrying. Despite regular discussions about opening the cave up for tours, it wasn’t until 1964 that the work was done to make it into a show cave.

By that time, the name had been changed to Laurel Caverns, an approximation of the original name from 1816. And, while they haven’t always owned the cave, the Cale family has been running Laurel Caverns ever since.

Visiting the Laurel Caverns

Laurel Caverns offers several different options for visiting the caves. In addition to the standard guided tour, visitors can also go rappelling or spelunking inside the caverns. In fact, Laurel Caverns is one of the few show caves that also offers spelunking.

Two spelunking tours are offered that cover two different parts of the cave. While the trips are guided, visitors go much deeper into the cave than on a traditional tour and traverse areas that have no power and very few visitors.

Unfortunately, because I was traveling with a small child, spelunking wasn’t an option, so I opted for a traditional tour of the caverns.

The Traditional Guided Tours of Laurel Caverns last about an hour and take you through some very impressive parts of the cave, and even include a cheesy sounding, but surprisingly cool, light show.

What makes Laurel Caverns so different from other caves in Pennsylvania is its lack of geological formations. Because the caverns have a lower calcium content, the passage walls are very smooth, and there are few stalagmites and stalactites in the cave.

In fact, it almost reminded me more of a mine or a dry creek bed than a traditional cavern, though it did bear some resemblance to Woodward Cave in Centre County . However, this lack of traditional formations makes the cave much more unique, and it’s interesting to find out how this cave was created.

Throughout the cave, you can see a fault line above you from where the cavern was created by shifting earth. There are also columns in the cave that were created when the water that used to run through the cave rushed through passages and took away the looser soil, leaving behind only the hard rock formations visible today.

The cave’s formations also create some passages that are deceptively steep. One of the more interesting parts of the cave is the gravity-defying optical illusion where it appears a ball is rolling uphill!

Throughout the cave, colored lights highlight various aspects of the cave. Near the end of the tour, the guide runs through a light show that gives you the chance to not only experience the pitch black of the cave but also showcases the cave in a unique way.

Back inside the visitors center, make sure you don’t miss the impressive view from the back deck. It is said that on a clear day, you can see five counties from here and even the skyline of downtown Pittsburgh !

Overall, I was really glad that I was invited to visit Laurel Caverns. Even if you’ve been to many other caves in Pennsylvania , this one is worth seeing and will give you the chance to see something a bit different than you’ll find at other caves around the state.

And, I know I can’t wait to go back again to explore the depths of Laurel Caverns on a spelunking trip!

Note: My visit was hosted by Laurel Caverns. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

Laurel Caverns

See map below for other area attractions.

Great places to stay in Fayette County

• Nemacolin Woodlands Resort - One of the top hotels in Pennsylvania.
• Connellsville Bed and Breakfast - Rated the best Bed and Breakfast in Connellsville on Trip Advisor.
• Histoic Summit Inn - A historic hotel with modern ammenities.
• Hampton Inn - Rated the best value hotels in the county on Trip Advisor.
• Find more great places to stay on Airbnb!

Click the map to see more nearby things to do

More nearby places worth exploring

Visiting the Historic West Overton Village

Hiking the Flat Rock Trail in Linn Run State Park

How to Get to Cole Run Falls and the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Forbes State Forest

Hiking to the Stunning Overlook Tower in Laurel Hill State Park

Find more things to do in the laurel highlands.

Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. Based in Carlisle near Harrisburg, Jim frequently travels around Pennsylvania and has visited, written about, and photographed all 67 counties in the state. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world.

5 thoughts on “Uncovering the History and Beauty of Laurel Caverns”

The mini golf there is great too – it’s fun, but it’s also designed as an accessible replica of a cave for those that can’t make the regular tour due to mobility issues.

I am interested in learning about new and interesting places to visit.

I did the spelunking tour with a friend and a guide about 10 years ago now… it was pretty exhausting and quite a few dangerous spots. I’m glad I experienced it but that was the first and last time.

As a child back in the 1940s we used to play in the cave known then as Delaneys cave. Sledding was great on the summit mountain when it snowed. The highway was 3 lanes then, middle suicide lane with truck runoffs going down. There are bears in the mountain so you have to be careful exploring. At the bottom of the mountain is a town called Hopwood which had many runaway trucks plow thru houses and one diner. There was also a store with monkeys caged up on the outside.

Poor monkeys!

