Walk into a hideout used by the notorious Jesse James bank robber and find huge multi-colored stalactites and stalagmites at Meramec Caverns.
On a cold and rainy autumn day, my son and I went underground on a tour of Meramec Caverns.
This one-and-a-half-hour-guided tour is 11/4 mile long and includes going up steps and a few places where you have to lower your head. Although, mostly it is wide passage walk. The cave stays at a constant 60 degrees all year.
Entering Meramec Caverns Grounds
We pulled in about 12:20 p.m. and made it onto the 12:30 p.m. tour. The tours go about every 20-30 minutes.
You go through the front area that includes a gift shop and restaurant. Glass doors behind this area lead to the counter where you pay for the tickets for the cave.
Before the Tour
We explored an area that included information on the cave and its history.
You can see an 1860s iron boat found near the cavern. It weighs 400 pounds and can go 15 miles per hour powered by a steam engine. Used to transport gunpowder from the caverns downriver to Union troops.
A side area leads to artifacts and an ancient bear skeleton.
Start of the Tour
We passed through the metal gate to a large open area in the cave which is the Ball Room space.
Next, we saw a clapboard shack once found floating down the Meramec River.
Then we came to a pendulum that swung back and forth. Donated and built by a local high school. Although, not accurate, but the only one located underground in a cave.
Jesse James
Next, we came to an exhibit on Jesse James including a metal chest and lantern light used by him.
In 1874, after a train robbery in Gadshill, Mo., Jesse James and his gang were tracked to the caverns by a posse. The sheriff thought they could capture him from the front. Yet, Jesse knew that the cave stream led out of the back of the cave and they got away. The stream no longer flows into the Meramec River.
Mirror Room
Now we headed to the lower level of the caverns. The water reflecting in the water creates an optical illusion and is commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Caverns.
Movies Filmed Here
Filmed here in 1973 was the movie Tom Sawyer. Two scenes, one with Tom Sawyer (Johnny Whitaker) and Becky Thatcher (Jodie Foster) become lost in a cave and the other when Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (Jeff East) find gold.
An episode of Lassie was filmed in the cave when two children become lost and Lassie finds them and brings the search party to them.
Jungle Room
Further down the lower level, we came to the Jungle Room. Named for the dense growth of cave formations from the floor and ceiling. Thousands of stalactites and stalagmites fill this section of the cave.
Onyx Mountain
We headed back towards the front of the cave and this time took ramps to the upper area.
Next, we went by Onyx Mountain. This is a huge formation created over thirty million years ago and measures 28 feet high by 500 feet. It has striped calcite sides that are orange–iron, black-manganese, and white with no mineral colors.
In this area, they also had a lighting display that changed the colors of nearby stalactites and stalagmites above a pool of water.
Wine Room
Now we went up to the highest level of the caverns. You have to go up 58 steps.
Here you can see the onyx table stands six feet high. Supported on three natural legs. Originally this aragonite formation was created underwater.
Stage Curtain
Lastly, we came to an indoor theater with a naturally created stage curtain. This mineral deposit measures 70 feet high, 60 feet wide, and 35 feet thick.
It is a focal point of a dramatic light and musical presentation done with a patriotic theme.
On the left is a long single stalactite that hangs near the stage curtain and is known as the Mother-In-Law’s Tongue. (Main blog photo)
History of Meramec Caverns
Opened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1933. In 1935 Lester B. Dill, a noted cave explorer, discovered the five upper levels of the caverns. Further exploration revealed 26 miles of underground passages.
Final Thoughts
Meramec Caverns are about an hour away from the St. Louis area. Onondaga Cave and Fisher at Meramec State Park are also close by. I had been to Onondaga Cave in the past and enjoyed it and wanted to see another near St. Louis. This cave had some interesting formations and could be paired with ziplining, canoeing or even camping also offered here.
After the Tour
A gift shop is right next to where you enter the caverns and where my son found a glass box with minerals in it.
OTHER AMENITIES
Restaurant
It has home-style cooking, a snack bar, and 28 flavors of ice cream.
Caveman Zipline
You can soar through the treetops across the Meramec River. Four different zip rides can reach speeds of 50 mph.
Motel and Camping
The motel is up the road a short distance. For reservations call 1-573-468-4215.
Located in front of the caverns are the campgrounds. Numerous trees shade the picnic area and camping is along the riverfront. There are trail hookups, showers, restrooms, barbecue pits, and concession stand
The campground and motel are open from April through October.
Sluice Mining
Children can “pan for gold” at the Sluicing operation.
Canoeing
Take a six or eleven-mile float on the scenic Meramec River. A shuttle bus will take you upriver and you can float back to your car.
Riverboat Rides
A history-filled half-hour-long excursion on the Meramec River aboard a canopy-topped riverboat.
DETAILS:
Cave Tour Cost: $23, Adults – ages 12+; $20.99 -Military; $12.99-Children 5-11; Free- Ages 0-4
Drive: Take Interstate 44 out of St. Louis to Exit 230 and make a left onto Missouri Highway W which will end at Meramec Caverns.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5p.m., March; 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., April; 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., May-June; 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., July-Aug.; 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sept.; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Oct.; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Nov.-Dec.; 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Jan.-Feb. Daily except Christmas and Thanksgiving
Address: 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080
MORE ST. LOUIS AREA CAVES
Cave Hiking at Meramec State Park
Meramec State Park is where you can hike from one cave to another, staring into the darkness in each one, a favorite hike for my son.
Onondaga Cave State Park Tour
Swimming in the Meramec River and hiking to an old cave entrance was our “Sunday Funday” as a family at Onondaga Cave State Park.
Prehistoric Graham Cave State Park
Graham Cave State Park is right off Interstate 70 and is a hike into ancient history. Hiking through the park you walk in the footsteps of hunters-gathers thousands of years ago who found shelter in Graham Cave.
