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Cool caves to explore within driving distance of St.Cliff Cave Park | Oakville, Missouri | 30 minutes from downtown St.Louis This beautiful 525-acre public park is home to biking and hiking trails, fishing spots, shelters, and more.The cave’s history dates back to the 18th century, when the site was once home to a tavern operated by French fur trappers, the Cliff Cave Wine Company, and a saloon frequented by volunteer soldiers in the late 1800s.And while the cave is gated to help protect populations of Indiana bats living inside, you can schedule a tour with the Parks and Recreation Department and the historic park is worth a trip to traverse the exterior alone—and snap some cool shots of the entrance.Discover fun things to do with the family Subscribe to the St.Louis Family newsletter for family-friendly things to do and news for local parents, sent every Monday.Illinois Caverns State Natural Area | Monroe County, Illinois | 30 minutes This wild attraction doesn’t feature any tour guides or lighted pathways, which makes it one of the more precarious caving experiences in the region.The cave reopened in 2021, after a long closure to protect local bat populations.It’s the only commercial cave in Illinois open to the public.This largely underdeveloped limestone cave features a diverse range of geological features including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and soda straws.Only seasoned cave explorers are encouraged to tour Illinois Caverns—there are no guided tours, so bring a headlamp, boots, and a sense of adventure.Visits are free, though permits are required.Also, gear must be decontaminated to protect the cave’s wildlife.Meramec Caverns | Stanton, Missouri | 1 hour from downtown St.Louis Meramec Caverns is a classic for a reason.This beloved attraction stays a breezy 60 degrees year-round, making it a must-visit getaway during the hotter seasons.The cave system takes about 90 minutes to complete and features a glimpse at the rare Wine Table structure.With that said, there’s so much more to Meramec than underground adventures.Visitors can enjoy kid-friendly activities such as panning for “gold” and ziplining, a climbing wall, float trips, and more.Onondaga Cave | Crawford County, Missouri | 1.5 hours from downtown St.Louis Onondaga Cave is one of the most impressive cavern experiences in the state.Guided tours highlight geologic formations such as King’s Canopy and the Twins, as well as the river that runs through the cave—all features that help explain why the site is registered as a National Natural Landmark.Likewise, visitors can embark on a lantern tour of nearby Cathedral Cave, a nearly 3-mile-long cavern at Onondaga Cave State Park.Mark Twain Cave | Hannibal, Missouri | 2 hours from downtown St.Louis Literature lovers can tour the town and cave that inspired Mark Twain’s enduring classic The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.Known as Mark Twain Cave, this spot has hosted the likes of infamous outlaw Jesse James and the famous Missouri author, among others.(Guests can also attend “Mark Twain Live” to enjoy a one-man show full of wit and fun.) Nearby, sample wines in Cave Hollow Winery’s tasting room, and enjoy live music.Ozark Caverns | Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri | 2.5 hours from downtown St.Louis Ozark Caverns is best known for its ‘Angel Showers,’ a steady stream of water that drips from the cave’s ceiling.This unique feature creates stalagmites, helictites, and other geological marvels.The cave is also home to salamanders, bats, and 16 species of invertebrates.Visitors can take an hour-long tour of the cave, and they might be able to spot the blind grotto salamander.To prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome among bats, personal accessories such as bags, cameras, and strollers are not permitted inside.Sand Cave | Simpson, Illinois | 2.5 hours from downtown St.Louis Situated in scenic Shawnee National Forest, Sand Cave is the largest sandstone cave in North America, with a dramatic 30-foot-wide arched entrance set inside a towering bluff.It’s accessible via a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail.There’s no signage, so finding the cave feels like its own adventure.Beyond its impressive scale, Sand Cave was an important stop along the Underground Railroad in the 1840s.The cave offered shelter to freedom seekers on their journey north.Bridal Cave | Camdenton, Missouri | 2.75 hours from downtown St.Louis Often described as one of the most scenic caverns in the country, Bridal Cave’s beauty comes from its dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, massive columns, and soda straws reflected in the underground lake.The cave gets its name from a Native American legend of a wedding held there centuries ago.The tradition has continued over time, with more than 4,000 couples tying the knot there since 1949.Visitors can book a standard or lantern-lit tour, and they can arrive to the cave by water.There’s even a boat dock.Maquoketa Caves | Maquoketa, Iowa | 4.5 hours from downtown St.Louis A hidden gem in eastern Iowa, Maquoketa Caves State Park features 13 caves connected by scenic trails that wind through forested limestone bluffs.The caves range in shapes and sizes, with Dancehall Cave being the largest and most accessible.The cave is named for its past use as a dance hall.Visitors can walk through large tunnels or crawl through smaller spaces.The system also has several hidden grottoes.The park’s mix of caves makes it a great destination for casual hikers and avid cavers alike.