One Of Indiana's Largest Historic Caves Offers Underground Tours For Adventurous Travelers

Located in the Midwest, the U.S. state of Indiana might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you imagine venturing deep below the earth's surface. The Hoosier State is sometimes overlooked by adventurous travelers, even though it's home to waterfalls, an underrated lakeside national park with great beaches, and thousands of caves. It's a state where any outdoor lover will thrive, and if you're interested in underground exploration, a visit to Wyandotte Cave should be at the top of your summer bucket list.

Caves are some of nature's most fascinating wonders. For thousands of years they have mystified human beings. Throughout history, caves provided sanctuary from the elements for people and animals, and some of the earliest archeological evidence we have discovered comes in the form of paintings and carvings on the walls of caves around the world. Our early ancestors often used caves as dwellings, but today we are still drawn to them for the sake of exploration. Indiana's Wyandotte Cave has been attracting people since ancient times, and today it's open for tourists to tour during the summer months.

On a visit to Wyandotte Cave you can learn about the cave's ancient history, explore the damp and dark environment, and venture deep below the surface of the earth with an expert guide.

Wyandotte Cave is located in Southern Indiana and nestled within Harrison-Crawford State Forest. The expansive forest was established in 1932 and covers more than 24,000 acres near the Ohio River. It's full of thick forests and is a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers, but Wyandotte Cave is its most intriguing attraction.

The ancient caves are carved from limestone. According to archeological evidence, the caves were used by prehistoric Indigenous people around 4,000 years ago. Experts have uncovered pieces of torches and other tools as well as petroglyphs throughout the caves. The caves are full of materials like flint, chert, and aragonite and there is evidence to suggest that Indigenous tribes were mining there and trading with other groups all over the region. In the late 1700s or early 1800s, European settlers happened upon Wyandotte Cave. The property was purchased by a family from New York in the late 1800s, and when the caves were discovered, people longed to explore them. The property owners began a profitable venture charging tourists for cave tours and tens of thousands of people would visit each year. 

Eventually, the cave system was sold to the state of Indiana in 1966. Visitors can still take guided tours and venture through the expansive rooms within the caves. Some of the rooms are as large as 400 feet across. Monument Mountain is a major highlight. It's 135 feet tall, and is thought to be one of the largest underground mountains in the world. "The cave is huge with several areas to explore and a variety of formations to see. The history is interesting and the staff was friendly," a visitor named Nicole C wrote in a Google review. 

The only way to explore Indiana's Wyandotte Cave is through attending an official cave tour. There are two different options available. For a short, easy experience, opt for the Little Wyandotte tour. It takes about 30 minutes and is open to visitors of all ages. If you're feeling more adventurous and looking for a rugged tour, choose the Big Wyandotte experience instead. It lasts around two hours and visitors have to be at least 6 years old to participate.

Both tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays only. The Little Wyandotte tour times are 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. The cost is $4 per person under the age of 12, and $8 per person 12 and older. Children under 5 can attend for free. The Big Wyandotte tour is offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It costs $9 per child under the age of 12, and $18 per person 12 and older. Cave tours are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day, so summer is definitely the best time to visit. It can get cold inside the cave even on hot summer days, so make sure to dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes.

According to an Indiana Department of Natural Resources staff member, you can sign up for the tour in person. The address is 7315 S. Wyandotte Cave Road in Leavenworth, Indiana, and there is a kiosk where visitors can pay the tour fee with cash or a credit card. If you'd like to stick around and explore the Harrison-Crawford State Forest, there are a few different campgrounds to choose from. For even more fun underground adventures in Indiana, check out Marengo Cave, which is about 25 minutes away by car.