Lost World Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lost World Caverns |
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Stalagmite and stalactite formations.
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| Location | Lewisburg, West Virginia |
| Designated | 1973 |
Lost World Caverns is a cool underground cave system. It's found near Lewisburg, West Virginia. In 1973, these caverns were named a National Natural Landmark. This means they are a very special natural place! The caverns are famous for their amazing rock formations. You can see tall stalagmites, flowing rock formations called flowstone, and even underground waterfalls.
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Exploring Lost World Caverns
Lost World Caverns is a great place to visit. You can take a walking tour through a huge main chamber. This chamber is about 1,000 feet long, 300 feet wide, and 120 feet high! Inside, you'll see many incredible formations. Some have fun names like the Bridal Veil, Goliath, Snowy Chandelier, Ice Cream Wall, and Castle.
One of the most famous formations is the War Club. It's a giant stalagmite that stands 28 feet tall! A man named Bob Addis once sat on top of the War Club for almost 16 days. He did this to set a record for "Stalagmite Sitting"!
If you're feeling adventurous, you can also go on a guided "wild" tour. This tour takes you to more hidden parts of the cave. You might see places like Angel's Roost, the Birth Canal, and the Hall of the Mountain King.
What to Expect When You Visit
The cave is open every day, except for a few holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. When you visit, it's a good idea to wear shoes with good grip. The cave stays at a cool 52 degrees F, so dress warmly!
As of December 2021, tickets for the self-guided tour cost $12 for adults. Kids aged 6 to 12 pay $6, and children under 6 get in for free.
The History of the Caverns
The caverns were first known as "Grapevine Cave." The only way in was a deep hole. Farmers used to throw things like dead animals into it.
In 1942, students from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University explored the cave. They mapped it out in the 1960s. They found that the cave has more than a mile of connected tunnels. These tunnels go down 245 feet below the ground!
Amazing Discoveries
In 1967, scientists found the bones of a prehistoric cave bear inside the caverns. This bear lived a very long time ago!
In the early 1970s, a new entrance was dug. All the trash was removed, and walkways were built. This made it safe and easy for people to visit. Later, the gift shop was updated. The owners also worked hard to improve the lighting. They made sure the lights wouldn't cause too much algae to grow. They also added a fun dinosaur museum to the gift shop!
Fun and Unusual Stories
In 1992, a newspaper called Weekly World News wrote a strange story. They claimed that a creature called "Bat Boy" lived in Lost World Caverns. The story said the FBI captured him there!
In November 2021, a music group called Sloppy Jane recorded their entire album, Madison, inside the cavern! Imagine recording music in a cave!
How the Cave Works
Lost World Caverns helps us understand how water moves through the ground. The cave is surrounded by farms. This means air, water, and other things flow into the cave. The area around the cave has many sinkholes. There are about 18 sinkholes for every square kilometer!
The water from the cave eventually flows into the Greenbrier River. Scientists are still learning about how the water moves through the underground aquifers.
Protecting the Cave and Its Bats
When people go on the "wild" tour, they are asked to help protect the bats. There's a serious disease called white nose syndrome that harms bats. Visitors must clean their gear and clothes very carefully. This helps stop the spread of the disease to the bats living in the cave.
Photo gallery
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The building at Lost World Caverns
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Sign on front of building
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View inside large cavern chamber
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The "Snowy Chandelier" stalactite formation
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The "Bridal Veil" formation
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Stalagmite formation
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The "Ice Cream Wall" formation
See also
