Buckner Cave facts for kids

Buckner Cave is a cool natural spot found in Monroe County, Indiana, near Bloomington. It's located in an area with unique karst landforms, which means the ground is made of rock that water can easily dissolve, creating caves and sinkholes. This cave has about 3 miles of tunnels and rooms that explorers know about.

The Richard Blenz Nature Conservancy (RBNC) takes care of Buckner Cave. It's on private land, so you need permission to visit. Over the years, some people have left trash and drawings inside the cave. But don't worry! There's a big effort going on to clean it up and bring it back to its natural, beautiful state.

A Glimpse into the Past

Did you know people have been visiting Buckner Cave for a long time? Some explorers have found an old signature hidden among the newer drawings. It says "L. V. Cushing" and "Nov. 23, 1775." This shows that people were exploring the cave even way back then!

Exploring Buckner Cave's Passages

The entrance to Buckner Cave is shaped like an oval. It's about 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. This opening gently slopes down for about 50 feet. Then, it opens up into a really big room!

To get deeper into the cave, you'll find a small hole. This leads to a part where you'll need to crawl on your belly for about 600 feet. After that, you reach another large cavern. From here, the cave splits into many different paths. Some areas used to have flowing water, and others still do.

Most of the big rooms and tunnels were carved out by water over many, many years. They generally feel very safe. However, some smaller side tunnels and offshoots go under piles of large rocks. A big part of the cave follows a shallow stream that's usually only a couple of feet deep. You might even spot small bats flying around inside the cave!

Even though some parts have been marked by people, Buckner Cave is a complex maze of tunnels and tight squeezes. It's a fascinating place to explore.

How Hard is it to Explore?

Buckner Cave is pretty easy to explore. You don't need special ropes or climbing gear. However, some parts of the cave have low ceilings. This means you'll need to use your hands and crawl on your belly to get through. The lower parts of the cave are also near a shallow stream, so your feet might get a little wet!

Planning Your Visit

If you're interested in visiting Buckner Cave, you need to get permission first. You should contact the RBNC at least one week before you plan to go.

Another way to visit is to become a member of the RBNC. Members help take care of the cave. They also get faster access to explore it. It's a great way to help protect this amazing natural wonder!