Smoke Hole Caverns facts for kids
Smoke Hole Caverns (often called SHC) is a beautiful show cave located in Grant County, West Virginia. A show cave is a cave that has been made safe and easy for visitors to explore. It's a great place to see amazing natural rock formations!
The caverns first opened their doors to the public on May 30, 1940. They are named after the nearby Smoke Hole Canyon. You can find them along WV 28, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) west of Petersburg.
Long ago, people say the cave was used as a secret hiding spot. Its single entrance and fresh water made it a safe place for hidden activities. Today, Smoke Hole Caverns is owned and operated by Jerry and Janet Hedrick.
Discovering Smoke Hole Caverns
Smoke Hole Caverns is famous for several unique features. It has something called "The World's Largest Ribbon Stalactite." A stalactite is a rock formation that hangs down from the ceiling of a cave, like an icicle.
Unique Cave Formations
The caverns also have unusual helictites. These are special cave formations that twist and turn in different directions, almost defying gravity! Another rare sight is a crystal cave coral pool. This type of pool is found in only one other cavern in the entire world, making it very special.
High Ceilings and Adaptations
Smoke Hole Caverns also boasts the second highest ceiling of any cavern in the eastern United States. To make the cave easy for visitors, some changes have been made. There are concrete walkways to help people move around safely. However, some of these changes, like certain lighting, have unfortunately caused damage to the delicate stalactites and stalagmites over time.
