Meramec Caverns

If you're willing to drive a little ways from St. Louis, you are in for a real treat at Meramec Caverns. Just follow I-44 south, and watch for the billboards. You can't really miss Stanton if you are seeing all the signs along I-44 for Meramec Caverns. If you want a longer stay there, they have campsites right outside the caves, and a motel on site. This cave is a must for all cave explorers. It's a little chilly year round inside the caves so a light jacket or sweatshirt is something I would pack in advance. If you don't, the gift shop in front does have a nice selection of hoodies and sweatshirts. Meramec Caverns offers a 90 minute walking tour of the caves. There are no strollers or wheelchairs allowed on the tour. Small children will have to be carried, but it is a long tour, so remember that if you plant to carry a child through the caves. The begining of the tour focuses a little on the fact that Meramec Caverns was once used as a hideout for the James gang. But, the rest of the tour is all about the cave as Jesse and his band didn't venture too far into the cave. It was interesting to learn that parts of this cavern are still growing even today. You will not be allowed to touch any of the cave walls through this tour to protect the cave. It really isn't a problem because they have a concrete walkway all the way through the cave and handrails along most of it. Towards the end of the tour, a seat and light show on the cavern wall is a welcome pleasure. There is also a long climb up a flight of steps to see the largest "wine table" feature of any cave on the planet. This part is optional if the steps are a problem. Parts of the floor are contsantly wet, so a good pair of tennis shoes or walking shoes is recommended. There is a river running through this cavern that supplies the constant wetness, and sometimes floods. I wouldn't worry about checking the water level before taking the tour as the tour guide told us that parts of the cave are always open for touring even during high water conditions. They even had tours running when their parking lot was under water. Outside of the cave there is an optional riverboat ride along the Meramec River. There are also little activities for children and adults such as panning for gold and digging up treasures. All in all this is about an hour and a half drive from St. Louis that is well worth the side trip.