Ozark Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ozark Caverns |
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Visitor Center
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| Length | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Entrances | 1 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Access | Public |
| Show cave length | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) |
| Lighting | None |
| Features | Angel Showers |
Ozark Caverns is a cool cave found inside Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Missouri. It's one of many "wild" caves in the area. However, Ozark Caverns is special because it's one of only three "tamed" caves that people can visit. The other two are Bridal Cave and Jacob's Cave. This cave is easy to walk through and is even friendly for wheelchairs.
A Look at the Cave's Past
People first explored Ozark Caverns in the late 1880s. The cave started to become a tourist spot in the 1930s. This was around the time Lake of the Ozarks was created. Developers added concrete paths and wooden bridges for visitors. They also put in lights to make it easy to see.
The state of Missouri bought Ozark Caverns in 1979. After that, the lights inside the cave were removed. Sadly, a bat disease called white-nose syndrome caused many bats to disappear from the cave.
How the Cave Was Made
A small stream flows through a lot of Ozark Caverns. This water helps shape the cave. The cave is famous for a unique rock formation called "Angel Showers." It looks like many tiny waterfalls coming from the ceiling. The water then lands in a calcite "tub" shape. Only fourteen of these amazing formations are known to exist in the world! You can also see old claw marks on some of the cave walls.
Visiting the Cave
Ozark Caverns is open for everyone to explore. Tours happen every day during the open season. The cave closes from September to May each year. Since the lights were taken out, visitors use small, handheld lanterns to see. The tour is about 0.5 miles long, going in and out. To help protect the bats from white-nose syndrome, you must put all your personal items in bags or leave them outside.