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200 Caverns Park Road Farmington, PA 15437 Phone: 800-515-4150 Region: Laurel Highlands

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Laurel Caverns

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LAUREL CAVERNS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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What is the price of admission

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Laurel Caverns Questions & Answers

The price of admission depends on what you do. My price was 20.00 for exploring the upper cave for exploring the lower cave it is 25.00 per person.

For the tour see pricing below:

TRADITIONAL TOUR Adults $12.00 Seniors $11.00 Youth (Grades 6 thru 12) $10.00 Child (Grades K thru 5) $9.00

MODIFIED TRADITIONAL TOUR Adults $11.00 Youth/child (Grades k to 12) $9.00

Pre-school child with parent – Free

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Discover the Burgh

Descending into the Earth at the Laurel Caverns

Published by Jeremy . Last Updated on November 18, 2022.

Disclaimer : We were hosted for this experience. Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions . Pricing, operating hours, or menus may have changed since our initial visit and may not be reflected in subsequent updates. Please confirm these directly with any business or attraction prior to visiting.

We are big fans of caves, and in southwest Pennsylvania, our options to go underground are a bit limited.

Closer to the city it is much easier to find an old coal mine to go deep into (like at the Tour-Ed Mine and Museum ) than it is to find a cave. But for those who want to make the drive in order to explore a gorgeous cave system (and the largest cave in Pennsylvania), the 90 minute trip to the Laurel Caverns in the southern Laurel Highlands is for you!

The Laurel Caverns Offers a Cool Trip Into a Cave

For those who go on the regular cave tour, you'll be in for a 60 minute trip with a guide through gorgeous natural rock formations all while learning the history of the cave, the geological formations (and why there are no stalactites or stalagmites), and a bit about the resident bat population as well (don't worry, we didn't see any- their population is quite low!).

Even better? The cave is a cool 52 degrees Fahrenheit all year round, making this one the perfect escape on a hot summer day!

Going beyond the natural beauty of the cave, there are also a few man-made attractions found along the way worth talking about.

The first is the mini sound and light show set to transpose “Appalachian Spring” by Copland into a light display based on the colors of the rainbow (and an opportunity to experience complete darkness in the same space- something that never gets old no matter how many times we experience it).

The second is a miniature waterfall that was recreated in the cave to mimic a formation that once existed.

Finally , you get to see a rather neat optical illusion when climbing up one of the steepest sections of the cavern. We don't want to give this one away but have to say that you really lose all perception of grade when you are completely removed from the horizon. What is flat, what is up, what is down? You really won't know until you see this one!

Overall, while the regular tour may be just a quick 60 minutes and covers just about a mile of cavern pathways, you really get a lot out of this one and it is a whole lot of fun!

Multiple Exploration Options Available

For most visitors, the ~60-minute trip down into the cave is plenty to get an understanding of the cave system and to see some rather impressive rock formations. But for those who want something a bit more intense, you have a few more options to go a few miles further into the cave!

The first trip option is known as Upper Caving and is a two-hour trip that takes place at 2pm every day, while the Lower Caving option is a three-hour trip that departs at 10am each day. On weekends the trips are offered at 10am and 2pm each day.

These are more extreme exploring tours, which require squeezing through tight passages, crawling, climbing, and more. As such, you should be prepared to get dirty and have to accommodate potential claustrophobic conditions as well. For those who want to do these more adventurous options, we recommend reading more about the rules and requirements on their website as there are a number of extra requirements (including age restrictions) beyond the base 60-minute tour.

Luckily, the regular 60-minute tour can be easily tackled by most visitors insofar as you are able to go up and down stairs and walk on a few sections of somewhat steep (and potentially slick) stone. For what it is worth, no one in our group (including a guest who I would estimate was close being 80), had trouble with these sections.

When it comes down to it, the Laurel Caverns are one of the furthest attractions we've visited for this site to date, and the spot is definitely worth the roughly 90-minute drive from Pittsburgh for the experience. We can't wait to go back for one of the lower cave tours soon!

The Laurel Caverns are located at 1065 Skyline Drive in Farmington, PA and is only open late April through the end of October. I was a guest of the Laurel Highlands Visitor Bureau for this tour. As always, all opinions are my own.

Looking for accommodations in the Laurel Highlands? Check out some great options on VRBO!

Looking for more on your way back? Grab lunch at The Summit Inn nearby (with their stunning views) or take the long way home through Ohiopyle State Park and stop at Fallingwater or  Kentuck Knob !

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Take A Day Trip To Laurel Caverns, The Deepest Cave In Pennsylvania

Beth Price-Williams

A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.

