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Spend The Day Exploring These Four Caves In New York

Explore four unique caves in New York for an unforgettable underground adventure.

Published Sep 19, 2022

Written by 

Christy Articola

If you're looking for a different kind of adventure in New York, then you might try going underground. There are a number of caves in the Empire State that you can explore, but the four below are close to one another and you can hit all four in a single day, if you'd like, and if you hurry! Three of the caves in New York below are commercial caves with easy access, but you'll have to do some real spelunking to explore the fourth. Read on to learn more about these natural wonders.

1. Howe Caverns; Howe's Cave

A grassy hillside with large white letters spelling "HOWF CAVERNS" in front of a building under a clear blue sky.
ismail Challawala/Google Local

Howe Caverns is the most popular and most heavily-visited commercial cave in New York.

A dimly lit cave with rock formations and a wooden walkway along a reflective water surface.
Steve Mei/Google Local

This cave is well-lit and visitors explore via guided tour. There's an underground lake and even an underground boat ride.

2. Secret Caverns; Howe's Cave

Colorful mural on a building entrance featuring a cartoonish beaver, with benches and a red carpet leading inside.
Rich Mulvey/Google Local

This cave is near Howe Caverns but is a separate attraction that is independently owned and operated. It's 100 feet below the earth's surface.

A colorful cave interior featuring a sign that reads "SUSPENDED CEILING" amidst rock formations and lighting.
Margaret McNulty/Google Local

This cave is full of amazing underground sights, such as fossils, stalactites and stalagmites, and underground waterfalls.

3. Natural Stone Bridge & Caves; Pottersville

A rocky cliff with lush greenery above, featuring a wooden railing and people enjoying the view from the top.
Management/Google Local

This cave differs from the two in Howe's Cave because the main attraction is the cave entrance rather than the cave itself. This is the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern United States.

A group of hikers explores a rocky cave surrounded by trees in a natural setting.
Management/Google Local

Visitors can follow the self-guided and above-ground nature trail or can sign up for an adventure tour to crawl and float inside the cave.

4. Clarksville Cave; Clarksville

Four people pose in a dimly lit cave, smiling and standing under a rocky ceiling.
Brandon Kepner/Google Local

A visit to this cave is not commercial nor guided at all - if you choose to explore this cave, you'll be on your own. There are no lights inside and your exploration will be climbing and crawling all the way. This is a very natural cave experience. Don't try it unprepared and bring lights and helmets for your safety, and tell someone where you'll be and when you plan to return before you go.

A day of cave adventures in these caves in New York is something you'll never forget! Many people don't think too much about what's happening underground in New York, but it turns out there are actually a lot of amazing things below the surface. Try one of the above, or try all four - you'll love exploring underground New York!

Want to visit more caves in New York? Check these out! Going Into These 8 Caves In New York Is Like Entering Another World

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