Exploring Laurel Caverns: Pennsylvania’s Largest Cave
Laurel Caverns is in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, bout an hour and a half from Pittsburgh. Expect a breathtaking natural wonder that offers an unforgettable subterranean adventure with an exhilarating blend of caving, history, and scenery.
Laurel Caverns is Pennsylvania’s largest cave and one of the busiest. It is visited by tens of thousands of people each year. It has over three miles of underground passages that wind through ancient limestone and sandstone formations. Unlike many caves that remain at a constant temperature, Laurel Caverns is unique in that it experiences seasonal variations, though it generally stays cool. Its average temperature is 52 °F.
While a show cave destination today, it was first explored in 1816 and remained a wild cave into the 1950s.
A Tour Options for Every Spelunker
Today, whether new to cave exploration or an experienced spelunker, Laurel Caverns offers tours suited to different comfort levels.
A family-friendly tour takes you along well-lit paths, showcasing stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and impressive rock formations. Guides provide insights into the cave’s history, geology, and unique ecosystem.
For those seeking more adventure. Other tours are offered that are more challenging and go deeper in the caverns. Some venture beyond the main pathways and involve scrambling and crawling, making it perfect for thrill-seekers looking for an adrenaline rush.
Visiting Laurel Caverns
I visited Laurel Caverns on a Saturday afternoon after a good PA thunderstorm.
Pulling in, the parking lot was nearly full with Mennonite church buses and other visitors like me. As I walked up to get a ticket, the line stretched out of the Visitor Center and into the parking lot.
After waiting about a half hour in line, I finally got a ticket, and I had a little time to enjoy the view of the mountains before starting the guided cave tour.
The cave tour starts in the building! The natural entrance is no longer used. It fell into disrepair when the new entrance was built to accommodate visitors to the area. I took a shorter tour that. We were underground for about an hour.
The formations were quite nice. There are colored lights to highlight the different rock features. Towards the end, the guide turns off the lights, so everyone is in complete darkness, which is pretty wild if you have never experienced it. “Cave dark” and quiet is something very different that you kind of have to experience to appreciate.
Next was a special light show to the orchestra song “Appalachian Spring.” This was probably my favorite part of the whole tour.
Most of the tour was guided, with a short and steep out-and-back section left optional at the end. The guide does not lead you down; it’s more of a choose-your-own-adventure experience.
Planning Your Visit
Laurel Caverns is generally open from later April through early November, with hours and availability varying depending on the season. They close in the winter to protect hibernating bats.
Since the cave maintains a cool temperature, visitors should wear a light jacket and sturdy shoes, especially for the more adventurous tours.
Plan on spending at least two hours there, if not longer. It can get hectic.
The caverns are just a short drive from major attractions like Ohiopyle State Park, Fallingwater, and Fort Necessity National Battlefield, making them an excellent addition to any Laurel Highlands getaway.
