Calling all aspiring spelunkers! Time to grab your head lamps and head to Southwestern Missouri for a unique experience and opportunity.
Just north of Springfield, Missouri lies Crystal Cave. Like many of these natural wonders, these caves have been developed for thousands of years. Situated on property owned by the Mann family, Crystal Cave became one of the oldest caves to be a tourist destination in Missouri, dating all the way back to 1893. A fun family outing for many years, and after generations of ownership including both family and trusted friends, as well as varying levels of commitment to upkeep, Crystal Cave was recently purchased and rehabilitated to once again become a place to experience.
While at Crystal Cave, take one of the hourly guided tours of the inside of the cave. Pass through some of the locally repurposed fencing and gates before entering the awe-inspiring first room. While inside, be sure to visit many marvels such as the Upside-Down Well, the Cathedral Chamber, and one of the most exciting, Jacob's Room. See a number of Helictite features within these caves, which are similar in location to stalactites, but come in a formation similar to a corkscrew, believed to be a result of the soil above. Although the cave is not easily accessible to those with limited mobility, features have been added by the present ownership to make the chambers easy to traverse for even the largest sized of guests.
If some of those in your party are claustrophobic, or you're waiting for your tour of the cave to begin, never fear, because the Crystal Cave property has plenty more to go around. Take a ride on a small train through the grounds, learning about the area. Step inside the gift shop and play a nine-hole round of mini-golf. Experience some of the nostalgic game machines found in the penny arcade. Perhaps pan for some gems and fossils as you sift through the dirt to find these treasures. Or just view and read about the history of Crystal Cave and the surrounding area. Plenty of choices await you when you visit.
So the next time your internal compass takes you underground, follow it into Crystal Cave. Nature will be your teacher as you re-charge yourself through exploration.
Copyright 2021-24 Freedom Rolling.
Logo Image Courtesy Clipartmax.com
United States Image Courtesy Simple Maps