Exploring the Underground
Missouri is truly the cave state, with 5,550 registered and mapped
"wild" caves. Camden, Miller and Morgan counties, which surround the
Lake of the Ozarks, are home to 300 of these wild caves.
 Show
Caves are wild caves that have been "tamed" through tremendous
work and expense. Paved walkways, bridges and hand rails have been
constructed, and lights have been installed for the convenience
of viewing nature¹s underground beauty with little effort and
very safely. No special clothing or equipment is necessary.
Want-to-be spelunkers can experience geology, hydrology and anthropology
in these underground classrooms. One of the best things about visiting
a cave is that no matter what the weather or season, the temperature
is approximately 50-60 degrees year-round, varying slightly with
each cave: warm in the winter, cool in the summer.
The Lake area is blessed with three show caves (out of Missouri's
22) and is one of the only tourist destinations in the United States
with three show caves within 30 miles of each other.
Bridal Cave, just north of Camdenton, off Hwy.
5 on Lake Road 5-88, can also be reached by water on the 10.5 mile
marker on the Big Niangua Arm of the Lake.
It was formed by the Ozark upheaval when the Ozark Mountains were formed 42-46 million years ago and is adorned with massive columns, stalactites, stalagmites and draperies from the start to beyond the end of the tour at the sparkling crystal clear Spirit Lake. Bridal Cave, in keeping with the tradition of the Indian legend has hosted over 1325 weddings in the stalactite adorned Bridal Chapel.
Jacob's Cave, north Hwy. 5 on State Rd. TT,
north of Gravois Mills, is the largest cave in the Lake area, a
"walk through" cave and completely accessible to persons
with disabilities.
Jacob's Cave is famous for its depth illusion, reflective pools, ceiling sponge-work, prehistoric bones (Mastadon, bear, and Peccary), and the world's largest Geode. On the mile-long tour, you will see every type of cave formation imaginable, from millions of soda straws, massive stalactites and columns, to delicate helectites. Evidence of six ice ages and 3 earthquakes can be seen.
Ozark Caverns is a state owned cave, located off
A Road. Ozark Caverns is famous for its Angels Shower, a treat for
any cave enthusiast.
Great care is taken not to disturb anything of nature. The cave stream exits the mouth of the cave and forms a fin in front of the cave (fresh water swamp); too shallow for fish, but just right for a vast array of exotic plant and animal life native to this area.
It is also a "walk through" and ADA
accessible.
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