Onondaga Cave State Park

Amazing campground with big sites that are shaded.

I went on the cave tour in summer 2017. Onondaga caves have a lot of steep paths which left a lot of the tour group out of breath, but I think most of our breaths were taken away by the 1 & 1/2 hour stalagmite scene. The tour guide was knowledgeable of the caves and seemed very enthusiastic about her job. She even turned the lights off for a minute and allowed us to experience complete silence and darkness; it was cool experience, cooler than the caves temperature (50F year round, so bring a jacket!). They make everyone clean their shoes and kindly inform people who travel to other caves to not wear the same articles of clothing in order to prevent spread of fatal disease in the bat population. There was an admission price of 20-something dollars per adult, but it is definitely a sight worth seeing especially for those first-time cave visitors.

I thoroughly enjoyed my cave tour. But very cold underground! Bring a thick jacket or coat, even in the summer.

Although the tour itself is a bit corny and too fast for my pace the cave is actually breathtaking and worth the trip and money.

Onondaga Cave State Park is a Missouri state park about 80 minutes from St. Louis. The park was established in 1929, and features Onondaga Cave, one of the most extensive caves in the state. The tours here are great, and we love the hiking trails too.

We think a visit here makes a great day trip from St. Louis!