Plan your visit to grand caverns
What to Bring
Feel free to bring a camera; however, we ask that you please refrain from using tripods or delaying your tour group when taking photos.
What to Wear
Please dress appropriately for your maximum comfort during your tour. Comfortable shoes and a lightweight jacket are recommended. The temperature in the caverns is 54°F year round.
Know Before You Go
- The cavern tour consists of approximately one mile of walking at a leisurely pace. Since there are several stairs, anyone who may have difficulty walking, breathing, or navigating stairs should inquire before purchasing tickets.
- Cavern tours provide fun and educational activities for the entire family. Since there are no restrooms in the cavern, please use the above ground facilities before your 70-minute tour.
- Due to the natural environment of the cave, wheelchairs and strollers are not permitted in the cave.
- To protect the cave environment, food and beverages are not allowed in the cave. Also touching of rocks or formations is prohibited and protected by Virginia law. The oils on your skin may stop the growth of formations and we want to preserve this natural wonder for future generations.
Hours
The hours below are a reflection of the Stong Lodge Welcome Center and gift shop. Tour times fluctuate seasonally. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Jan 1 - March 31
Daily: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed: January 1 New Year's Day
Open: Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President's Day
April 1 - October 31
Daily: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Open: Easter, Memorial Day, June 19 Juneteenth, July 4 Independence Day, Labor Day, and Indigenous People's Day
November 1 - Decmber 31
Daily: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open: Election Day, Veterans Day
Closed: Thanksgiving, December 24 Christmas Eve, December 25 Christmas Day
know before you go
directions
Address
-
5 Grand Caverns Drive
Grottoes, Virginia 24441
Contact Us
- (888) 430-CAVE (2283)
- info@grandcaverns.com
Hours
- Jan 1 - March 31 Daily 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- April 1 - October 31 Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Nov 1 - Dec 31 Daily 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- See our full schedule here
park experience
Welcome! Explore our river-side walking paths, high elevation hiking trails, natural playground, and other park amenities.
Hiking in a 100 acre park
Grand Caverns Walking Tours
Adventure Spelunking
Explore Premier tours at Grand Caverns
Geology Tours
On a geology tour you will learn about unique speleothems, crystals, minerals, and the geologic timescales of Grand Caverns. On this tour you will hear about the exciting research conducted in Cave Hill.
History Tours
Grand Caverns is the longest continuously operating show cave in the United States, having opened in 1806. It is a point of international tourism, endured the Civil War, and has a unique luminary design. On this tour, your experience Grand Caverns by candlelight. The history tours are recommended for adults, last for two hours, and are offered every Friday.
walking tours
Cavern tours provide fun and educational activities for the entire family ages 3 and up. Walking tours are offered daily and last for 70 minutes.
