Ultimate Guide to Hendrie River Water Cave, Michigan (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

Michigan

Ultimate Guide to Hendrie River Water Cave, Michigan (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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Hendrie River Water Cave in Michigan is the longest at 1500 ft and has high, narrow passages with a stream running across the floor. The cave ends in a room where there is a beautiful waterfall and the stream sumps in a circular passage known as Goop Loop. Almost a mile away from this place, the stream resurfaces in the spring. The lower passages of this cave are prone to floods after a spell of heavy rains.

Hendrie River Water Cave, Michigan Cover Image

Not many people visit this cave every year, but there is no denying that it is a fascinating cave. You will get the feeling of being an early explorer when you come here, and you will find everything in pristine condition as it is a relatively young cave. It is the largest mapped cave in Michigan, and none of the other caves in the state come anywhere near its length.

History of Hendrie River Water Cave

It is the longest-recorded cave in Michigan. The limestone cavern was formed when the acidic water from the swamps seeped into the limestone cracks. The cracks got dissolved, and they widened to form this beautiful cave system. The cave, in general, has a good height, and there are narrow passages with a stream running along the floor.

Carved in the last 10,000 years, the cave has been relatively young since the melting of the last glaciers in the area. The cave was discovered in 1901 by Chase S. Osborn, the Governor of Michigan between 1911 and 1912.

Geological Formations in Hendrie River Water Cave

This is a perfect example of a karst cave with decent geological formations. At the chest level, blackened amorphous masses jutted out from the wall, deposited by the ancient currents.

Wildlife in the Area

Hendrie River Water Cruise little brown bat

Various studies at the cave have revealed that common species like leeches, snails, and beetles are usually found here. One would also find a decent bat population that mainly comprises the Northern Long-eared Bat and the Little Brown Bat.

Is the Hendrie Cave Haunted?

This cave is not haunted, and it receives a large number of tourists every year.

How Big is Hendrie River Water Cave?

The length of this cave is 1500 ft.

Hendrie River Water Cave Tours

The entrance to the cave is in the form of a wide crack in the stone. The entry point is big enough for a man to enter the cave without having to crouch.

However, in some places, the passage is painfully narrow, and there is every chance that the helmets would bump into the walls and ceilings of the cave. The north passage is the longest and most challenging as it is long, narrow, wet, and winding.

One should have a permit to enter the cave, and the Michigan Karst Conservancy issues these permits. You need to mail them before your visit to get timely approval. These rules are in place to ensure your safety inside the cave and enable them to conserve the cave properly.

The passage gets smaller and smaller here and becomes a bit noisy. The cave ends in a room where you can view a gorgeous waterfall of about 6 ft, and the stream comes out in a circular passage known as Goop Loop.

The most favorite place in the cave for any visitor would be the ceiling. The condensation from the stream forms tiny droplets on the ceiling, and when you flash a beam of light on them, it light up like sparkling diamonds!

Hendrie River Water Cave Tour Prices and Discounts

No paid tours are conducted at this cave.

Is Hendrie River Water Cave Cold?

The temperature inside is lower than in the surrounding areas, which is a common scenario in all caves worldwide. You may carry a light sweater in case the temperature drops sharply.

What to Wear?

You should wear long-sleeved shirts, appropriate bottom wear, knee pads, high rubber boots, gloves, a chin-strapped helmet, and flashlights.

Hendrie River Water Cave Hours

You can visit the cave anytime between dawn and dusk.

What to Do at Hendrie River Water Cave (Beside Tours)

There is not much to do here except explore the cave itself with the help of a guide. However, four other caves in the vicinity are small, wet, and not suitable for those who are new to spelunking. One of these caves, Quarry Cave, is the remnant of a larger cave that quarry operations have destroyed.

Best Time to Visit Hendrie River Water Cave

You can visit the cave any time of the year, and we recommend that you come here during daylight hours for your safety.

How to Get to Hendrie River Water Cave

The entrance to the cave is at the eastern end of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, but it is not easy to find. It is on a remote paved highway a few miles west of Trout Lake. One needs to go down a dirt road, then an unmarked path, and finally through the woods into a gorge.

Hotels near Hendrie River Water Cave

There are a few decent accommodations near the cave site, such as The Hulbert House Bed & Breakfast and Handshake Motel.

Visiting Hendrie River Water Cave

Do you need more information before visiting? You can send an email to Michigan Karst Conservancy for an information packet.

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