Ultimate Guide to Indiana Caverns, Indiana (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
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Indiana has a wide range of cave systems, and Indiana Caverns is one of the most extended cave systems. A tour of the caverns will give you a fascinating experience as you come face-to-face with beautiful species of salamanders and cave-dwelling critters. If you are a budding geologist, you will find Indiana Caverns nothing short of paradise. If you are tired, you can rest on the leisurely boat ride on the underground river in the cavern.
Indiana Caverns, Indiana
Indiana Caverns is unique as the walking cave tour takes place irrespective of rain or shine. People prefer to tour the caves in the rain as it makes the cave look more beautiful. When you come to Indiana Caverns, you get a chance to explore the hidden underground cave ecosystem and learn more about rock formations and cave life.
History of Indiana Caverns
A national treasure lies below the rolling hills, cornfields, and the idyllic scenery of Southern Indiana. The Binkley Cave System, which has been thoroughly studied in the last fifty years, is awaiting more discoveries. No one had ever set foot in this underground wonder as it was closed before the end of the last Ice Age.
In the late 1920s, a sinkhole entrance to the Binkley Cave System was created, forming the modern-day Binkley Cave. In the 1930s and 40s, the amateur spelunkers began to explore short stretches of the cave, and in 1967, Terry Crayden and Gary Roberson began to survey the system in a detailed manner.
By the end of 1969, more than 11 miles of the cave had been surveyed. In the early part of 2012, a connection was discovered between Binkley Cave and the Blowing Hole Cave.
Today, the cave system has grown in leaps and bounds and is now over 37 miles long, making it the 11th longest cave system in the US. It is the longest cave system in Indiana. There is widespread speculation that after the entire cave system has been surveyed, it will become the longest privately owned cave system in the US.
The owners have opened the original Binkley Cave as a ‘show cave,’ known as Indiana Caverns, where the public can come in and tour a small part of this cave system.
Geological Cave Formations in Indiana Caverns
A cave tour of the Indiana Caverns takes visitors to the Binkley Cave System, where visitors are taken along a metal walkway. The guide will point out the different beautiful cave formations during the tour, such as stalactites, stalagmites, and cave bacon.
Wildlife in Indiana Caverns
Indiana Caverns is home to a wide variety of animals species such as eyeless fish, crayfish, and spiders. People have also come across bones of many unknown species of birds, frogs, and fish.
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How Big is Indiana Caverns?
The Indiana Caverns is part of the Binkley Cave System and is more than 37 miles long, making it the 11th longest cave system in the US.
Indiana Caverns Tours
People of all ages can join the cave tour. Indiana Caverns is not handicap accessible, but anyone who can walk unassisted should join the cave tour. The cave tour lasts around 80 min on average, and the main highlight of the tour is the 25 min boat ride along the underground river.
The cave tour begins with the visitors walking down a ramp and proceeding towards a futuristic airlock. The airlock has been designed to keep the cave temperature and the humidity as close to natural as possible.
After this, you will be guided through a spiral staircase and reach the first stop, which is a waterfall. The water cascading down the rock for almost 30 ft looks stunningly beautiful. The visitors will continue to walk along the metal walkway, and the guide will point out the different cave formations such as stalagmites and stalactites.
The biggest room on tour is known as the Big Bone Mountain Room. The room has been aptly named as thousands of bones from the Ice Age-era have been found here, including those of Flat Headed Peccary. Many of these bones rest on the cave floor, as they have been doing for the last 15,000 years. No major excavation has taken place in the recent past, but it is assumed that many more species will be unearthed in the future.
Indiana Caverns Tour Prices and Discounts
There are different types of packages available at the park, and they are named Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze. You may also buy individual tickets, but that will not be a price saver. The rates of different packages and single tickets are as follows –
Platinum – It includes Cave Tour, Bat Chaser, and Gemstone Mining.
- USD 42 for ages 13+
- USD 30 for ages 4 to 12
Gold – It includes Cave Tour and Bat Chaser
- USD 33 for ages 13+
- USD 21 for ages 4 to 12
Silver – It includes Cave Tour and Gemstone Mining.
- USD 33 for ages 13+
- USD 21 for ages 4 to 12
Bronze – It includes Cave Tour and Escape Room.
- USD 35 for ages 13+
- USD 21 for ages 7 to 12
- USD 13 for ages 4 to 6
The Individual ticket prices are
- Cave Tour – USD 23 for adults and USD 13 for child
- Escape Room – USD 16 for adults and USD 8 for child
- Bat chaser – USD 14 or two tickets for USD 20
- The Plunge – USD 15 or two tickets for USD 20
- Sabertooth – USD 6
Is Indiana Caverns Cold?
The temperature inside Indiana Caverns hovers around 57 degrees throughout the year, irrespective of the outside weather.
What to Wear?
The temperature inside the cave is not too warm or too cold. The visitors might want to bring a light jacket or a wind shirt. Good walking shoes are also recommended but, generally, anything without high heels should be good. However, sandals and flip-flops are a strict no-no.
Indiana Caverns Hours
The Indiana Caverns is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm EST.
What to Do at Indiana Caverns (Beside Tours)
Apart from the cave, there are some other unique ways by which you can spend your time at Indiana Caverns and enjoy every bit of it.
Bat Chaser
It is a family-friendly adventure that has a unique combination of steel rail coaster and zip lining. The single rail zip coaster is in a suspended form and allows the participant to soar over the treetops! It is the first such attraction in the Midwest.
The Plunge
It is a 50 ft quick drop experience that will have you pumped with full excitement and adrenaline.
Escape Room
It is a learning experience where the participants understood first-hand how a trapped mine crew is rescued during a mineshaft collapse. However, since there has been a decrease in interest in this activity, one needs to check with the park authorities about its availability.
Pygmy Playground
Here you will get a chance to meet the baby pygmy goats of the Indiana Caverns and also experience the joy of feeding them.
Gemstone Mining
Take a bag from the gift shop and go to the Peccary Mining Sluice to find treasures and learn about rocks and fossils.
The Gift Shop
There are gifts for everyone in this lovely gift shop. The price of the gifts ranges from USD 0.50 to USD 300, and the kids will love visiting the gift shop as it has a good collection of children’s books.
Best Time to Visit Indiana Caverns
The Caverns are open throughout the year irrespective of rain or the hot sun. However, they are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
How to Get to Indiana Caverns
Indiana Caverns is less than 5 minutes from Exit 105 and Corydon on I 64. You need to move towards South on Highway 135 through Corydon and then turn right onto Shiloh Road SW and then right onto Green Acres Drive SW.
Hotels near Indiana Caverns
There are decent hotels near the caverns where you can put up for the night, such as Along Blue River Cabin Rentals, Baymont Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn by Hilton, and Clarion Pointe.
Places To Stay Nearby
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