If you’re looking for a different kind of adventure in New York, then you might try going underground. There are a number of caves in the Empire State that you can explore, but the four below are close to one another and you can hit all four in a single day, if you’d like, and if you hurry! Three of the caves in New York below are commercial caves with easy access, but you’ll have to do some real spelunking to explore the fourth. Read on to learn more about these natural wonders.
- Howe Caverns; Howe’s Cave
ismail Challawala/Google Local Howe Caverns is the most popular and most heavily-visited commercial cave in New York. Howe Caverns, 255 Discovery Dr, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA
Steve Mei/Google Local This cave is well-lit and visitors explore via guided tour. There’s an underground lake and even an underground boat ride.
- Secret Caverns; Howe’s Cave
Rich Mulvey/Google Local This cave is near Howe Caverns but is a separate attraction that is independently owned and operated. It’s 100 feet below the earth’s surface. Secret Caverns, 671 Caverns Rd, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA
Margaret McNulty/Google Local This cave is full of amazing underground sights, such as fossils, stalactites and stalagmites, and underground waterfalls.
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves; Pottersville
Management/Google Local This cave differs from the two in Howe’s Cave because the main attraction is the cave entrance rather than the cave itself. This is the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern United States. Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, 535 Stone Bridge Rd, Pottersville, NY 12860, USA
Management/Google Local Visitors can follow the self-guided and above-ground nature trail or can sign up for an adventure tour to crawl and float inside the cave.
- Clarksville Cave; Clarksville
Brandon Kepner/Google Local A visit to this cave is not commercial nor guided at all - if you choose to explore this cave, you’ll be on your own. There are no lights inside and your exploration will be climbing and crawling all the way. This is a very natural cave experience. Don’t try it unprepared and bring lights and helmets for your safety, and tell someone where you’ll be and when you plan to return before you go. Clarksville Cave, New Scotland, NY 12186, USA
A day of cave adventures in these caves in New York is something you’ll never forget! Many people don’t think too much about what’s happening underground in New York, but it turns out there are actually a lot of amazing things below the surface. Try one of the above, or try all four – you’ll love exploring underground New York!
ismail Challawala/Google Local
Howe Caverns is the most popular and most heavily-visited commercial cave in New York.
Howe Caverns, 255 Discovery Dr, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA
Steve Mei/Google Local
This cave is well-lit and visitors explore via guided tour. There’s an underground lake and even an underground boat ride.
Rich Mulvey/Google Local
This cave is near Howe Caverns but is a separate attraction that is independently owned and operated. It’s 100 feet below the earth’s surface.
Secret Caverns, 671 Caverns Rd, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA
Margaret McNulty/Google Local
This cave is full of amazing underground sights, such as fossils, stalactites and stalagmites, and underground waterfalls.
Management/Google Local
This cave differs from the two in Howe’s Cave because the main attraction is the cave entrance rather than the cave itself. This is the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern United States.
Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, 535 Stone Bridge Rd, Pottersville, NY 12860, USA
Visitors can follow the self-guided and above-ground nature trail or can sign up for an adventure tour to crawl and float inside the cave.
Brandon Kepner/Google Local
A visit to this cave is not commercial nor guided at all - if you choose to explore this cave, you’ll be on your own. There are no lights inside and your exploration will be climbing and crawling all the way. This is a very natural cave experience. Don’t try it unprepared and bring lights and helmets for your safety, and tell someone where you’ll be and when you plan to return before you go.
Clarksville Cave, New Scotland, NY 12186, USA
Want to visit more caves in New York? Check these out! Going Into These 8 Caves In New York Is Like Entering Another World
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Secret Caverns, 671 Caverns Rd, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USAAddress: Howe Caverns, 255 Discovery Dr, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USAAddress: Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, 535 Stone Bridge Rd, Pottersville, NY 12860, USAAddress: Clarksville Cave, New Scotland, NY 12186, USA
