Caverns In Pennsylvania

Many People Visit Caverns to Escape the Heat

"There's no question when the temperature reaches the upper 90's and approaching 100 that lots of visitors and residents alike are looking for a respite from the heat," said Shaffer.

Visitors say taking a tour of the caves is a great activity to keep cool.

"It's probably at least 20 degrees colder down there than it is out here," said Alex Love, who was visiting from Maryland.

"There's actually a big difference, hot and humid out here as you can tell and very cool down inside," said Bill Trotman, visiting from Pennsylvania. "Actually our daughter was in there and she was pretty cold when we got down to the lowest part of the caverns."

Keeping cool is part of the history of Luray Caverns. Shaffer says a house was built on top of the caves in 1901, and it was the first home to have air conditioning in the world.

"A fan was put in a shaft that led to the caverns and the fan blew the cool air up into the house, maintaining a constant 70 degree temperature inside the house, year round," said Shaffer.

Just as this home kept cool over a century ago, people today continue to enjoy that natural cool air in the caves during these hot days.

Vacation Rental | Pennsylvania's Indian Caverns

Pennsylvania is well known for its forested mountains, rushing streams and spectacular scenery, but most aren’t familiar with the surprising natural wonders that exist underground.  Aside from its wealth of coal reserves, the state is also home to numerous limestone cave systems.  So join us as we put on our spelunking gear and take a closer look at Indian Caverns.

Actually, no gear is necessary for the cavern tour, which lasts approximately 60-90 minutes.  Even older visitors can easily navigate the cave’s concrete and gravel paths and short stairways.  However, you may want to bring a light jacket, as the temperature within is 56 degrees Fahrenheit all year long.

Settlers became aware of the cave in the early 1800’s, and it was even briefly used as an outlaw hideout during the time period.  Over a hundred years later, a local couple discovered an expansive, new section of the cave, which then made it three times larger than had previously been known.  The couple purchased the cave and surrounding land and developed it into a tourist attraction.  During the process, several Native American artifacts and remains were found.  Archaeologists determined they were over 400 years old, and were most likely left by the Mohawk or Lenape tribes. 

Indian Caverns is the largest limestone cave in Pennsylvania , and most of its flowstone and dripstone formations are still “alive” and growing.  Along the mile-long tour, visitors will see stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, columns, a large flowstone formation and a rimstone pool.  In the White Grotto room, the cave’s calcite and zinc sulfide deposits glow a fluorescent blue-green color under ultraviolet light, creating a beautiful shimmering effect.

While taking a break from a road trip in your RV rental or motorhome rental to explore the caverns, you can also enjoy some topside activities as well.  After a picnic lunch, try some catch and release fishing on Spruce Creek (on-site permits available), or try your luck at gem and arrowhead panning.  Before you leave, be sure to make a stop at the gift shop for rocks and minerals, T-shirts, jewelry, snacks and Native American souvenirs.

Located between the cities of Altoona and State College among the wooded ridges of the Spruce Creek Valley, Indian Caverns is a fun, educational destination you won’t want to miss!

Let us know your thoughts on PA’s Indian Caverns.  We welcome your suggestions on other Pennsylvania travel destinations and activities as well!

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Penn's grandest cavern, the history, legends and description of Penn's Cave in Centre County, Pennsylvania

Backroads of Pennsylvania, your guide to Pennsylvania's most scenic backroad adventures

Pennsylvania archaeologist

Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on Karst Geology and Hydrology