Laurel Caverns, is the largest cave in Pennsylvania by volume and area. Split into two sections, its entrance into the upper cavern is a network of interconnecting grid-like passages, while its unlit lower cavern, known as its branch-work, consists of subterranean watercourses into a dendritic system of passages. Laurel Caverns features an array of speleological and pseudokarsts formations. Its average temperature is 52°F (11° C). Located in Farmington, Pennsylvania, it sits on Chestnut Ridge near Uniontown, about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Pittsburgh.To visit Laurel Caverns on your trip to Farmington, use our Farmington trip website.
It is a privately owned show cave founded in 1968. Before this, it was an unregulated wild cave known by locals and word of mouth. Since its founding, the upper cave has had its rocky floor filled by sand from within the cave lending safeness to its tours along with the addition of lighting.
The steep slope of some passageways on this tour causes an optical illusion known as a gravity hill. The illusion of a ball rolling uphill is an illustration of this effect and a mainstay for the business' one-hour guided family tour of the network.
The business's specialty is a three-hour tour of its lower branchwork which is unlit. Here the terrain is unaltered as the tour requires a proper helmet and lighting, along with climbing and crawling over breakdown piles and other obstructions to see some of the caverns' most spacious chambers and chasmal courses.
Its location sits surrounded by Pennsylvania gamelands and doesn't interfere with designated hunting seasons of the region. As a popular destination for school field trips, it upholds a strict no firearms policy and serves as a wildlife viewing locale during operations to tourists. The business also features other accommodations such as a gift shop, mini-golf course, panning for gemstones, and fossils activities.
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Laurel Caverns reviews
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We were able to fit this in on our quick day trip from Pittsburg, we have visited other cave and caverns as we have traveled in the US so we always look forward to another one and to see how they are.... more »
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My wife and I did this for our anniversary last year and it was awesome. We did everything that Laurel Caverns had to offer including the putt putt through the caverns, cave exploring, and the tour... more »
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Laurel cavers is a great experience, and I definitely plan on going back for a more in depth tour. The regular group tour is fun, educational, and perfect for children and some elderly, but they have several for anyone different tours to take. The tour guide was friendly and sociable. The tour its self is unique to others I have gone to since its a much different type of caverns than that of Seneca Caverns and Smoke Hole Caverns, but you'll have to go find out why. They have a small gift shop that has plenty of trinkets and apparel you can get to help fund them since they do not get aid from the government. I found one of my favorite necklaces there. They also have a small area where you can purchase a bag dirt with either fossils, gems and such to pan it out to see what precious items you can take home with you. It's great for kids and definitely made me relive some childhood memories. I cant wait to go back and plan to have a little picnic since they have several picnic areas outside. Of course, it is a bit of a drive to get there, but it is very enjoyable.
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Amazing place to take the kids. Let them find fossils in the limestone. The guides have been there for years. We had a blast and the tour was never boring. While the PA Forestry Dept. seems to be closing a lot of caves this one is privately owned and they try unique methods to work with the local wildlife that hibernate there and call it home. Definitely will return there!
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