A couple weeks ago, we decided to take a day trip out to Springfield for the Easter egg hunt at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park (post coming soon!). Long story short, we didn’t end up spending as much time at the farm as we originally thought we would. And so, before making the 90-minute drive home, we decided to check something else off of our bucket list while we were already in the area: Fantastic Caverns.

Our Ride through Fantastic Caverns

This place has been on my bucket list since the FIRST time we lived in Missouri in 2018. Back then, I was super sick with my fourth pregnancy, so we didn’t get out much. And the thought of taking a bumpy trailer ride through a claustrophobic cave didn’t seem like my idea of a good time. These days I like to think I’m a LITTLE more adventurous (and also not super sick and pregnant), so it seemed like as good a time as any to finally pay it a visit. The price is a little steep. But we’d been working hard to save money throughout the month, so we decided the splurge was appropriate. (Little did we know that only three days later I’d be spending a couple grand to get Brandon’s car fixed so I wasn’t stranded in Florida… but that’s a story for another day. Suffice it to say: build up those savings accounts, folks!)

The story of how this cave was found was pretty cool, albeit a little bit random. It was discovered in 1862 by none other than a dog. John Knox (the owner of the property) was walking with his dog, when the dog suddenly entered a small crevice in the hillside. Going in after the dog, John Knox discovered the large cavern. He didn’t explore much, as his only source of light was by small flame, but he retrieved his dog and exited the cave. He actually kept the cave a secret for around FIVE YEARS, as the Civil War was in full swing and he feared the cave would be used and exploited for it. That’s the most basic history I’ll give here, but the tour guides at Fantastic Caverns do an amazing job giving all the details you could ever want. As a little bit of a history nerd myself (and as someone who has particular interest in the Civil War, among other things), I was in heaven!

In 1867, Knox put out a request for people to come explore the cave. His call was answered by none other than the Springfield Women’s Athletic Club. So a group of women entered and explored the cave (something that was pretty odd for the time), and they even made sure to leave their mark on the cave walls – something that can still be seen clearly today.

Overall we loved our time at Fantastic Caverns. We visited a few caves while in Korea, but anyone who has lived there knows that Korea affords a completely unique experience. (Remember Gwangmyeong Cave and the Jade Cave in Chungju?) And so this cave felt a little (or a LOT) more “cave-y” than the ones we experience back on the Peninsula. We had also never had the experience of RIDING through a cave, which was something our kids appreciated – especially after all the hikes we tend to drag them on with us. All that said, the cave is insanely cool, the tour guides are so knowledgeable, and this place is 1,000% worth a visit.

When you’re done with the cave tour, make sure to follow the path outside and embark on the very easy, fully paved .5 mile hike down to the river. You can see where the water exits the caverns and it’s honestly just a really beautiful area. Along the way, look for animals such as the red fox and deer, and stop for a game of horseshoes at the designated area. It’s clear that a lot of care goes into the area to keep it beautiful, and it did not go unnoticed by us!

If you find yourself out in Springfield, consider giving Fantastic Caverns a visit. I know many people have plans to visit Branson this summer, and Springfield is just a short drive away. Add this in to your summer fun and you won’t be disappointed!

’til next time…

Ash

Things to know about Fantastic Caverns

Planning Ahead: Dress appropriately for the weather for your ride through Fantastic Caverns. It boasts a beautiful 60 degrees year-round inside the caves, but keep in mind that for a short part of your journey, you will be outside. If you’re someone who gets cold easily, consider bringing a sweater to wear while in the caves.

Phobia Warning: If you’re someone who struggles from severe claustrophobia, I would recommend sitting this one out. While there are many areas of the cave that are VERY open, there are some places that require you to duck your head as the car moves through. The tour guides are amazing at guiding you through these areas, but it’s just something to bear in mind. In addition, you are taken deep enough into the cave that you cannot see any sunlight. The place is pretty well-lit, but there are moments during the tour when the lights are turned off and you can’t see your hand in front of your face. If you think that would prove too much for yourself or anyone else in your party, then pass on this experience.

Directions & Parking: Fantastic Caverns is located at 4872 North Farm Road 125 in Springfield. Simply typing “Fantastic Caverns” into Google Maps should get you there without a problem. There is a large parking lot and parking is free.

Cost:
Adults (ages 13+) – $34.00
Children (ages 6-12) – $17.00
Children (5 and under) – FREE with paying adult
*Prices subject to change. They are accurate at the time of this posting. For group discounts and pricing information, visit the Fantastic Caverns website.

*Hours:
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
LAST DEPARTURE ONE HOUR BEFORE CLOSING
Jan 1st – Feb 25th: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Feb 26th – Mar 4th: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Mar 5th – Apr 1st: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Apr 2nd – May 13th: 8:00am – 8:00pm
May 14th – Aug 11th: 8:00am – 9:00pm
Aug 12th – Sep 1st: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Sep 2nd – Oct 31st: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Nov 1st – Dec 31st: 8:00am – 5:00pm
*Hours are subject to change without notice. Please check the Fantastic Caverns website for more information on hours and specific closures.

Amenities: There are bathrooms located right inside the visitor center. There is also a large gift shop inside the visitor center just to the left of the ticket desk.

Accessibility: It was never stated whether or not the area is wheelchair accessible. If you have a need in this area, I recommend calling Fantastic Caverns at 417-833-2010.