Can’t get enough of cave exploration? Check out these upstate caves:
Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride at 21 Main St., Lockport, NY 14094
716-438-0174
www.lockportcave.com
Take one of the most unique tours in all of America. During your 70-minute guided tour, you will get to drift through a 1,600-foot water power tunnel blasted out of solid rock. Explore the historic Erie Canal Locks that were constructed in 1838.
Your journey continues with the unique and mysterious underground boat ride—a one-of-a-kind journey that takes you through a series of fascinating wonders. Find artifacts left by miners on the Erie Canal about a century ago. View cave formations that are still in the early stages of development. The attraction is a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls. Admission is: $13 (adults), $7.50 (kids ages 5-14), children 4 and under are free.
Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park at 535 Stone Bridge Rd., Pottersville, NY 12860
518-494-2283
www.stonebridgeandcaves.com
Take one of the self-guided explorations tours and journey through the largest marble cave entrance in the East. Originally named Ponte de Dios (Bridge of God) by early explorers, the bridge has fascinated tourists for more than 200 years.
Experience the many unique rock features in the marble gorge. Then journey below into the lighted surface caves, complete with raging waterfalls and tranquil dark pools. From July to August, take the Adventure Tour (ages 13 and older) and have access to additional caves in the park. Adventure Tours are three hours long and led by trained guides. General cave admission is $14 (adults), $8.50 (kids ages 5-12), and free for kids 4 and under.
Secret Caverns at 671 Caverns Rd., Howes Cave, NY 12092
518-296-8558
www.secretcaverns.com
Secret Caverns is home to the 100-foot underground waterfall and is conveniently located near Howe Caverns. Descend 103 stairs into the cave and enjoy an hour-long guided tour. Tours depart every 20 minutes. Explore all types of ancient calcite formations and prehistoric fossils. Since the cave remains approximately 50 degrees all year long, a light jacket or sweater is recommended. During peak season (June through September), the caverns are open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. During off-peak seasons, they are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission: $18 (adults), $8 (kids ages 6-12); kids under 6 are free.
The Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (NCC)
The NCC is a not-for-profit corporation committed to the conservation, study, management, and acquisition of caves and karst areas having significant geological, hydrological, biological, recreational, historical or aesthetic features.
The NCC owns these upstate caves: Clarksville Cave, Knox Cave, Onesquethaw Cave, Merlins Cave, Ella Armstrong Cave, Bentley’s Cave, Benson’s Cave and the Sellecks Karst Preserve. Visit www.necaveconservancy.org for more information about these caves and the access arrangements or special instructions about access.
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