NEED A COOL DOWN? CHECK OUT THESE CAVES AND CAVERNS NEAR DELAWARE

This summer has brought sweltering temperatures that have left people nostalgic for the months of days under 70 degrees. Luckily, if you’re looking for a cooler summer getaway, there are some natural wonders that remain in the mid-50s all year-round.

When you’re planning your next day trip, check out some natural getaways in these caves and caverns in and around Delaware.

A warning: The caves and caverns listed below are not considered wheelchair-accessible due to their steep slopes and narrow passageways.

Here are some (literally) underground tourist attractions to check out for your next road trip.

Beaver Valley Rock Shelter Site

810 Beaver Valley Road, Brandywine Hundred

If you’re looking for a spelunking adventure, you don't have to drive across state lines.

Located at Delaware’s border off Beaver Dam Road, in true Delaware fashion, this cave is relatively small – just 56 feet long. In the non-winter months, the surrounding greenery can make it hard to spot. But there is a small trail at Beaver Dam Road and Beaver Valley Road where visitors can walk up, turn right after the house and navigate through the woodsy terrain to the cave’s opening.  

Beaver Valley Cave, other than being the inspiration for the cave featured in the “Dead Poets Society” movie, is Delaware’s only known cave that the public can explore. It is believed that Native American inhabitants in the state used Beaver Valley Cave as shelter and storage places.

Lost River Caverns

726 Durham St., Hellertown, Pennsylvania, www.lostcave.com

Located an easy 1½-hour drive from Wilmington, Lost River Caverns is not only a neat geological wonder, but also a perfect trip for the whole family to enjoy.

The cavern itself is relatively small, but also includes a nature trail and picnic area on the site’s grounds. Lost River Caverns got its name from the river that runs through the cavern, coming from an unknown origin and disappearing beneath the cavern’s surface.

Guided walking tours of the limestone cavern are around 45 minutes long and teach visitors about the geology and history of the area.

There are five chambers of the cavern to check out with rock and crystal formations that have forged themselves over millions of years. For the recreational geologists, there is also a gift shop where you can make your own mineral or crystal souvenir to take home.

Reservations are required for visiting Lost River Caverns. Adults can book a reservation for $16; children ages 3-12 can enter for $11.

The cavern tours run daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. until Labor Day. Hours change slightly in the winter months, operating from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on weekends.

Crystal Cave

963 Crystal Cave Road, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, www.cryystalcavepa.com

Located about an hour and 45 minutes from Wilmington, guides at Crystal Caves take guests down a 125-foot descent underground to a historic crystal cave. The tour takes about an hour and showcases all of the rock formations and natural sculptures the cave has created over time. The cave is 54 degrees Fahrenheit year-round (you might want to take a sweater).

After the tour ends, the exploring is far from over. Guests can try their luck at gemstone panning with a purchased bag of dirt from the cave – the perfect activity for amateur or recreational geologists. Guests also can walk along the scenic hiking trail in the nearby woods, with over 300,000 evergreen trees that have been planted over the years.

An ice cream parlor and mini golf course are open seasonally to occupy visitors.

People over the age of 12 can tour Crystal Cave for $20, while ages 4 to 11 can enter for $15. Mini golf and gemstone panning cost an additional $6 and $8, respectively.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the cave is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays, and closes at 7 p.m. on weekends. After Labor Day through September, the caves are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends. Between October and April, hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and the landmark is closed December through February.

Crystal Grottoes Caverns

19821 Shepherdstown Pike, Boonsboro, Maryland, www.crystalgrottoescaverns.com

Crystal Grottoes Caverns is Maryland’s only cave open to the public, sitting just under a two-hour drive from Wilmington.

The caverns were discovered accidentally in 1920 when the State Roads Commission was quarrying for limestone to build Maryland’s Route 34. The cavern was opened to the public two years later and has been in business ever since.

The cavern has remained in the same natural form since its discovery and claims to have the most formations per square foot than any other cave in the world. Experts will guide visitors through the perpetually 54-degree caverns and showcase the geology and history behind the site.

Tours are given every half-hour between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Standard admission for adults runs at $23, and kids between the ages of 5 and 12 get in for $13.

Echo Dell, Indian Echo Caverns

368 Middletown Road, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, www.indianechocaverns.com   

Indian Echo Caverns is a limestone cave estimated to be over 440 million years old. Tours of the caverns last around 45 minutes, and a qualified guide will teach guests the history and geology of the caverns and areas.

Echo Dell, a two-hour drive from Wilmington, also just happens to be minutes away from one of the region’s most beloved amusement parks, Hershey Park.

Indian Echo Caverns also hosts a gem mill junction where guests can search for gemstones like amethyst, jasper, calcite and even fossils from the caves. These minerals and crystals can be formed into customizable jewelry on the site. Families also can enjoy the picnic areas, playground and petting zoo on Echo Dell’s grounds.

Strollers are not allowed inside the caverns, and closed-toed shoes are recommended. The caverns are 52 degrees year-round, so it also is recommended to take a light cover to stay warm.

Admission for anyone 12 and older is $24.50, and those 65 and older can be admitted for $22. Echo Dell is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. until Labor Day, and between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

222 Penn’s Cave Road, Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, www.pennscave.com

If you’re willing to make a slightly longer drive for a true national landmark, then Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park is the destination to hit.

Located around a 3½-hour drive from Wilmington, Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park is America’s only all-water cavern. The surrounding area is a farm-nature-wildlife park that stretches 1,600 acres.

Tours of the cavern are just under an hour and are given entirely by boat. After climbing 48 steps to the dock entrance, the boat will guide guests through the caves and its naturally formed sculptures, some of which resemble figures like the Statue of Liberty. The cavern is naturally cooled at 52 degrees year-round.

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The wildlife tour is another 90-minute bus excursion that takes guests through the preserved land where bison, longhorn cattle, black bears, mountain lions, wolves, wild horses, a butterfly garden and more are on display.

Hours vary by season at Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park, and the experiences can be bundled for $40 for adults.  

Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety. 

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Need a cool down? Check out these caves and caverns near Delaware

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