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Bucket list time! Pennsylvania boasts so many natural and man-made attractions – from Pine Creek Gorge to Falls Trail in Ricketts Glen State Park – that it would probably take a lifetime to see them all. That’s why we have to prioritize, right? If you don’t have the deepest cave in Pennsylvania on your bucket list yet, you’ll definitely want to consider including it.

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Have you been to the deepest cave in Pennsylvania? Join the conversation in the comments! Perhaps you’d like to visit a cave of a different kind – one where you can relax and recharge? Click here to read about six amazing salt caves in PA.

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Laurel Highlands Historical Village

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Laurel Caverns

Laurel Caverns Geological Park 1094 Skyline Dr, Hopwood, PA 15445 GET DIRECTIONS Toll Free: 800-515-4150 Local: 724-438-3003 Fax: 724-437-1925 Website Laurel Caverns is a 435-acre geological park featuring Pennsylvania’s largest cave. Visitors can take a guided tour of the caverns, or try their hand at a more adventurous program such as upper caving, deep caving, repelling, climbing and scout badges. It is located just fifty miles south of Pittsburgh, off Route 40, east of Uniontown.

Laurel Caverns is a large natural cave located 50 miles south of Pittsburgh.   Most of the passage ceilings in its three mile labyrinth are between ten and twenty feet high (many as high as 50 feet) with an average width of over twelve feet.  This makes it the largest cave in Pennsylvania.  The cave itself is situated beneath a 435 acre privately owned geological preserve.  Because this property is at the top of Chestnut Ridge, all of the water that enters the cave is pristine.

The cost of maintaining this preserve is only funded by cave admissions, program admissions, and our gift shop.  No local, state or federal tax dollars are used for either the support of this private preservation initiative or for the support of its educational programs.  For this reason your patronage is greatly appreciated.

Because of its size, Laurel Caverns is also the largest natural bat hibernaculum in Pennsylvania.  In commitment to its preservation mission, the cave is closed during the primary months of the bat hibernation season, November through April.  The cave is essentially empty of bats from May through October.

Spelunking – Caving

2016 Upper and Lower Caving Schedules

For those with proper preparation (see our release forms) but having no reservation, lower caving is offered at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, every day, seven days a week, April 20th through October 30, 2016.

For those with proper preparation (see our release forms) but having no reservation, upper caving is offered every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, April 23rd through October 30, 2016 and seven days a week, June 25th through Labor Day.  No reservations are needed except for groups.  Groups making advanced arrangements can have the upper caving trip on weekdays as well as weekends.

Before coming for either trip, carefully read the release form of the spelunking trip you want (upper or lower).  Be prepared (especially with two sources of light, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and shoes with good tread and ankle support), and be sure to allow enough travel time.  For reasons of safety we cannot catch-you-up with a caving trip already departed.

Flashlights are available in our gift shop at    reasonable prices.

For schools, churches, scout groups, summer camps, and so forth wanting a private guide and group rates, reservations must be made 10 days prior to visit (phone 724-438-3003).

Laurel Caverns is closed during bat hibernation season to protect the bats.  The bats depart around the middle of April.

Caving is the more contemporary term for what is popularly called spelunking.  It refers to going into a cave completely in its natural state.  Due to its conservation mission, Laurel Caverns is the only developed cave in the world having its largest rooms and passages completely in their original state.  Because the elevation difference from the upper passages of Laurel Caverns to its lower passages is about 45 stories (450 feet) two caving activities (i.e. spelunking) have been created.  For the most part, these two trips cover different parts of the cave, though both have in common the main passages of the traditional tour as well as the ballroom and the bat room.

