Located near Stanton, Missouri, Meramec Caverns is a 4.6-mile-long cavern system offering guided cave tours, family-friendly outdoor activities, and lodging and campground options. Meramec Caverns are a 4.6-mile-long cavern system located within the Ozark Mountains near the city of Stanton, Missouri.
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What is the history of Meramec Caverns?
- The caverns were formed more than 400 million years ago from the erosion of limestone deposits within the Meramec Valley.
- Indigenous Americans used the caverns for centuries as shelter.
- They were first discovered by European settlers in 1720 when French explorer Philipp Renault and his crew found the caves after shoring off the Meramec River.
- Renault named the cave system Saltpeter Cave due to its abundance of saltpeter deposits.
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How was Meramec Caverns used historically?
- Throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the cave was a disputed territory due to the mining of its resources.
- According to local legend, the cave was used by Jesse James as a hideout in the 1870s, though there is no historical evidence to support this claim.
- During the 1890s, the cave hosted summertime cave parties to provide residents relief from the summer heat, earning part of the cave the nickname “The Ballroom”.
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Who developed Meramec Caverns into a tourist attraction?
- In 1933, Lester Benton Dill purchased the cave and created a family-friendly attraction offering guided tours.
- That same year, Dill discovered an additional wing of the cave, nicknamed the “Stage Curtain” and “Theatre Room”.
- Additional rooms were discovered in 1941 and 1947, forming the cave’s current public structure.
- The cave was later featured in films, including Tom Sawyer (1972) and Deep Impact (1998).
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What attractions are available at Meramec Caverns?
- The caverns operate as a family attraction, offering educational guided tours.
- Tours take visitors along lighted walkways, providing information about the cave’s formation, history, and major structures.
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Notable rooms include:
- Wine Room – Home to the rare onyx aragonite formation known as the Wine Table.
- Stage Curtain – A large sheet wall of formations near the Theatre Room.
- Ballroom – Once used for public parties and dances in the 19th century.
- Mirror Room – Creates an optical illusion of water depth up to 50 feet.
- Hollywood Room – A filming site for several movies and TV shows.
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What outdoor activities does Meramec Caverns offer?
- A Zip Line Adventure, added in 2018, offers an hour-long course traversing the Meramec River region.
- Riverboat Rides aboard the Cavern Queen I and II are available between April and September.
- Visitors can also enjoy Canoe Floats of six or eleven miles, along with weather-permitting raft and kayak rentals.
- For young visitors, the Meramec Mining Company gold-panning attraction allows children to pan for pyrite rocks, fossils, and gemstones.
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What dining options are available at Meramec Caverns?
- The attraction’s home-style restaurant seats up to 250 guests and offers private rentals.
- Catering options include outdoor barbecue, picnic catering, and box lunches for tour groups.
- Granny’s Candy Store serves homemade fudge and 28 varieties of homemade ice cream.
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What lodging options are available at Meramec Caverns?
- The Meramec Caverns Motel is open between April and October and is located in LaJolla Natural Park.
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Meramec Caverns Campground offers:
- Trailer hookups
- Barbecue pits
- Showers and restrooms
- Concession stand
- Sheltered pavilions
- Playground
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What educational programs does Meramec Caverns offer?
- K-12 field trips provide curriculum-based learning experiences in natural sciences and geology.
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School tours last approximately 80 minutes
and include:
- A showing of an introductory speleology documentary
- A free miniature workshop on geology-related topics
- Scouting programs are available for all ages and ranks, with activities tailored for geology-related badge completion.
1135 Highway W, Sullivan, MO 63080, Phone: 573-468-CAVE
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