Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the annual camp for the Young Women from our church (the girls age 11-18). And, while the rain was relentless and resulted in more than a few flooded tents, we really did have a fantastic time at camp. One of the highlights for me (and for many of the girls) was our little field trip to Onondaga Cave. This incredible cavern is “one of America’s most spectacular” and it draws visitors from all over the world each year. After our visit, I could see exactly why. While similar in a lot of ways to Fantastic Caverns, Onondaga Cave (in my humble opinion) comes out on top as the coolest cave!
Onondaga Cave in Leasurg, Missouri
The original plan was for some of the girls to go to the cave, while others would participate in a float trip down the Current River. Then, after the torrential downpours we experienced (and the Young Men groups who had been floating the Current River and camping on its banks literally having to evacuate), we knew the float trip wasn’t possible. Thankfully, the staff at Onondaga State Park were able to accommodate about DOUBLE the people they had originally planned, they just took us in two separate groups. And, honestly, I was grateful for the change in plans because this cave was SOMETHING ELSE!
Onondaga Cave was discovered in 1886 and was even featured in the 1904 World Fair. One of the crowning jewels of the cave is the incredible deposit known simply as “the Queen” (pictured below). Interestingly enough, some folks had planned to remove the Queen completely in order to display her for the World Fair. Thankfully, they never went through with their plans, so she still sits in the cave to this day for all to enjoy. (It’s worth noting that exactly HOW they had hoped to remove the Queen is a mystery to me – as well as to our tour guide.)
In addition to the Queen, there are other incredible structures that have gained fame like the Twins, the Lilypad Room, and the King’s Canopy – where people used to hold wedding ceremonies in the 70’s. Each of these unique and amazing deposits are pointed out when you take a tour of the cave.
In 1982, Onondaga Cave was incorporated into the Missouri State Parks with the establishment of Onondaga Cave State Park. Since then, it has been a major tourist attraction in the area, with people coming to appreciate and stand in awe of the naturally occurring formations.
The staff at Onondaga Cave are knowledgeable and do an amazing job with giving a thorough account of how the cave was discovered, as well as a pretty comprehensive history of events from its discovery until today. The girls found it interesting and it kept their attention throughout the whole tour.
My ONLY reservation when it comes to visiting Onondaga Cave would be for those visiting with young children. While teenagers and adults with no physical impairments would fare just fine, I found myself grateful during our visit to not have my younger children with me. The paved paths are textured enough to give your feet some grip and there are metal railings the entire way, but a small child will likely struggle (and I wouldn’t dare try to carry a child in my arms while ascending some of those slopes). Still, you know your children and their individual abilities, so act as you see fit.
Onondaga Cave is a MUST visit if you’re living in or passing through the area. I loved our time spent at Fantastic Caverns, but honestly I loved Onondaga Cave more (and it’s cheaper!). Don’t miss this incredible place!
’til next time…
Ash
Things to Know About Visiting Onondaga Cave
Planning Ahead: The temperature in the cave is a cool 57 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the cave is quite wet. I was comfortable in shorts and a T-shirt, but if you tend to run cold, bring a jacket or sweater.
Pets: Plan to leave your pets at home for this one. No animals are allowed on the cave tours, although there are a limited number of pet crates available to rent for $5.
Phobia Warning: While Onondaga Cave is more open throughout than Fantastic Caverns, I would still like to issue the same phobia warning as I did with that. If you are prone to claustrophobia or struggle with darkness, I would sit this adventure out. The route through the cave is also quite steep at times, so if you struggle with walking up or downhill, then this tour will be a challenge for you.
Directions & Parking: Onondaga Cave State Park is located at 7556 Missouri H in Leasburg, Missouri. You can simply type Onondaga Cave State Park in Google Maps and it will bring you to a large parking lot outside the visitor center for the cave.
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online using the Onondaga Cave State Park Reservation System or in person upon arrival. In person tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and there is no guarantee of availability.
Cost:
Military – $12.00
Adults (ages 18-64) – $15.00
Teens (ages 13-17) – $13.00
Children (ages 6-12) – $10.00
Children (under age 6) – FREE
*Prices subject to change. They are accurate at the time of this posting. For group discounts and pricing information, visit the Onondaga Cave State Park Website.
Hours:
Daily tours are available April 1 – October 31. Tours start at 10:00am and the last tour leaves at 3:30pm.
Amenities: There are bathrooms located inside the visitor center. As the tour takes anywhere from 60-90 minutes, it is recommended that you use the bathroom prior to beginning the tour. Once you are in the cave, there is no way to leave to use the bathroom mid-tour. In addition to bathrooms, there is also a small gift shop in the visitor center.
Accessibility: I would not consider the cave wheelchair friendly and I do not believe strollers are allowed. The ground is quite steep at times and pushing anything through that would be challenging. If you or a member of your party requires a wheelchair or mobility help, I recommend calling the park at 573-245-6576 to check out your options.