*VERY IMPORTANT*

Both trips require participants to bring at least two good sources of light.    Also, each must wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, and shoes with good tread and ankle support.  Laurel Caverns will supply the hard hats. Each participant must also fill out and sign a release form.  Links to the forms can be found below. The cave temperature is 52 degrees.  Bring a change of clothing; this is a real caving trip and participants will get the wet sands of the cave on their clothing. Preparedness Points Emphasized by the Laurel Caverns Caving Staff for those who wish to self-outfit for Lower Caving. (Please don’t confuse this trip with our easy family guided tour.) Laurel Caverns History THE HISTORY OF LAUREL CAVERNS   *Author’s note: I am indebted to my caver-historian friend, Paul Damon, whose excellent history book on the early years of Laurel Caverns provided me with much of the information on the cave’s ownership prior to 1925. At a time long before the first pyramids were build, a portion of cave passage closest to the edge of the hillside collapsed. At the bottom of the sink hole formed by this collapse lay the entrance to Laurel Caverns. The first humans to find that entrance were Native Americans. Over the years many arrowheads have been found around that opening. No one knows when the first non-native Americans entered the cave, but the date was likely in the decade prior to 1776; by the summer of that year James Downard was quarrying the edge of the cave’s limestone bed about 2,000 feet south of the cave’s entrance. James Downard’s deed did not include the cave’s entrance. The first official cave owner was Richard Freeman who acquired the 400 acres adjoining Downard by lot drawing from the Commonwealth in 1794. That same year a John Delaney purchased the Downard quarry property to turn it into a farm. In 1814, Delaney purchased the 36 acres immediately around the cave’s entrance from Freeman, thus expanding his farm to 114 acres and giving him ownership of the, even then, the well known cave. The earliest known newspaper account of Laurel Caverns, according to historian Tom Metzgar, dates to 1798. In 1802 much local publicity was given to two Smithfield men who became lost in the cave for three days. When found, they were “locked in each others’ arms waiting for the end, almost dead.” The two men, named Crain and Simmons, survived, but the cave entrance was sealed shut for several years thereafter. In 1816 the first recorded geologic survey of any kind in western Pennsylvania took place at the cave on the Delaney farm. John Paxton, a Philadelphia journalist, visited the cave with several of Uniontown’s more prominent citizens. He gave the cave its first name, calling it “Laurel Hill Cave.” By 1816 there was a trail to the cave entrance from what is now Fairchance The Paxton article gives us tremendous insight into what it meant to explore the cave in his time. Beyond the “second room” (the dining room on modern maps) the cave is seen today exactly as it was by Paxton. Paxton noted finding Crain’s name in the cave though he doesn’t seem to know of the mishap fourteen years earlier. He also observed “the sides of every place that had been previously visited were covered with names and marks made with coal.” Graffiti has evidently been around a long time. In 1823 John Delaney died and his farm was abandoned, but his name was to remain with the cave for the next 140 years. The name Laurel Hill Cave passed out of use after several years. For local people it was “Delaney’s Cave”. In 1836 the Delaney heirs sold the Delaney Cave farm initiating a fifteen year period when the property was owned by a variety of investors. One such owner was “Judge” James Veech (1808-1879), author of the local history book, the Monongahela of Old. Another was Robert Flenniken (1802-1879). Flenniken served President Polk as Ambassador to Denmark and later served President Buchanan as Governor of the Utah Territory. It was during this period that the first references to the upper maze of sand passages can be found. The entrance to what is now the guided tour area did not exist until about 1910, and in those days this area could only be entered through a difficult crawl passage. THE HUMBERT ERA   In 1851, William Humbert purchased the Delaney farm property for $350. He and his heirs kept it for the next 75 years. William erected a cabin at the southern end of the property and farmed the land much like the Delaneys’ did. After William died in 1861, the farm was operated by his son Randolph. About 1890 the family moved to nearby Haydentown and the farm was abandoned as a home site. Seventy-five years were to pass before another permanent home was built on the property. During the Humbert era Delaney’s Cave became even more well known. The 1850’s,60’s and 70’s saw the growth along the nearby National Pike (U.S. Route 40) of several resorts. Sebastian Rush, operator of the Fayette Springs Hotel, featured visits to the cave as a major part of his summer vacation package. His ads prominently promoted the cave and greatly added to its fame. Another resort, the Summit House, also operated regular excursions to the cave. As we shall see later, the successor to the Summit House, the Mount Summit Inn, played an important role in the ownership of Laurel Caverns. By 1926 the Humbert heirs held the old Delaney Cave farm tract in three sections. Mary McDowell, granddaughter of William, decided to sell her northern third and her aunt, Virginia Humbert Smith, chose to sell the middle third which she held. Both pieces of property were rich with the limestone that Downard first worked to remove over 150 years before. Had a limestone company purchased the cave at that time, Laurel Caverns would not exist today. But that was not to be. THE CALE ERA Roy Cale, District Manager of A&P Food Stores in Southwestern Pennsylvania and a resident of Uniontown, heard the cave was up for sale by Mrs. McDowell . He alerted his cousin, Norman Cale, of the sale and the two formed a partnership to preserve the cave. Both men had been born and raised in Bruceton Mills, WV, a small community about thirteen miles from the famous cave. Roy had explored the cave many times, but Norman, owner of a small accounting firm, had never been in it. At first Roy’s enthusiasm to own and preserve a piece of land five miles from the nearest paved road didn’t make much financial sense to Norman, But it was love at first sight when Norman saw the cave itself. Norman and Roy were not the only ones the cave had that affect upon. Ralph “Buss” Bossart, a Penn State graduate in Civil Engineering, had been visiting the cave since 1921, and when he found himself unemployed due to the Depression, decided to “move” to the cave in 1933. Buzz spent the entire summer that surveying and mapping the cave. He also kept count of cave visitation (noting 1,720 visitors that summer). When Buzz finished his map he made an interesting discovery. The Cales did not own the entire cave; the huge size of the cave meant that the Cales needed to purchase much more land than the 85 acres they held. Fortunately, Norman and Roy had brought in as partners, Roy’s half-brother, Charles, and another A&P executive, Wayne Jones of Monongahela. This partnership began buying up hundreds of acres until the cave property stood at 1030 acres. For the first time the entire cave was on one deed. The year was 1936, a fateful year for the property. In 1936 the DC-2 was the “jumbo jet” of its day. On April 8 of that year, while on a flight from Newark to Pittsburgh, one of the worst civilian plane crashes of that decade took place only a few hundred yards from the cave’s entrance. A Trans-Western DC-2, dubbed “Sunracer” crashed, killing thirteen people. Initially surviving were the stewardess (Nellie Granger), the wife of the Mayor of Newark, and one other passenger.  