There seems to be a misconception about caves being underground…and not in Kansas. Neither is the case when it comes to this unique 2,500-foot-long above ground cave in southeast Kansas:

Located along the Kansas Ozarks near Galena is that of Schermerhorn Park and Southeast Kansas Nature Center, which houses native wildlife, plateaus, an exploration station, and much more. One of the most intriguing points of the park, however, is the Schermerhorn Cave; a 1/2 mile long above ground cave made of Mississippian limestone deposited millions of years ago.

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Due to its rare habitat, visitors are unable to actually enter the cave, but can view the entrance (where Jesse James is rumored to have hidden at one time) from the trail and designated viewing platform. (When you visit, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for rare Kansas wildlife, including various species of salamanders.)

For more information on Schermerhorn Park, Southeast Kansas Nature Center, and Schermerhorn Cave, be sure to visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism’s website.

Want to explore even more Kansas caves? Check out our post on these 5 Kansas caves!

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