Located near Stanton, Missouri, Meramec Caverns is a 4.6-mile-long cavern system offering guided cave tours, family-friendly outdoor activities, and lodging and campground options. Meramec Caverns are a 4.6-mile-long cavern system located within the Ozark Mountains near the city of Stanton, Missouri.
History
The caverns were formed more than 400 million years ago from the erosion of limestone deposits within the Meramec Valley. Though the caverns had been used for centuries by indigenous Americans as a place of shelter, they were first discovered by European settlers in 1720, when a crew led by French explorer Philipp Renault found the caves after shoring off the Meramec River. Renault named the cave system Saltpeter Cave for its abundance of saltpeter deposits, and throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the cave was a disputed territory due to the mining of its resources. According to local legend, the cave was used by famed outlaw Jesse James as a hideout throughout the 1870s, though there is not historical evidence to support this claim.
During the 1890s, the cave was used as a location for summertime cave parties to allow local residents to avoid the region’s summer heat, which earned a portion of the cave the nickname “The Ballroom” due to its large open space used as a dance floor. In 1898, the cave was purchased by Charles Ruepple, who formed a dance committee that met within the cave’s ballroom. In 1933, Lester Benton Dill purchased the cave from Ruepple for the purposes of creating a family-friendly attraction offering guided cave tours. That same year, Dill discovered an additional wing of the cave, which was nicknamed the “Stage Curtain” and “Theatre Room.” Additional room discoveries in 1941 and 1947 led to the current formation of the cave’s public structure. Throughout the late 20th century, the cave was featured in several feature films, including 1972’s Tom Sawyer and 1998’s Deep Impact.
Attractions
Today, Meramec Caverns is operated as a family attraction, offering educational guided cavern tours for visitors of all ages. All tours are led by trained rangers and take visitors along lighted walkways, offering information and anecdotes about the cave’s formation, history, and major structures. Notable areas within the cave include the fifth-level Wine Room, which is home to a rare onyx aragonite formation known as the Wine Table for its unique natural three-legged support. The room takes its name from its grape-like botryoid clusters and is considered one of the rarest cave formations in the world. A large sheet wall of formations is known as the Stage Curtain, which is located adjacent to the cave’s Theatre Room. Other notable rooms include the historic Ballroom, used for public parties and dances in the late 19th century, the reflective Mirror Room, which creates an optical illusion of a water depth of up to 50 feet, and a Hollywood Room, noted as the filming site for several films and television shows.
In addition to cavern tours, a variety of family-friendly outdoor activities are offered at Meramec Caverns, including a Zip Line Adventure, added to the attraction in 2018, that offers an hour-long course traversing the Meramec River region. Half-hour Riverboat Rides are offered aboard the Cavern Queen I and II, transporting 25 passengers for excursions available between April and September. Six or 11-mile Canoe Floats are also available, along with weather-permitting raft and kayak rentals. For young visitors, the Meramec Mining Company gold-panning attraction is available, allowing children to pan for pyrite rocks, fossils, and gemstones. A Mine Store also allows visitors to purchase gemstone jewelry and rock-related gifts.
Southern fare is served at the attraction’s home-style restaurant, which seats up to 250 and offers private rentals in a group dining room. Catering options are available for private special events, including outdoor barbecue and picnic catering options and box lunches for tour groups. Homemade fudge is served at Granny’s Candy Store, along with 28 varieties of homemade ice cream. Several lodging options are offered at the attraction, including the Meramec Caverns Motel, which is open between April and October and is located within nearby LaJolla Natural Park.Meramec Caverns Campground also offers trailer hookups, barbecue pits, showers, and restrooms for campers and RVs. A concession stand, sheltered pavilions, and a playground are available for use by all campground visitors.
Ongoing Programs and Education
Meramec Caverns offers a variety of educational programming for K-12 students, including curriculum-incorporated field trip opportunities for elementary and secondary school groups. All school tours last approximately 80 minutes and include a showing of an introductory speology documentary and a free miniature workshop on topics related to natural sciences and geology. Scouting programs are also offered for scouting troops of all ages and ranks, with activities tailored to meet requirements for geology-related badge completion.
1135 Highway W, Sullivan, MO 63080, Phone: 573-468-CAVE