The latter two died days later from the crash.  Nellie Granger’s long walk in search of help made her nationally famous.  The crash now has two monuments.  One at the crash site and one at Valley Forge Military Academy honoring several students killed in the crash.  It is arguable the tradegy represents the first major crash of a modern all metal passenger plane in Pennsylvania.   By 1950, Norman and his wife, Helen, were the sole owners of the cave tract, since Roy had died in 1942 and Charles and Wayne had wished to sell their interest. In 1954, Norman and Helen sold 600 acres to the Borough of Fairchance to protect their reservoir’s watershed. The remaining 430 acres has stayed intact to this day as the grounds for the Laurel Caverns’ property. The decision to develop the cave for guided tours had been discussed many times over the years. An article in the Uniontown paper dated 1886, suggested as much. However, my grandfather Norman’s final decision to proceed came in the summer of 1961. He was 68 years old, looking to spend the next three years opening a business at an age when many people are retired. My father, a Methodist minister, who had always been my grandfather’s helper at the cave, was too involved with his church work in Southern West Virginia to assist, so it fell to me to join my grandfather in the development. The work began in May of 1962. Only the small catacomb passages were developed for the guided tour. The large lower rooms were deemed too far into the mountain for most people to walk. There were no electric or phone lines at the cave’s entrance in 1962, so power was supplied by a generator. The basic tour plan and lighting design had been worked out by Buzz Bossart, who now spent his weekends at the cave along with other ‘old-timers’, Tony Yuliano, Dick Stone, John Devlin and Frank Mielcarek. To remove the sand from some of the sand-filled catacombs, contractors, Louis Rose of Dunbar and Paul Gaskill of Uniontown, provided a rail system in the cave that ran from the old main entrance to the Christmas Tree Grotto. Gaskill’s company handled all of the excavation and blasting during development. The original natural entrance was preserved untouched and excavation work was only done at the two man-made entrances to the sand cave. I had found the 1816 Paxton article while researching the cave’s history and suggested a return to the cave’s original name of Laurel, calling it Laurel Caverns. My grandfather at first felt the name Delaney was too well known. However, when Buzz concurred with me, he agreed and the name was changed back to an approximation of its 1816 name. Utilities came to the property in 1963, and the work was completed in time to open on July 1, 1964, with me taking the first guided tour. My grandfather operated the cave as a tour cave that summer. On October 8 th , he surprised his entire family by announcing the sale of the caverns’ property to two attorneys from Greensburg, Emmett C. Boyle, Jr. and Ned J. Nakles. They were both men of great character and I learned much from them.  I stayed with caverns as general manager. The job offered me an excellent way to pay for college. My assistant manager was Charles Bricker of Fairchance. Boyle and Nakles shared the preservationist sentiments of my grandfather and did nothing to disturb the 430 acres of the property. Even when a new visitors’ center was built in 1969, it was built so as not to violate the ambiance of the old main entrance. The N. E. Cale Visitors’ Center, as it was later named, was designed to resemble a state lodge and not a commercial building. The preservationist theme of the cave required that it tie up large amounts of money with little or no return. With only four months of income and twelve months of bills, running Laurel Caverns was something one did for the love of the property, not for money. In 1972, Donald Shoemaker, owner of the Mount Summit Inn Resort, agreed to purchase the cave from Boyle and Nakles and graciously provided the funding to permit me to buy a minor interest in the Caverns. Once again, with Don Shoemaker in charge, the property remained fortunate to have as an owner someone who would not subdivide it into lots or attempt to quarry its valuable limestone.  During the second half of the twentieth century the old “Great Porch” hotels were being replaced by the modern chain hotels.  Yet, against this economic pressure, Don and his wife Eunice spent those years working to preserve the historic “Summit Hotel,” built in 1907.  They succeeded and the continuing task has now been taken up by their daughter Karen and her family. In 1977, Lillian M. Gangwere of Wheeling, WV and I were married. We had met when Lillian brought her 8 th grade class on a field trip to Laurel Caverns. That same summer we designed an all metric home and began to build it on the property. The house was the first in the United States built to the metric system. In 1983 my grandfather , Norman, passed away on his 90 th birthday, and his ashes were interred near the cave entrance. Later my grandmother’s ashes were placed there also. Donald Shoemaker, always my best friend, sold his interest in the Caverns to Lillian and me in 1986, making us the sole owners of the Caverns. In 1989, the original service building, which had been used for storage for several years, was revamped as a picnic shelter. In 1993, a rappelling cliff (The Ed Coll Cliff) was built in the caverns’ upper developed area. Later a climbing wall was added and the scout programs expanded accordingly.  Classrooms have been added to accommodate groups for the programs. In 2004 another cliff, (The Tyler Grimm Cliff and climbing wall was added in the cave to accommodate the demand for these programs. None of these changes has altered the natural environment of the Caverns’ property. We are still committed to preserving this mountainside and its underground majesty for future generations. With the doctrine of inclusion, we were pleased to welcome many more physically challenged children with school field trips.  However our natural cave could not accommodate them.  So, I designed and built the largest simulated cave in the world, one that could be toured in a wheelchair.  To pay for its very substantial cost the floor was made to be used as a miniature golf course.  Work began in 1996 and it was opened in 1999 under the name Kavernputt.  David Cale   Mission Statement of the Laurel Caverns Conservancy It is the mission of the Laurel Caverns Conservancy to preserve and protect the Laurel Caverns property from commercial development and to utilize it instead for educational purposes by providing low cost learning services, with an emphasis on geology and environmentalism, to the general public, schools, summer camps, scouting groups and other such organizations while assuring them a safe and attractive environment in which to observe and study the natural qualities of this privately preserved park.

