10 Amazing Caves in Ohio (From Popular Spots to Hidden Treasures)

There are plenty of things to do in Ohio. Nothing beats riding the coasters at Cedar Point in the summer. You can learn a ton at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Music lovers always enjoy an afternoon at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

If you’re looking for an exciting outdoor adventure, consider the many caves that this state has to offer! Tourists and even locals are unaware of Ohio’s wonderful and many caverns.

A large number of these were naturally created over hundreds of years by wind and erosion from moving water. We’ve done the research and found the 10 most stunning and unique caves in all of Ohio. 

Whether you’ve lived here your entire life or you’re visiting for the first time, these are a must-see! Continue reading to find out more about these amazing natural feats! 

1. Saltpetre Cave

A small park in Hocking County called Saltpetre Cave State Nature Park has a lot of beautiful characteristics. Despite being merely 14 acres, it has four noteworthy recess caves. 

A couple of the caves have over 100-foot-wide mouths, and corridors that reach over 120 feet deep into bedrock. Around the caverns, hemlock, birch, and tulip trees flourish. The panorama of the meadow below is breathtaking.

Three recess caves are vertically inside of another cave. The last cave features a sizable chamber and two lesser entries. A permit from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is necessary in order to enter Saltpetre Cave State Nature Preserve.

2. Mary Campbell Cave

Tourists and locals will find Mary Campbell Cave in Gorge Park, Cuyahoga Falls, in Akron, OH. The neighboring Cuyahoga River is the source of Mary Campbell Cave, an erosional cave. 

The Sharon Formation sandstone that makes up the cliff face has an additional layer of the considerably lighter Meadville Formation shale. Unfortunately, the water’s movement destroyed this soft layer, resulting in a massive cave with a sandstone canopy.  

The cave has a 66-foot-high ceiling, is approximately 132 feet wide, and is 50 feet deep. The Cuyahoga River canyon in Canyon Park is traversed by the Gorge Trail, a trail that leads to the cave. The Summit County Metroparks are in charge of managing the gorge and the cave.

3. Old Man’s Cave

The most popular Hocking cavern is Old Man’s Cave, which you can find on State Route 664. Richard Rowe, a recluse who resided in the huge recess cave of the gorge gave Old Man’s Cave its current title. 

There are five main portions that make up the Old Man’s Cave region, which is located in the Old Man’s Creek Valley.  The spectacular gorge traverses a full 150-foot thickness of the Blackhand sandstone over the trail’s entirety.  

The gorge, which the torrent carved, offers a view into the earth’s interior for tourists. It measures a little over a half mile in length. If you enjoy hiking, the Grandma Gatewood Trail, a six-mile circuit that travels via Cedar Falls and Ash Cave, can be used to extend your exploration from Old Man’s Cave. 

With nearby cabins and a campground, the region is ideal for a long family vacation. At the primary recess cave, Rowe is rumored to be buried beneath a ledge.

4. Seneca Caverns

One of the largest subterranean caverns in the vicinity and an intriguing geological marvel of the United States is Seneca Caverns in Bellevue, Ohio. It is one of Ohio’s and the United States’ most distinctive natural wonders. 

Seneca Caverns, which were founded in 1872 and given public excursions by the Bell family in 1933, received the official designation of Registered Natural Landmark in 1997. The guided trip lasts for an hour and includes scaling and walking up natural stone staircases and walkways. 

The tour will take visitors as deep as the water table’s underground river. Tourists can witness the exceptionally clear Ole Mist’ry River at the lowest point of the tour, which can reach a depth of 110 feet. 

While here, you will also see fossils, ancient writings, and soda straw stalactite formations along the journey. State Routes 18 and 269 connect Seneca Caverns, which is four miles south of Bellevue. 

One of the most thrilling outdoor excursions you’ll ever have is waiting for you here!

5. Ohio Caverns

With more than two miles of passageways, these are among the biggest caves in Ohio. Stalactites and stalagmites, as well as other formations and hues, can be seen in the caverns.

One of the largest stalactites in the entire world is in one of the caverns, appropriately dubbed Crystal King’s Cave. It weighs about 400 pounds, is five feet long, and is thought to be over 200,000 years old!

The caves are open all year round and one can explore these caves with a guide. The temperature within these Ohio caves never rises above 54 degrees Fahrenheit, no matter how bad the weather outside may be.

6. Rock House

Being the only authentic cave in the park, Rock House is special to the Hocking Hills area. It is a 150-foot-high sandstone cliff that is halfway up a tunnel-like passage. The primary passageway is 200 feet long, with a ceiling height of 25 feet.

The hollowing of the passageway was brought about by water seeping through a horizontal seam parallel to the rock face. The historic Rock House remains a favorite destination for tourists. 

A 16-room hotel, horse stable, and post office were built in 1835 by Colonel F.F. Rempel of Logan. The rock’s surface contains numerous dated engravings that attest to the area’s centuries-old appeal.  

7. Crystal Cave

You can find Crystal Cave in Put-In-Bay, OH. This is the perfect adults-only adventure, thanks to the cave being located in a winery! The cave was a significant find made in 1897 by workers building a well for the Winery. 

They stumbled across the Crystal Cave by mistake. The cave was initially utilized to gather crystals that were sold for use in making fireworks. The cave’s present size resulted from harvesting crystals. 

It contains stunning celestine crystals that are up to three feet wide and is home to the biggest geode in the world as a whole. Strontium sulfate, a blue mineral known as celestite, coats the walls. These crystals can reach lengths of up to 18 inches.

8. Perry’s Cave

Another option in Put-In-Bay, OH is Perry’s Cave! This is a great choice for groups traveling with children. The mysticism in this cave is palpable!  Perry’s cave, which lies 52 feet underground, wasn’t found until 1813. 

It was discovered by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the unsung hero, and commander of the Battle of Lake Erie.  His men had a dire need for water during the War of 1812. This is when they discovered a unique freshwater underground lake at Perry’s Cave.

This lake beneath the earth is really fascinating. Nobody is sure how they are related, but it fluctuates with the Lake Erie tides. This water was also used by the notorious Victory Hotel, which burned to the ground in 1919.

9. Ash Cave

The last cave from Hocking Hills that we’ll be covering is Ash Cave. Arguably the most amazing aspect of Hocking Hills State Park is Ash Cave. It’s the largest recess cavern east of the Mississippi.  

Its name comes from the significant amount of ash that early inhabitants found inside the cave. Although no one is certain where the ashes originated, a lot of people think that Native Americans once used the underground space as their refuge hundreds of years ago. 

Ash Cave is about 100 feet deep and has a 700-foot-wide opening.  A magnificent waterfall that cascades over the nook is located in the middle of it.  We advise visiting in the springtime when the snow begins to melt if you want to take in the cascade. You may also see the vibrant wildflowers that cover the surrounding woodlands. 

10. Olentangy Caverns

Another great option that is fun for the whole family is Olentangy Caverns. You’ll find this scenic spot in Delaware County, OH. The Olentangy Caverns, which have a labyrinth of magnificent twisting corridors and roomy underground chambers were created millions of years ago by the powerful force of a subterranean river slicing through strong limestone rock. 

The Wyandot tribe is known to have utilized these caves as a refuge from the elements and their adversaries, the Delaware tribe. Anyone is able to visit this amazing geological phenomenon from the museum above the entryway. 

To reach the labyrinth of areas and natural passageways across three levels, concrete stairs plummet 55 feet. 

Summary of the 10 Amazing Caves in Ohio