When you think of mines, you might picture cramped, dusty caves with narrow, claustrophobic tunnels. However, with a 17-mile lake in the lower portion of its cave, the Bonne Terre Mine in Missouri creates a much bigger and wonderful space to explore.
Founded in 1860, Bonne Terre Mine was the world’s largest lead producer until it shut down in 1962.
Bonne Terre Mine/Facebook It is one of the largest man-made caverns in the world!
Back in its heyday, the mine was part of the Southeast Missouri District that produced 70% of the United States’ lead at one point.
Bonne Terre Mine/Facebook This historic mine in Missouri was one of the earliest deep-earth lead mines anywhere. It is currently on the National Register of Historic Places.
Much of Bonne Terre’s mining history has been preserved and even the train depot still remains.
Bonne Terre Mine/Facebook
Feel free to take your time enjoying this intriguing lead mine in Missouri by staying at the Bonne Terre Depot Bed and Breakfast! Guests can even stay in the historic train cars suites to get a true vintage feel.
Bonne Terre Mine/Facebook Visitors can spend the night at the depot’s bed and breakfast. The depot was built in 1909 and renovated in 1989 offering rooms, great food, and even a reception venue.
Once in the mine, visitors may choose to take a walking or boat tour or to scuba dive into the cave’s waters.
sdmeyer/TripAdvisor For a unique tour in Missouri, check out the Bonne Terre Underground Boat Tour! Sail along the world’s largest subterranean lake! The Underground Boat and Walking Tour lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.
The lower portion of the mines form a one billion gallon, seventeen-mile long lake.
Bonne Terre Mines/Facebook
Scuba divers are able to explore abandoned remnants from the old mines.
Bonne Terre Mine/Facebook Diving tours are available, too! With proof of diving certification, guests can choose one of many packages to see this incredible mine from down below!
During the walking tour, you’ll get to walk through the tunnels that miners created using only shovels and picks.
tripadvisor/SuperMom1656 Come see “One of America’s Top 10 Greatest Adventures," as listed by National Geographic! A historic mine in Missouri, the Bonne Terre Mine is a fun adventure!
The Bonne Terre Mine has become a travel destination for people all over the world. In fact, National Geographic named it as one of the “Top 10 Diving Resorts” in the world in 2013. Whether walking the mine or taking a dive into its incredible subterranean waters, this is sure to be an adventure you won’t soon forget!
Bonne Terre Mine/Facebook
It is one of the largest man-made caverns in the world!
This historic mine in Missouri was one of the earliest deep-earth lead mines anywhere. It is currently on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visitors can spend the night at the depot’s bed and breakfast. The depot was built in 1909 and renovated in 1989 offering rooms, great food, and even a reception venue.
sdmeyer/TripAdvisor
For a unique tour in Missouri, check out the Bonne Terre Underground Boat Tour! Sail along the world’s largest subterranean lake! The Underground Boat and Walking Tour lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.
Bonne Terre Mines/Facebook
Diving tours are available, too! With proof of diving certification, guests can choose one of many packages to see this incredible mine from down below!
tripadvisor/SuperMom1656
Come see “One of America’s Top 10 Greatest Adventures," as listed by National Geographic! A historic mine in Missouri, the Bonne Terre Mine is a fun adventure!
What are some of your favorite adventure spots in Missouri? Don’t keep it a secret! Share it with us in the comments below.
Missouri is the perfect state for excitement! Plan your next adventure with any of these recommendations today!
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Address: 185 Park Ave, Bonne Terre, MO 63628, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
mine tour in Missouri August 11, 2022 Christina Arrascaeta Where can I hike to a cave in Missouri? Many cave enthusiasts know that Missouri has some of the best caves and rock formations in the Midwest. Missouri, also known as the “Cave State” is home to over 6,000 caves! While Meramec Caverns is the most popular destination for having some of the world’s largest and most interesting rock formations, other notable caves include Bluff Dweller’s Cave, Fantastic Caverns, and Marvel Cave. What are the best outdoor activities in Missouri? Missouri is a treasure trove of great outdoor activities to suit just about anyone! Stare up at wonder at the Bouldering at Elephant Rock State Park or take to the Colosseum Trail in Camdenton, Missouri. The state’s vast forests make ziplining a breeze! Don’t forget places that are great for kids, like Branson Butterfly Palace and the Missouri Botanical Gardens. What are the most unique things to do in Missouri? Travelers and residents of the midwestern state of Missouri have plenty of unique options to do in the state. From listening to country music in famous Branson and seeing the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to taking in a casino night on a riverboat and hiking the gorgeous Prairie State Park, Missouri is a playground of fun entertainment!
The OIYS Visitor Center
mine tour in Missouri
August 11, 2022
Christina Arrascaeta
Where can I hike to a cave in Missouri? Many cave enthusiasts know that Missouri has some of the best caves and rock formations in the Midwest. Missouri, also known as the “Cave State” is home to over 6,000 caves! While Meramec Caverns is the most popular destination for having some of the world’s largest and most interesting rock formations, other notable caves include Bluff Dweller’s Cave, Fantastic Caverns, and Marvel Cave. What are the best outdoor activities in Missouri? Missouri is a treasure trove of great outdoor activities to suit just about anyone! Stare up at wonder at the Bouldering at Elephant Rock State Park or take to the Colosseum Trail in Camdenton, Missouri. The state’s vast forests make ziplining a breeze! Don’t forget places that are great for kids, like Branson Butterfly Palace and the Missouri Botanical Gardens. What are the most unique things to do in Missouri? Travelers and residents of the midwestern state of Missouri have plenty of unique options to do in the state. From listening to country music in famous Branson and seeing the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to taking in a casino night on a riverboat and hiking the gorgeous Prairie State Park, Missouri is a playground of fun entertainment!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Many cave enthusiasts know that Missouri has some of the best caves and rock formations in the Midwest. Missouri, also known as the “Cave State” is home to over 6,000 caves! While Meramec Caverns is the most popular destination for having some of the world’s largest and most interesting rock formations, other notable caves include Bluff Dweller’s Cave, Fantastic Caverns, and Marvel Cave.
What are the best outdoor activities in Missouri?
Missouri is a treasure trove of great outdoor activities to suit just about anyone! Stare up at wonder at the Bouldering at Elephant Rock State Park or take to the Colosseum Trail in Camdenton, Missouri. The state’s vast forests make ziplining a breeze! Don’t forget places that are great for kids, like Branson Butterfly Palace and the Missouri Botanical Gardens.
What are the most unique things to do in Missouri?
Travelers and residents of the midwestern state of Missouri have plenty of unique options to do in the state. From listening to country music in famous Branson and seeing the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to taking in a casino night on a riverboat and hiking the gorgeous Prairie State Park, Missouri is a playground of fun entertainment!
