CAVES

ALERT: Due to Covid-19 regulations, visitors are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Think all caves are alike? After all, a hole in the ground is a hole in the ground? No way! Hart County’s three “ show caves” are just like our children — they’re not at all alike, but they’re each special in their own way! Caves have close relationships with water. Sometimes water drips down through the ground to form beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. You’ll find loads of those at Mammoth Onyx Cave. And sometimes rivers bore through forming passageways. You’ll find that at Hidden River Cave. The rushing river there was once harnessed to generate electricity to the tiny town above, Horse Cave.

It’s great to know the caves are open year-round, and the temperature stays the same – about 58 degrees. If you are looking for a beautiful multi-season adventure, caving fits that bill. All of the caves have tours with professional guides who share the geology of the system, the history of the area, and the biology of the cave’s wildlife — bats, crickets, blind fish and such. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more adventurous, Hidden River Cave also offers a guided off-trail Wild Cave Tour along the banks of the subterranean river. Or try their new zipline across the largest cave entrance in the area, and rappel down to the cave entrance!