Sullivan, MO
Difficulty: Easy
With over 7,500 documented caves, it’s no wonder Missouri is nicknamed the Cave State. Only about 4,500 caves have been mapped and about 500 miles of passages surveyed. That means there’s a lot of exploring left to do, and new caverns are being discovered everyday! Missouri is perfect place for cave formations due to the underlying carbonate bedrock. Rain water percolates through the cracks in the ground and dissolves the soft bedrock. Over millions of years, the ground water enlarges the passages forming the caverns of the cave.
Meramec Caverns is one of those 7,500 documented caves. Estimated to be about 400 million years old, the cave system contains structures that are truly one of a kind! The first unique item is in the “Wine Room.” The Wine Room gets its name because of the small grape like clusters of mineral deposits called botryoids.
Within this room is the rarest cave formation in the world, with only one other structure alike. The “Wine Table” stands slightly over 6ft (1.8M) tall and is supported by 3 natural legs called aragonite. This is one of two similar formations in the world, the other is in Sicily. The area of the cave was once entirely under water, which is what helped created the grape like structures within the room.
The other notable formation is the “Theatre Room” and is home to the “Greatest Show Under Earth. ” This specific area took several thousand years to form and is still changing today. A massive 6-story high salt and mineral deposit create the “stage curtain” while rock and limestone create the “stage”. The room has been used for performances and light shows. The owners of the cave have even set up bench seating for about 60 people and tour guides often provide a light show as the last stop on the tour.
The rivers and streams that carved out the cave are still visible. There are several waterbodies within the cave. Coupled with the lighting, visitors are treated to a special optical illusion. Lights high in the rock illuminate the ceiling. When the water is still, the now visible ceiling is reflected off the water, creating the appearance of canyons and crevasses.
Meramec Caverns also has a very unique history. Philipp Renault first visited the area in 1720. Local Indian tribes mentioned a giant hole they would use to seek shelter during severe weather. Renault quickly located the cave and discovered the saltpeter lined the walls. Saltpeter (otherwise known as potassium nitrate) is a key ingredient in producing gunpowder. Renault’s discovery paved the way for Mining operations beginning in the 1720s and continuing all the way to the civil war. The cave was initially controlled by the Union and used as a gunpowder manufacturing and storage facility. However, Confederate troops successfully destroyed the facility, ending gunpowder production in Meramec Caverns forever. Legend also says Jesse James and his brother Frank used the cave to hide from law enforcement in the 1870s. Artifacts belonging to the outlaw duo were discovered throughout the cave in the 1940s. Through the 1960s and 70s, the cave has also played host to a few Hollywood movie scenes including Tom Sawyer (1973) and an episode of Lassie (1966).
Today the cave is privately owned and has been private since 1933. Over the years the cave has expanded as new passages are discovered. Researchers believe there is more to the cave that is yet to be explored. The 1.25 mile tour around the cave is appropriate for all ages (dogs and animals are not allowed) and occurs fully along a stone walkway. There are no tight passages or small areas (claustrophobics welcome), although visitors over 6ft might need to watch their head in a few locations. In addition to cave tours, the facility offers a plethora of activities including river riding, camping and ziplining. If you are ever in the St. Louis area, make a point to travel a short hour west to visit Meramec Caverns and soak in this unique gem of eastern Missouri.
Parking: 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO, 63080
AllTrails: Not on AllTrails, guided tours available! Walk is about 1.25 miles and takes ~1 hour and 20 minutes complete.
Off The Trails: A Hiker's Guide to the Outdoors 
Leave a comment