Our recent adventure took us beyond central Columbus to explore the Ohio Caverns! Similar to the Olentangy Caverns, this network of tunnels is a geological marvel located in Ohio. The Ohio Caverns in West Liberty are renowned as the most colorful caverns in America, thanks to the rust and lime formations. Some of the rust formations even have crystals hanging off them, which is incredibly rare!

After driving through the hills of West Liberty, reaching the Ohio Caverns felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem in someone’s backyard. As it turns out, the Ohio Cavern was first discovered by a young farmhand when a sinkhole appeared on the property. They excavated the sinkhole and uncovered a vast network of underground tunnels and caverns. Years later, tours began, along with efforts to preserve the cavern in its pristine condition. During the natural wonder tour, visitors can witness the impact humans can have on the caverns and understand why it’s crucial to maintain their original state.

Upon arrival, visitors can head to the visitor center to book a tour of the caverns. There are a couple of options available, including historical and natural wonder tours. The historical tour takes you through the sinkhole’s initial discovery and along the original explored passage, while the natural wonder tour focuses on crystal and rock formations in other parts of the cavern. Each tour lasts about an hour, and visitors have the option to do both tours back-to-back.

On this visit, we opted for the natural wonder tour and saved the historical tour for another time. After browsing the gift shop, we met up with the tour guide and began our underground journey. The tour guide entertained us with rock puns, dad jokes, and a wealth of information. The cavern maintains a cool temperature of 56 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, making it accessible even in winter.

Inside the caverns, the walk is mostly straightforward, with occasional spots to duck under and narrow walkways, but nothing too hazardous. However, strollers and wheelchairs are not suitable for these tunnels. At the deepest point, visitors find themselves 130 feet underground, but there are no stairs until exiting the tunnel itself.