An underrated experience of the Shenandoah Valley is the one underground. Come along, we’ll show you.
Virginia’s caverns are predominantly found in the Shenandoah Valley. Six of eight, in fact. They’re mysterious to untrained eyes, artistry to those with an affinity for movement and color, and plain cool – literally. Going down under means encountering a constant 54 to 56 degrees, which is great on a scorching hot day and rather pleasant on a frigid day. That makes caverns a resounding success in all four seasons.
From north to south in the Shenandoah Valley, these are our caverns.
Skyline Caverns | Front Royal
Skyline Caverns is found at the northern entrance of Shenandoah National Park in Front Royal. For families in and around Washington, D.C., Skyline is the closest cavern experience.
Discovered: 1937 by Walter S. Amos, geologist
Opened: 1939
Notable Features: Rare anthodite formations like Chandelier – the largest and oldest known anthodite; Grotto of Nativity; 37-foot Rainbow Waterfall
Additional Attractions: Skyline Arrow Miniature Train, Mirror Maze, Nature Trail
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
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Shenandoah Caverns | Quicksburg
Visitors with mobility considerations are easily accommodated at Shenandoah Caverns. It is the only cave system with an elevator, and has been since 1931.
Discovered: 1884 by sons of Abraham Neff, a Shenandoah Valley farmer
Opened: 1922
Notable Features: Bacon formations, calcite Diamon Cascade, Rainbow Lake Reflecting Pool
Additional Attractions: American Celebration on Parade, Main Street of Yesteryear, Gemstone Mining Sluice, and Caverns Cafe
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
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Luray Caverns | Luray
Virginia’s most popular and the East Coast’s largest caverns is Luray Caverns, home to the world’s only Stalacpipe Organ. Coincidentally, it is also the world’s largest musical instrument, encompassing more than three acres.
Discovered: 1878 by Andrew Campbell, Billy Campbell, and Benton Stebbins
Opened: 1878 at 50 cents per head
Notable Features: 47-foot double column in Giant’s Hall, Dream Lake
Additional Attractions: The Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Village, Toy Town
Junction, The Garden Maze, and Rope Adventure Park
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends (November 1 – March 31)
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Endless Caverns | New Market
Endless Caverns is so named because it’s a six-mile adventure with yet unexplored areas. Don’t worry, your tour doesn’t cover all six miles. That would be crazy! Instead, spend 75 minutes with a thorough history tour of about one mile.
Discovered: 1879 by two boys and a dog
Opened: immediately by owner Ruben Zirkle, but with electricity in 1920
Notable Features: The Lodge Room (a “recent” discovery [1991]), fossilized wooly mammoth tooth,
Additional Attractions: Endless Caverns RV Resort with cottages
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
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Grand Caverns | Grottoes
If you’re looking for the oldest continually operating show cave in the country, you’ll find it right here in the Shenandoah Valley. Grand Caverns has been open to wide-eyed curiosity since 1806. Its sister cave, Fountain Cave, is an authentic spelunking adventure and less of a showcase. Perhaps do both to enjoy the beauty.
Discovered: 1804 by Bernard Weyer
Opened: 1806
Notable Features: Rare shield formations
Additional Attractions: Mini-Golf and Picnic Pavilions
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (November 1 – May 31)
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Caverns at Natural Bridge | Natural Bridge
Down, down, down you go! The Caverns at Natural Bridge are the deepest on the East Coast at 34 stories. That’s quite a ways, but no, it’s not the center of the Earth.
Discovered: 1889 by Jake Fitzgerald
Opened: 1977
Notable Features: Home to two place-named species: Natural Bridge Cave Beetle (Pseudanophthalmus pontis) and Natural Bridge Isopod (Caecidotea bowmani)
Additional Attractions: Natural Bridge Trail and adjacent Natural Bridge State Park
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; weekends only December through February
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Header Image: Caverns at Natural Bridge. Photo by Chad Williams and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.