Fantastic Caverns: Springfield MO

Fantastic Caverns is America's only ride through cave and is located in Springfield, Missouri. First discovered in 1862, by a farmer and his dog, it took five years to find a group willing to take the challenge of being the first to explore this unknown area.  After answering an ad in the paper 12 women, yes women, from Springfield entered the cave in 1867 to find complete darkness, with only candles and a rope leading the path back out they set out to explore what no one else would.  To this day you will find these brave ladies name's on wall just as you exit.

Before entering you learn how they were able to power the cavern before electricity.  Don't be surprised if you get caught a little off guard with this stop.  From here it is time to enter the cavern and the second the door opens you will love being cooled (or warmed if it is winter) to the 60 degree year round temperature.

On the tour you will learn a lot about the formation of the cave and how it has taken thousand of years to become what it is today.  You will also learn that just 30 feet below another cavern is forming.  You will hear about the entertainment that once was held inside the cave as well as a speakeasy that had to be closed because of a shooting in the 1950's

The Cavern is home to several animals, the Ozark Cave Fish, Salamanders, and Crayfish.  The Crayfish has an interesting story, because of the extreme darkness in the cave they have evolved to their environment and are colorless and blind.

What sets Fantastic Caverns apart from all others is that you are able to ride through being pulled by a jeep.  Each tram has access for wheelchairs making this the only accessible cavern in our area if not the country.

A trip to Fantastic Caverns is not only educational but also an experience you and your family will not forget for years to come.  As the tour guide said we owe it to our children to get them out into nature and this is one easy way to get them to put down their video game and get outside.

Fantastic Caverns is open daily (except major holidays) and tours begin at 8am and leave every 20 to 30 minutes.  You will want to set aside two hours for this tour.  At the end of the tour you will be given the chance to purchase a group photo to remember your tour, at only $10 this is a great keepsake.

Thank you to the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting out visit.  Opinions are honest.  Personal photos used in this post belong to My Springfield Mommy and may not be used without written permission from My Springfield Mommy.

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