Current River Cavern

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Current River Cavern, known by some as "Cave Spring" or "Onyx Cavern," is an exceptionally well decorated cave with a wide variety of natural cave formations. A year-round stream flows through the tour passage beneath the boardwalk, and a small waterfall can be seen flowing from a tiny side passage after heavy rains. It is the longest mapped cave in Carter County, Missouri, with approximately 1/2 mile of mapped passage. The temperature inside the cave is a cool 58°F year round, very nice on a hot summer day. The tour passage goes as deep as 40 feet under ground (at the level of the boardwalk) before returning to the surface.

Current River Cavern is the first commercial cave with absolutely no wires for lighting. We use remote controlled, battery powered LED lights that give off a restricted light spectrum that does not disturb the cave life or promote algae growth (which can damage formations), nor do they disturb the cave environment with excessive heat.

Tours of Current River Cavern cost $10 per person and are given all day during our hours of operation. Groups of 15 or more people qualify for a $2 per person discount. The last tour starts at 5:30 PM. The tour includes a walk through of and commentary on the cave itself, as well as a guided tour of the museum and a brief walk through and commentary on the history of the cave and surrounding grounds. The tour lasts about 30 minutes, but we can be flexible if you want to look around, take pictures, or if you have questions. There is a flat boardwalk that covers most of the tour section, with two gaps where you walk on bare cave floor. The tour ends with a climb up 36 steps, approximately 28 vertical feet, to the exit building. If you think you might have trouble climbing the stairs, let us know and we'll take you back out the front.

The cave is lighted with remote-controlled LED lights, but flashlights will be available to borrow in the gift shop so you can look around at places our lights may not cover. We provide complimentary helmets at the start of the tour. You are free to keep your helmet if you want a souvenir, or return it if you like. You can bring your helmet back on a return visit for $1 off your cave tour. We do allow photography inside the cave, so bring your camera!

For groups of 20 or more please give us a call or place a reservation online. For groups of less than 20 simply show up! We'll be ready for you.

Click here to request a tour reservation online.