Think you need to head to the coasts to experience world-class scuba diving? WRONG! Missourians, you’ve got a great option much, much closer to home: The Bonne Terre Mine.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/9-37.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
The mine opened in 1860 and was one of the first deep-earth lead mines. It closed in 1962, but before that, it was the largest producer of lead ore on the planet!
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/1-57.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
Now, it’s a highly rated dive site you’ve got to see to believe.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/3-46.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
Called Billion Dollar Lake Resort, the mine has been transformed into a 17-mile lake with, you guessed it, one billion gallons of water.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/2.jpeg?w=500&quality=50)
This makes it the largest freshwater scuba diving venue in the WORLD.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/4-47.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
Its location in an abandoned mine means the environment can be carefully controlled to offer the best diving experience possible.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/6-46.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
There’s more than 100 feet of visibility at all times, thanks to the 500,000 watts of lighting, and the water is always 58 degrees.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/7-40.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
Experienced guides take groups through the mine’s 24 dive trails, where you can see mammoth archways, calcium falls and a variety of mining artifacts, including the elevator shaft.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/tour-1.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
If you’re not a certified diver, walking and boat tours of the mine also are available.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/10-26.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
This year, USA Today’s Readers’ Choice awards named it America’s Best Underwater Attraction, and it’s also been named one of the top 10 adventures in America by National Geographic Adventure.
![alt](https://admin.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/11-16.jpg?w=500&quality=50)
Famous marine explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau even visited once in the ‘80s!
To see more of the mine, check out this video:
For more unexpected Missouri, check out these castles sprinkled throughout the state!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!