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Laurel Caverns

• Address: 1065 Skyline Drive, Farmington, PA 15437, USA, United States Map
• Phone: +1-7244382070
• Tags: Cavern, Family And Kids

Formerly referred to as Laurel Hill Cave and Dulaney's Cave, the Laurel Caverns is Pennsylvania’s deepest cave and is owned privately. It is situated beneath a geological preserve that is spread across an area of 435 acres. The cave offers spelunking, walking tours, gemstone-panning, as well as rappelling which is quite interesting. Also, because of its significant size, the Laurel Caverns also serve as Pennsylvania’s largest natural space for bat hibernation. Being situated atop the Chestnut Ridge, the water entering the cave is absolutely pristine. The cave is absolutely stunning and the tours are fabulous and would let you experience the beauty of the splendid cave.

How to Reach Laurel Caverns

• Rented Car/Taxi 
• Laurel Caverns Address: 1065 Skyline Drive, Farmington, PA 15437, USA, United States
• Laurel Caverns Contact Number: +1-7244382070
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Laurel Caverns Reviews & Ratings

Attractions Nearby

• Fallingwater
• Bear Run Nature Reserve
• Yough River Park
• Laurel Caverns Geological Park
• Natural Water Slides
• Laurel Caverns Conservancy
• Rush Baptist Church

What are the visitation days and hours

What is the price of admission?

The admission fees of Laurel Caverns are 12 USD per adult and 10 USD per child. Opting for other tours and activities will cost you extra. To know these tour prices, it is recommended that you visit the official website. 

Here's a look inside the largest cave in the Northeast: Laurel Caverns in Fayette County

If you want a cool place to spend a day this summer, you should check out Laurel Caverns in Fayette County.

“It’s the largest cave in the northeastern United States,” said David Cale, president of the Laurel Caverns Conservancy.

The property is located in a remote area of Farmington and is surrounded by Forbes State Forest. The cave is in 435 acres of picturesque mountainside that on clear days provides open views of Uniontown and Hopwood toward Pittsburgh.

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It’s a cool place for several reasons. For one, the temperature in the caverns stays at 52 degrees throughout the year. Secondly, the walls of the sandstone natural exhibit are amazing to see with unique features and landscape shapes.

