Love Caves? Check Out These Destinations in the USA

By
Robin S
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Luray Caverns, Cave Hill Road, VA. Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash

Cave lovers will find themselves in heaven if they take a long trip to the United States. This country’s karst and limestone-rich topography lend itself for underground tunnels to be formed and for spelunkers to have a great time chasing stalactites and stalagmites.

The US is full of caves, but anyone who loves these interesting formations has to add these three American sites to their must-see list.

Mammoth Cave (Kentucky)

The United States’ largest cave system is, in fact, the largest known cave system in the entire world. Located in central Kentucky, this site is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a US National Park, meaning that rangers can take anyone on guided tours throughout the miles of underground paths offered.

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“Nature, time, and patience are the three great physicians.” -Chinese Proverb Did you know that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing? Contact with nature can provide relief and healing for physical and mental health. Even passive experiences with nature, such as viewing photos or videos of natural places, can reduce stress levels. Today on Park RX Day we invite you to take a virtual cave tour with us and enjoy the peacefulness of Mammoth Cave! Follow the link in our bio access videos of rangers sharing information in various locations within Mammoth Cave. Throughout National Park Week 2020, we find comfort in knowing that Mammoth Cave has existed for millions of years before us, and will still be there waiting for us when we can all be together again. #ParkRXDay #HealthyParksHealthyPeople #ActivePeople #PositivelyWell A photo of cave stalactites lit with orange and yellow lights, with a tourist pathway snaking through them. #MammothCave #MammothCaveNationalPark #NationalParkService #NationalParkWeek #EnvisioningYour2020ParkExperience #FindYourPark

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Luray Caverns (Virginia)

You don’t have to travel far outside of the nation’s capital of Washington DC to find Luray Caverns, a cave system which stands out for the elaborate rock structures that can be found within it. One of the highlights is its “Dream Lake,” whose mirror-like appearance makes for a stunning sight.

Carlsbad Caverns (New Mexico)

Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico are the West’s biggest cave system, encompassing more than 100 individual caves. Calcite formations make a stunning display of stalactites and stalagmites in the publicly-accessible area of the caves, an unforgettable sight.