Great Onyx Cave

Here in Kentucky we have to visit Mammoth Cave, less than 2 hour drive through the country.

We actually found a cave tour we had not been on before, the Great Onyx Lantern Tour. The online description:

Great Onyx Lantern Tour

Learn the legends and rumors of early community life as you travel by bus to Great Onyx Cave. The Great Onyx cave was a privately owned and operated cave along Flint Ridge until the 1960's. Discover how Great Onyx survived the Cave Wars and emerged as one of the most pristine show caves in the region. Exploring this beautifully decorated natural wonder by lantern light offers a different perspective to the multitudes of dripstone, gypsum, and helictite formations.

Special Notice: This cave is toured within Mammoth Cave National Park, but is not known to connect with the Mammoth Cave System.

Age Limit: 6 and over Duration: 2¼ hours Distance: 1 mile Total Stairs: 40 Difficulty: Moderate Tour Capacity: 38

All of the tour guides at Mammoth Cave are very informative, but we were especially fortunate to have a Kentucky local as our guide, and did he know his history! We learned all about the cave wars and the acquisition of the Great Onyx Cave.

Always make reservations ahead of time, it is very easy at Recreation.gov. And don't forget to use your senior pass for half price!

Be sure to check out the Visitors Center, the exhibit area has a film of the history of the cave and a segment on the Dirty Jobs visit, narrated by Mike Rowe.