From limestone sinks to lava tubes, caves across the U.S. reveal a wide range of geology, history and wildlife. This list brings together systems from different regions so you can quickly see how they compare by location and mapped length.
There are 21 Caves in the United States, ranging from Blanchard Springs Caverns to Wind Cave (additional entrance area listed under same system). Entries are organized with State,Coordinates (lat, lon),Length (m) so you can scan location and size at a glance — details you’ll find below.
How were the caves chosen for this list?
The selection is based on documented cave systems with public survey or park records: notable length or unique features, reliable coordinates, and geographic spread across states. Where possible I used official sources and cave survey data to keep entries consistent and comparable.
Can I visit these caves, and what should I check before going?
Access varies: some are commercial show caves with guided tours, others require permits or are closed for conservation. Before visiting, check the managing agency or cave association, confirm current access rules, and prepare appropriate gear and guidance for safety.
Caves in the United States
| Name | State | Coordinates (lat, lon) | Length (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Cave | Kentucky | 37.1860,-86.1005 | 412,900 |
| Jewel Cave | South Dakota | 43.5321,-103.8441 | 306,000 |
| Wind Cave | South Dakota | 43.5928,-103.4679 | 225,000 |
| Lechuguilla Cave | New Mexico | 32.4140,-104.5430 | 209,000 |
| Carlsbad Caverns | New Mexico | 32.1479,-104.5567 | 112,000 |
| Kartchner Caverns | Arizona | 31.8959,-110.2693 | 5,500 |
| Luray Caverns | Virginia | 38.6641,-78.5448 | 1,190 |
| Natural Bridge Caverns | Texas | 29.8094,-98.3189 | 2,600 |
| Lehman Caves | Nevada | 39.0274,-114.2728 | 2,200 |
| Howe Caverns | New York | 42.8548,-74.3359 | 1,800 |
| Ruby Falls | Tennessee | 34.7376,-85.3554 | 370 |
| Blanchard Springs Caverns | Arkansas | 35.9076,-92.3100 | 3,700 |
| Friars Hole Cave System | West Virginia | 38.6033,-80.6436 | 36,000 |
| Organ Cave | West Virginia | 37.8725,-81.1469 | 18,400 |
| Mammoth Cave (Saltpetre works) — included in system | Kentucky | 37.1850,-86.0980 | 412,900 |
| Seneca Caverns | Ohio | 39.7092,-81.6380 | 1,000 |
| Meramec Caverns | Missouri | 38.0281,-91.1413 | 1,600 |
| Marengo Cave | Indiana | 38.3719,-86.5795 | 1,300 |
| Wind Cave (additional entrance area listed under same system) | South Dakota | 43.5950,-103.4660 | 225,000 |
| Great Onyx Cave | Kentucky | 37.3529,-85.3070 | 1,700 |
| Great Spring Cave | Missouri | 37.1030,-91.8870 | 6,100 |
Images and Descriptions
Mammoth Cave
Public (Mammoth Cave National Park) with guided show tours and permit-only wild trips. World’s longest known cave system, vast karst passages, rivers, and historic sites make it a must-visit for spelunkers and casual visitors alike.
Jewel Cave
Public (Jewel Cave National Monument) with ranger-led tours and permit spelunking. Exceptionally long maze of calcite and boxwork formations; noted for complex, multi-level passages and scientific cave mapping opportunities.
Wind Cave
Public (Wind Cave National Park) with show tours and limited permitted exploration. Famous for rare calcite boxwork, extensive passages, and prairie-surface sinkhole karst; strong cultural and natural significance.
Lechuguilla Cave
Closed to casual visitors; access by strict permit for scientists and experienced explorers. Noted for pristine speleothems, gypsum chandeliers, and deep remote passages; one of North America’s most spectacular cave discoveries.
Carlsbad Caverns
Public (Carlsbad Caverns National Park) with self-guided and ranger tours. Massive chambers including the Big Room, abundant stalactites and stalagmites, and nightly bat flights (seasonal) make it internationally famous.
Kartchner Caverns
Public (state park show cave) with guided tours; portions protected and monitored. Known for vivid, living formations and conservation-focused management that preserves delicate speleothems and cave ecology.
Luray Caverns
Public (show cave) with guided tours. Renowned for enormous chambers, “Great Stalacpipe Organ” strummed by dripstones, and easy visitor access close to Shenandoah Valley attractions.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Public (commercial show cave) with guided tours and adventure spelunking options. Near San Antonio, features dramatic rooms, flowstone, and accessible adventure routes for families and active visitors.
Lehman Caves
Public (Great Basin National Park) with scheduled ranger tours. Rich in delicate rimstone pools, helictites, and historic cave decoration; small-group tours preserve fragile features.
Howe Caverns
Public (show cave) with guided tours and boat rides. Popular historic tourist cave with walkthrough trails, easy access, and family-friendly interpretive exhibits.
Ruby Falls
Public (show cave) with elevator access to a dramatic underground waterfall. Located in Lookout Mountain; combines show-cave experience with scenic mountain tourism and an illuminated 145-foot waterfall.
Blanchard Springs Caverns
Public (Ozark–St. Francis National Forest show cave) with guided tours and lantern tours. Famous for pristine, well-lit halls, stalactites, and healthy cave stream systems in the Ozarks.
Friars Hole Cave System
Access by permit or contact with local caving clubs; portions on private land. Extensive Appalachian cave system with long passageways and varied formations; popular with experienced cavers.
Organ Cave
Mixed access (some public tours historically; much is gated/private) with guided options by arrangement. Large historic cave with huge rooms, gypsum, and Civil War-era artifacts; significant karst complex in Greenbrier Valley.
Mammoth Cave (Saltpetre works) — included in system
Public access via Mammoth Cave NP tours and self-guided areas; historic saltpeter mining sites inside Mammoth system offer layered natural and cultural history in one visit.
Seneca Caverns
Public (show cave) with guided tours and easy walkways. Compact system featuring flowstone, stalactites, and accessible passages; family-oriented destination popular in southeastern Ohio.
Meramec Caverns
Public (commercial show cave) with guided tours and event hosting. Well-known tourist cave in the Ozarks, famous for large halls, colorful formations, and historical ties to local legends.
Marengo Cave
Public (show cave) with guided tours and spelunking options. Classic Indiana limestone cave with two distinct passages, stalactites, and stalagmites; family-friendly tours and educational programs.
Wind Cave (additional entrance area listed under same system)
Public with cave tours and permitted exploration. The cave’s thin fissure passages and vast boxwork-lined rooms create unique airflow “wind” phenomena and geology-focused educational visits.
Great Onyx Cave
Public (show cave) historically open with private tour options; check current access. Famous for early 20th-century onyx-style flowstone displays and large show rooms near Mammoth area attractions.
Great Spring Cave
Access by permit or via regional caving groups; on private land. Noted for large spring resurgence passages and technical diving opportunities; attracts experienced explorers studying groundwater systems.
