Posted on 07/10/2023 2:55:30 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Marvel Cave is the deepest cave in Missouri.
The deepest cave in Missouri, which sprawls over 500 feet below the surface of the Earth, was first discovered by the Osage Nation in the 1500s. Not long after, Spanish explorers in search of riches and the fountain of youth made the journey into the cave and returned empty-handed.
The fountain of youth has yet to be found, but riches — albeit from an unexpected source — were discovered by miners in the 1800s. They came to the cave, which was later named Marvel Cave, in search of marble and iron. But instead of precious rocks and metals, they found bat guano — commonly known as bat droppings. At the time, the excrements could be sold for fertilizer and ammunition for $700 a ton (that’s more than $20,000 today), according to Mindy Bianca Public Relations, which handles press for the destination.
The unlikely source of wealth is still present in the cave today, but the estimated 70,000 bats — and their feces — are no longer the main attraction. Hot air balloons have floated aloft inside the cave’s cavern and square dances have taken place in its temperate 60-degree climate. And by 1960, the mining-site-turned-tourist-destination became the centerpiece of Silver Dollar City, a theme park in Branson, Missouri.
The 1880s-themed park has all the attractions you’d expect from a park that was named the No. 1 amusement and water park in the U.S. by Tripadvisor in 2023. There are 30 rides and attractions, 40 live daily shows, 13 acres of waterslides and waves, and a scenic lake cruise with dinner and entertainment. And while there is more than enough to do above ground, the heart of the park remains 500 feet below ground.
Visitors looking at a waterfall inside Marvel Cave in Missouri COURTESY OF SILVER DOLLAR CITY The journey under the Earth begins with a dramatic 300-foot descent to the 20-story-tall Cathedral Room — the largest cave entry room in the U.S. Along the way, visitors pass a 40-foot-high underground waterfall and rock formations set nearly 500 feet below the Earth’s surface. (These rock formations are alive and still growing.)
Hidden among the wet limestone cave’s darkest nooks are the endangered blind cave salamander and the bats that made the miners rich in the 1800s. Both creatures are rarely seen by visitors, yet remain an important part of the cave’s story and ecosystem.
The return to daylight, which is a 1,070-foot-climb from the cave’s depths, is aided by a cable train.
Tours of Marvel Cave take place daily, weather permitting, and are included with a ticket to Silver Dollar City. Even so, Mindy Bianca Public Relations notes that only 200,000 to 300,000 of Silver Dollar City’s two million annual visitors — that's between 10 to 15 percent — actually visit the cave.
In addition to fewer people and comfortable temperatures, the team notes that those willing to wait until the end of the day can join the Lantern Light Tour, where visitors can experience what it was like for the miners who descended into the vast darkness aided only by the light of lanterns.
Marvel Cave and Silver Dollar City are located just west of Branson in the Ozark Mountains.
An AD????
Wow! Sounds like an amazing place!
Wow, that’s a big cave.
That's what they claimed. The fact that they returned last week isn't suspicious at all, oh heck no...
Southern Missouri is lousy with caves.
I’ve been there several times. Branson is a typical tourist town with plenty of entertainment and restaurants. Silver Dollar City (locals call it steal-yer-dollar-city) can be worth seeing one time if it’s your cup of tea. The cave is spectacular. On a hot summer day, it is the only place livable in SDC, which is located in a windless valley with high temperatures. But the cave is pretty cool and enjoyable.
I have been to Meramec and Onondaga, but not to Marvel, and had forgotten about it. If I get down that way again, I might just pay a visit.
There are caves in Kansas used for storage that semis can drive into for unloading.
Bucket list just got bigger.
A certain presidential candidate...
I’ve got 12 pcs. of chicken on my bucket list.
Yes. Very cool place. Been through it many times.
It is. Went there with my family last year. We liked it so much we are going back this year.
Branson, overall, is a great vacation. Very family friendly, lots to see and do. We packed in a week of museums, sites, and amusement parks during the day and dinner shows or shows every evening with 2 hotel rooms (one for my husband and I, one for our sons) and the entire trip cost less than $4K. A steal.
My family loves exploring caves. The best, by far, is Carlsbad. Cumberland Caverns in Tennessee is pretty memorable. Natural Bridge Cavern in San Antonio and Hidden Lake Cavern in Kentucky are also worth checking out.
This is the last year for Fire in the Hole ride at Silver Dollar City
Extra crispy or original recipe.
Thank you for the info, Bob!
Thank you for all the info! Have fun on your return trip this year!
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