About 320 million years ago, there was a deep sea over the area that eventually formed the passage ways. Cale said the calcium from the sea life glued together the grains of sand and made natural concrete.

“This is a place where you can touch the walls,” he said about calcareous sandstone walls that are mostly sand and about one-third calcium.

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“The beauty of Laurel Caverns is in the walls,” Cale explained about them being sculptured by nature. There are grooved sand patterns along the sculpted passages. “They’re very beautiful in their own design.” 

The four miles of caverns don’t have typical stalactites and stalagmites that people expect to see on cavern ceilings and floors.

One of the highlights visitors see is Calico Falls. It’s a 45-foot high water fall where water flows between levels of the caverns.

Visitors can choose between three trip options that start out at $15 for adults. For those accessing the traditional easy, lighted portion, he recommends wearing a sweater or light jacket. Trail hiking shoes are recommended, but people have worn sandals. The floor is sandy and wavy, he explained.

You can also do a self tour or a combo tour that includes a guided tour and self-guided portion.

Tours are open between  9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until the end of October. “Nobody waits more than 20 minutes for the start of a tour,” Cale said about the tours starting as people arrive.

Fun summer project: Here's why you should bury your underwear in your yard

The cave is closed over the winter months as bats hibernate in the warm caves during the colder months.

There are also trips into unlighted areas that haven’t received man-made improvements. You can explore unlit places including some of the largest rooms of the cave that have never been disturbed by human impact. “They’re looking at the cave exactly the way it was 10,000 years ago,” he said.

For those wanting to take photos, he said cellphones are able to take quality images in the lighted portions of the facility. “It’s amazing what good pictures people can get in Laurel Caverns.”

Michael Marquis, a tour guide, escorts visitors through the lighted area of the caverns.

He personally enjoys the artifacts that have been discovered near the front of the cave. Native Americans stored food in pottery in the caves. Horseshoes dating back before the Civil War were also found there.

“We do a sound and light show. … Everyone enjoys it and it should be on your bucket list,” he said about different colored lights and music in the caverns.

The caves are popular for a variety of people. Marquis said there have been eight weddings in the part of the cave called the Chapel area. He also likes looking at the sea shell fossils that are in the walls of the caves.

“We have a lot of stuff to do here,” he said about additional activities for children including a scavenger hunt and mining for gem stones.

Background 

Cale said the facility is operated as a conservancy. It’s a preservation program to preserve Laurel Caverns for future generations while at the same time using it for educational purposes.

He created and founded the conservancy.  He said his grandfather owned the land and then sold it. Fortunately, the owners realized the cave needed to be preserved and it was sold to Don Shumaker, owner of the nearby Summit Inn.

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Shumaker later sold the property to Cale, who formed the conservancy as a way to keep it operating by people who want to preserve the cave. 

“People can support Laurel Caverns by just coming here and taking a tour. We don’t look for financial support. We don’t take any government money. We are entirely self sufficient just with the people who come here,” he said.

“We just operate with the money that comes in,” Cale said about the 50,000 people who visit the site each year. “We’re here to preserve and educate.”

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at [email protected] and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on your website's homepage under your login name. Follow him on social media @whipkeyoutdoors.

Laurel Caverns

Descend into the enchanting world of Laurel Caverns, a captivating underground wonder located near Benner's Meadow Run. This subterranean treasure trove invites adventurers of all ages to embark on guided tours through its mystical chambers and passageways. Marvel at the mesmerizing formations of stalactites, stalagmites, and delicate crystals that adorn the cave's interior, each a testament to the intricate artistry of nature.

As you venture deeper into the caverns, knowledgeable guides share tales of the cave's formation and history, adding depth to your underground journey. The experience is a thrilling blend of education and exploration, where you'll witness the stunning results of millions of years of geological activity. Whether you're an avid spelunker or simply curious about the mysteries hidden beneath the Earth's surface, Laurel Caverns promises a mesmerizing adventure into the heart of the Laurel Highlands' geological heritage.

