Dig Deeper to Find Pennsylvania's Treasures

You don’t have to dig too deep to recall the rare natural features that set Pennsylvania apart—but you may need to go deep underground. At Lincoln Caverns & Whisper Rocks near Huntingdon and Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park near State College, even inexperienced spelunkers can appreciate the wonder of Pennsylvania’s natural limestone caves without compromising safety or spectacular otherworldly views of underground realms.

At Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks, every day of the week all summer long visitors can choose to participate in an interpretive tour of two crystal caverns, where water-formed cave structures—including exquisite crystals, stalactites, and flowstones—are on full display. Above ground, adventurers can pan for actual gems in an authentic prospector’s sluice, go for a hike along one of the nearby nature trails, or plan an idyllic picnic under a covered pavilion on the premises.  As if the caverns weren’t striking enough under normal conditions, every Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. visitors can tour the caves by blacklight and witness the caves’ phosphorescent beauty firsthand, and as well as get a fascinating introduction to the study of caves. Please note that the caverns are generally 52 degrees, and a light jacket, as well as thick rubber-soled shoes, are recommended. Lincoln Cavern Tours are available for individuals or can be reserved for groups wanting exclusive access to the caves.

Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park, as America’s only all-water cavern and farm-nature-wildlife park, combines many standout experiences into one trip and two guided tours. The 45-minute tour of Penn’s Cave, given from a flat-bottom motorboat as it winds through lamplit caverns and passageways, grants surreal views of familiar shapes (such as the Statue of Liberty) crafted entirely by the force of dripping water over countless years. The 90-minute bus tour of the Wildlife Park allows visitors to sight farm animals, many varieties of native North-American animals (including bison, silver foxes, mustangs, timber wolves, and mountain lion cubs), and several species of butterflies who reside in Penn Cave’s 1600 protected acres. Be sure to buy your Penns Cave tickets in advance to ensure availability during busy summer months.