Disclaimer: Our visit was hosted, however, all opinions expressed in this article are completely ours and based on our own family’s unique experience.
The Visit Neighboring States Series
North of Arcadia Valley, just off I44 is an amazing underground cavern at Onondaga Cave State Park – Southeast Mo.
Tour this fantastic “living” wet cave that is always growing and changing, located 90 minutes from the town of Ironton.
This cave is easy to find if you don’t drive through Mark Twain National Forest. Skip the confusing, gravel backroads and travel north on HWY 21.
Stop and browse the quaint shops in Caledonia or find a neat geocache at the Post Office.
Order Tickets & Prepare
Cave tours are scheduled April – October. Check the website before making plans. Afternoon tours are slower with fewer large groups.
Tours are reasonably priced for the 75 minute excursion. Our guide, a local woman who even owns a cave, was knowledgeable and fun.
57 degrees is the year round temperature in the cave. Hubby and the kids were fine in shorts and a jacket, but I wore pants and a hat. While it was a little chilly, it was a humid chill and wasn’t uncomfortable.
The walkways are slippery and wet, so wear sturdy shoes.
The tour is not exhausting and should be easily managed by all ages. A stroller will be challenging to maneuver on the slippery slopes, so consider a carrier.
Before the Cave Tour
Enjoy a leisurely ten minute stroll down the paved trail, just left of the visitor center, to the natural spring and original cave entrance. The amount of water flowing out of the springs is hard to comprehend. It’s a serene area and worth the time to visit.
Back inside the visitor center, your family can learn more through the information displays. There are glass cases with example rock formations and other artifacts for viewing.
An educational room designed just for kids to touch and feel is very enticing! Curious children will be kept busy in this room for a long time.
Consider signing your children up for the Missouri Explorer Program. Participants can earn a patch for completing activities including the guided cave tour.
The Tour
The cave is entered through a special room in the visitor center. This room protects the cave from drying out. Before the start of the tour, visitors will watch a short video that enhances the cave experience.
The guide will move the group slowly through the cave pointing out special features and sharing information.
The tour atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Feel free to ask questions as you go and encourage the kids to share what interests them.
Describing the depth and vastness of the cave is a challenge. Pictures do not fully express it’s shear size.
Visitors experience several different large rooms, each with their own unique features.
A favorite by all is the Lily Pad room. Water levels vary in this room based on rainfall. During our visit the water was higher because of the weather.
Each room or area of the cave is different and worth exploring. After visiting both Niagara Cave & Onondaga Cave, we have a better understanding of how caves vary. I look forward to attending another cave tour to further our understanding of what lies below us.
It’s amazing to think about all the caves here in the United States. I am really glad we have the opportunity to visit caves like Onondaga.
Missouri has AMAZING state parks that you won’t want to miss! Check out Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.
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