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Laurel Caverns - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Laurel Caverns

1065 Skyline Drive, Farmington , Pennsylvania 15437-1144 USA

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“Weave through this wondrous three mile labyrinth”

Do not think of Laurel Caverns as a typical tourist cave. As a calcareous sandstone cave, the typical stalactites are geologically replaced by highly sculptured sandstone walls pre-designed by wind currents millions of years ago. Laurel Caverns is one of the deepest caves in the United States; so the traditional tour, has the feel of a real cave adventure.  On the traditional tour there are stairs and sloped floors to walk down as well as walk up; so, the tour can be very strenuous for some. The elevation from the visitors’ center to the lowest point on the traditional tour is 150 feet (and this is only a third of the way to the cave’s lowest point). The presence of steps and the natural sandy floor of the cave make the use of strollers and wheel chairs impossible. Shoes appropriate to such a terrain are strongly recommended. Never wear high heels to a cave. The cave temperature is 52 degrees year around, so a sweater or jacket should be worn. Laurel Caverns is a large natural cave located 50 miles south of Pittsburgh. Most of the passage ceilings in its three mile labyrinth are between ten and twenty feet high (many as high as 50 feet) with an average width of over twelve feet. This makes it the largest cave in Pennsylvania. The cave itself is situated beneath a 435 acre privately owned geological preserve.   Our traditional guided tour lasts about one hour and covers all those passages that can be reached without climbing down or up over rocks. All passages on the traditional guided tour are lighted. There are no age restrictions on this tour and no special equipment is needed. However, Laurel Caverns follows the natural slope of the mountain. The total underground walking distance on the traditional tour is about 3,000 feet, covering about 20% of the cave’s three miles of passages. Because this property is at the top of Chestnut Ridge, all of the water that enters the cave is pristine. The cost of maintaining this preserve is only funded by cave admissions, program admissions, and our gift shop. No local, state or federal tax dollars are used for either the support of this private preservation initiative or for the support of its educational programs. For this reason your patronage is greatly appreciated. Because of its size, Laurel Caverns is also the largest natural bat hibernaculum in Pennsylvania. In commitment to its preservation mission, the cave is closed during the primary months of the bat hibernation season, November through April. The cave is essentially empty of bats from May through October.

Reviewed by wes.kasik

Don't count on seeing the caves unless you wait for the next tour, which is then one hour long. You aren't allowed to see a lick of cave without paying for a tour. No photos, no nothing. Exactly how mother nature intended. Horrible.

Reviewed by mbohman

Went on the Lower Cave tour which required flash lights and hard hats. By far the best experience I've had in nature. You could take as many pictures as you'd like, so long as you weren't afraid of your camera becoming water logged. I would recommend it for anyone who's able to do a little bit of climbing, hiking, and squeezing. Best $25 I've EVER spent.

Reviewed by Patrick B McGinnis

Enjoyed our tour, but it is a lot of walking if you are disabled.

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Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center

Ohiopyle White Water Rafting, Hiking & Camping

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Welcome to Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center

It all began in 1962 and more than 50 years and over a million river miles paddled, we are still doing it because being on the river is unlike any other outdoor experience. Laurel Highlands River Tours & Outdoor Center offers you the chance to experience all the splendor of the largest park in Pennsylvania, Ohiopyle State Park, with our many water and land activities.

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We’ve got a great deal for you on whitewater rafting. Just fill a raft with 5 friends or family members, and YOU raft for FREE. This offer applies to all guided tours on the Lower Yough and Middle Yough, Sunday-Friday. Can’t fill a raft? A group of 4 or less can save 10%. Book by June 30, but schedule your tour for anytime. Some restrictions apply. Book online today using  promo code BLSO .

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What will you discover?

Down below, your imagination will soar..

Visit Geology’s Hall of Fame. Take a tour along lighted paved walkways that lead you through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high, towering stone formations, and natural wonders at every turn.

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Includes the Luray Caverns Self-Guided Tour, the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Village, and Toy Town Junction

Discover the rich history of the Shenandoah Valley.

Car & Carriage Caravan Museum

Take a spin through time with over 75 historic vehicles on display.

Visit a collection of trains and toys from yesteryear.

Guided Discovery Tours

A special guided tour of the Caverns with a historic twist! Learn all about the history behind the discovery of Luray Caverns through the lens of an 1870s tour guide.

$65 for adults (13 and up) | $35 for children (Free for children 5 and under)

Additional Attractions

Tickets for the The Garden Maze and Rope Adventure Park are additional fee attractions separate from the Luray Caverns general admission ticket.

The Garden Maze

The largest Evergreen hedge maze in the Mid-Atlantic. A fun half-mile mystery mission awaits!

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Take your Luray adventure to new heights! Two thrilling courses of high-flying fun.

Hands-on geology at its finest. Roll up your sleeves and learn!

Luray Caverns is open every day of the year.

101 Cave Hill Road Luray, VA 22835

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Groups are requested 14 days in advance and can include food packages with access to the Gem Sluice, Garden Maze and Rope Adventure Park.

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