Post by jonsdigs on Mar 14, 2007 11:33:02 GMT -5
Caves of Pennsylvania
By:Destinations, Destinations
03/14/2007
The dark underbelly of Pennsylvania awaits exploration and discovery by all ages in the nine tourist caves spread across the southern half of the state, including two in our region: Crystal Cave near Kutztown and Lost River Caverns at Hellertown.
While allowing visitors to bypass the rigors and dangers of unguided spelunking, each of the nine also offers its own special glimpse into the underworld, from huge carved-out rooms to delicate crystal formations to fossils to Indian relics.
Crystal Cave, the most heavily visited cave in Pennsylvania, is packed with widely varied formations like stalactites, cave bacon and flowstone. Other facilities at the site include souvenir/gift shop, rock shop, fast-food restaurant, mini-golf, gemstone panning museum, nature trail and picnic grove.
As the name implies, a river of undetermined origin and endpoint flows beneath the rooms and passageways of Lost River Caverns, just beneath concrete boardwalks at several spots. Other features of the site are a rock and mineral museum, souvenir/gift shop, lapidary and jewelry supply shops, gemstone panning indoor tropical garden, nature trail and picnic grove.
Indian Echo Caverns at Hummelstown showcases many exceptional cave formations as well as much human legend, lore and mystery associated with the caves. Associated features include a gift shop, picnic grove, food cart, playground and panning for gemstones.
Penn's Cave at Centre Hall is the only all-water cavern in America. A one-mile, guided motorboat tour takes visitors through the cave onto Lake Nitanee on the other side.
Associated features include a drive-through wildlife sanctuary, gift and antique shops, snack bar, picnic grove, and gemstone panning.
Woodward Cave at Woodward, also known as "The Big One," is the largest live cavern, featuring formations like the largest stalagmite in the state and other features like a large winter bat population. Associated features include a campground, rental cottages and snack bar.
Indian Caverns in Spruce Creek, incorporates much Native American history, including more than 400 Indian relics and a tablet of picture writing, and latter day lore with its cave formations. Associated features include a picnic grove and a gift shop.
Magnificent formations abound in Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks near Huntingdon. Cave conservation and education are emphasized in the tours. Associated features include that area's largest gift shop, nature trails, a campground, snack bar and picnic grove.
Having been carved in sandstone rather than limestone, Laurel Caverns has none of the cave formations of the other eight. It does, however, have enormous rooms, challenging passageways and the availability of self-guide spelunking adventures. Associated features include cave golf, rappelling wall, snack bar, gift shop, picnic grove and a spectacular seven-county view.
In addition to stalactites, stalagmites and other cave formations, Coral Caverns at Manns Choice is packed with the fossils of an ancient seabed. A small gift/souvenir shop stands at the mouth of the cave.
Full Article
By:Destinations, Destinations
03/14/2007
The dark underbelly of Pennsylvania awaits exploration and discovery by all ages in the nine tourist caves spread across the southern half of the state, including two in our region: Crystal Cave near Kutztown and Lost River Caverns at Hellertown.
While allowing visitors to bypass the rigors and dangers of unguided spelunking, each of the nine also offers its own special glimpse into the underworld, from huge carved-out rooms to delicate crystal formations to fossils to Indian relics.
Crystal Cave, the most heavily visited cave in Pennsylvania, is packed with widely varied formations like stalactites, cave bacon and flowstone. Other facilities at the site include souvenir/gift shop, rock shop, fast-food restaurant, mini-golf, gemstone panning museum, nature trail and picnic grove.
As the name implies, a river of undetermined origin and endpoint flows beneath the rooms and passageways of Lost River Caverns, just beneath concrete boardwalks at several spots. Other features of the site are a rock and mineral museum, souvenir/gift shop, lapidary and jewelry supply shops, gemstone panning indoor tropical garden, nature trail and picnic grove.
Indian Echo Caverns at Hummelstown showcases many exceptional cave formations as well as much human legend, lore and mystery associated with the caves. Associated features include a gift shop, picnic grove, food cart, playground and panning for gemstones.
Penn's Cave at Centre Hall is the only all-water cavern in America. A one-mile, guided motorboat tour takes visitors through the cave onto Lake Nitanee on the other side.
Associated features include a drive-through wildlife sanctuary, gift and antique shops, snack bar, picnic grove, and gemstone panning.
Woodward Cave at Woodward, also known as "The Big One," is the largest live cavern, featuring formations like the largest stalagmite in the state and other features like a large winter bat population. Associated features include a campground, rental cottages and snack bar.
Indian Caverns in Spruce Creek, incorporates much Native American history, including more than 400 Indian relics and a tablet of picture writing, and latter day lore with its cave formations. Associated features include a picnic grove and a gift shop.
Magnificent formations abound in Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks near Huntingdon. Cave conservation and education are emphasized in the tours. Associated features include that area's largest gift shop, nature trails, a campground, snack bar and picnic grove.
Having been carved in sandstone rather than limestone, Laurel Caverns has none of the cave formations of the other eight. It does, however, have enormous rooms, challenging passageways and the availability of self-guide spelunking adventures. Associated features include cave golf, rappelling wall, snack bar, gift shop, picnic grove and a spectacular seven-county view.
In addition to stalactites, stalagmites and other cave formations, Coral Caverns at Manns Choice is packed with the fossils of an ancient seabed. A small gift/souvenir shop stands at the mouth of the cave.
Full Article