Shenandoah Caverns

No matter your age or physical ability, you can visit Shenandoah Caverns’ incredible underground caves more than 220 feet below the earth. Shenandoah Caverns’ gradual slopes and elevator service allows visitors to visit 17 rooms of exquisite National Geographic-featured mineral formations, stalactites and stalagmites, and calcite crystals.

Colorful lighting beautifully displays the unique features of each room, and a personal guide explains the history and geographical background of the caverns’ 1.5 underground walk. Although the caverns have many inclines, low overhanging formations, ramps have been installed throughout the caverns, helping make more than 75% of the site wheelchair accessible.

The caverns look as they did when two young boys found an opening to them in 1884. An hour-long guided tour guests on level crushed gravel pathways through 17 rooms including “Breakfast Bacon”, the Grotto of the Gods, the sparkling calcite crystals of Diamond Cascade, and the Cardross Castle, and Whirlpool Room. Although there are eight naturally-occurring openings in the caverns that allow fresh air to circulate, many visitors suggest that guests bring a light rainproof jacket and wear sneakers for the constant 52 degree temperature underground.

Three Additional Attractions – A visit to the Shenandoah Caverns includes three other family attractions — Main Street of Yesteryear’s animated window displays, American Celebration on Parade’s real parade floats from the Thanksgiving Day and Rose Bowl parades, and The Yellow Barn, a hall of restored antique farm wagons, an indoor live beehive, and a Virginia Wine Shop.

Main Street of Yesteryear – Main Street of Yesteryear is a display of antique department store windows from the 1940s-1950s with over 100 animated figurines, including many original displays from over half a century ago. Visitors can wind their way down Main Street to see windows filled with the fully restored displays.

American Celebration on Parade: Pirates and More! – American Celebration on Parade houses 27 massive full-size parade floats including its newest Disney “Pirates of the Caribbean” ship float used in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to 100 props from Presidential Inaugurals, the exhibit also features floats from The Tournament of Roses, and other national celebrations.

Shenandoah Caverns owner Earl Hargrove Jr. began building parade floats in 1949 for President Truman’s inauguration. Since then, the family has created floats for Rose Parades, Miss America Pageant Parades, Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parades, and many others. American Celebration allows visitors to experience the floats up close where they pose in front of the floats for memorable family photos.

After viewing the parade floats, visitors can visit the gift shop where they can visit the Liberty Clock Shop, the Virginia Wine Shop, the Bearington Bears Shop, and the Sweet Celebration Candy Shoppe where you can create your own “Pucker Powder” candy art.

The Yellow Barn – The Yellow Barn is the caverns’ newest attraction featuring restored antique farm wagons, equipment, carriages and vehicles, including a 35-foot-tall tree house that is home to a family of five-foot-tall squirrels. The tree house was part of the “Fantasy Award” winning float in the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade and helps define a special children’s activity area in the Barn. The Yellow Barn also offers events like concerts and wine festivals and has featured such names as Tommy Cash, T. Graham Brown, and Nadine from Larry’s Country Diner, and Ben “Cooter” Jones.