Spelunking

Upper and Lower Spelunking Tour

Attention:

Effective April 27th 2009

In cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Service

and Pennsylvania Game Commission, and to protect

our healthy bat population from a condition affecting

bats in some caves to the east of us, called White Nose

Syndrome, we are temporarily suspending open

registration spelunking.

THIS POLICY DOES NOT AFFECT OUR

FAMILY GUIDED TOUR NOR OUR SCOUT PROGRAMS.

Update: The spelunking tours for 2010 will be limited to

Scout Groups and Youth Groups only. Thank you for

your understanding.

October 16th and 17th will be the last weekend for the

lower spelunking tour this year.

Please note: the activities on this page require a release form, which you will find below.

The age requirements for spelunking do not apply to the family tour.

*VERY IMPORTANT* Each caving participant must bring at least two good sources of light. Also, each must wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, and shoes with good tread and ankle support. Laurel Caverns will supply the hard hats. Each participant must also fill out and sign a release form. Links to the forms can be found below. The cave temperature is 52 degrees. Bring a change of clothing; this is a real caving trip, and you will get dirty.

Lower Caving Release Form

Upper Caving Release Form

Notice: both the upper and lower spelunking tours are staff assisted, which means that a staff member will accompany groups through the spelunking tour. There are no self guided tours at Laurel Caverns.

LOWER SPELUNKING (For ages 12 and up)

The staff assisted spelunking trip permits the visitor to see over two miles of cave covering both the undeveloped cave and the lighted portion. The trip takes about three hours. Most of the passages are between ten and forty feet high. It is suggested that children under twelve years of age take the Family Tour or the Upper Spelunking Tour and strongly suggested that the physically challenged carefully consider the strenuous and challenging nature of the cave. On this exploring adventure there is much climbing up and over rocks. Injuries can occur from this kind of climbing and participants must sign a release form. No one under the age of 12 is admitted.

Group Lower Spelunking

For groups of six or more with a scout or school group there are two trips, one at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM on any day Laurel Caverns is open. Confirmed advance arrangements and a $114.00 deposit are required. No one under the age of 12 is admitted. Participants must sign a release form.

Please click the button above for the lower caving release form.

To make a reservation please call 1-800-515-4150.

Lower Group Rate: $19.00 per person

UPPER SPELUNKING TOUR (for ages 9 and up)

RESERVATIONS ONLY

When you take the Upper Caving Tour you will see all of the developed parts of the cave. You will go through a labyrinth of unlit cave passages, which will include two of our largest rooms in the undeveloped area. It is required that children under nine(9) years of age take only the family tour and strongly suggested that the physically challenged carefully consider the strenuous and challenging nature of the cave. On this exploring adventure there is much climbing up and over rocks. Injuries can occur from this kind of climbing and participants must sign a release form. No one under the age of nine is permitted.

Participants must sign a release form. Please use the button above for the Upper Caving Release Form, and bring the entire form with you.

For groups of six or more with a scout or school group there are two trips, one at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM on any day Laurel Caverns is open.

To make a reservation please call 1-800-515-4150.

*VERY IMPORTANT* Each caving participant must bring at least two good sources of light. Also, each must wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, and shoes with good tread and ankle support. Hiking boots are the preferred footwear. Laurel Caverns will supply the hard hats. The cave temperature is 52 degrees. Bring a change of clothing; this is a real caving trip.

Upper Group Rate: $16.00 per person