Stark Caverns

At  Stark Caverns , our number one priority is the health and safety of our guests and employees. To do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, Stark Caverns will temporarily suspend all tours and activities beginning Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Please continue to follow us on social media at @starkcaverns and stay connected with us online. # SlowTheSpread   # SafetyFirst   # LakeOfTheOzarks   # StarkCaverns

Are you passionate about culture, nature, & history? Do you love interacting with those around you about the beauty and nature of Missouri? Put your talents to work at Stark Caverns! Our Operations Team is looking for dedicated, hard-working individuals to add to our growing team. Candidates should have a professional, clean appearance, excellent interpersonal skills, and be comfortable with store technology. The ideal candidate will enjoy working outdoors and educating oth ers about Stark Caverns as well as continuing their knowledge to be the best they can be. Candidates should also be comfortable speaking to groups and enjoy social interaction. Responsibilities include assisting customers in the store, leading customers on tours of the cave, serving customers during educational & entertainment events, and helping with general maintenance & upkeep of the property. Work hours vary based on staffing levels, special event needs, and weather. To apply, go to  http:

Did you know that the state of Missouri is home to over 7,600 caves? Called “The Cave State” , Missouri is a treasure trove of underground exploration. The fascination with caves covers a spectrum of human interest. Some enjoy the occasional cave tour while others spend all of their free time researching and planning muddy crawls through undiscovered spaces. Whatever your fascination, Missouri has plenty of opportunities for you to learn more about caves and caving. Created by time, pressure and water, each cave is unique. Some are small, offering nothing more than a crawl space under the surface; while others are spacious labyrinths that go on for miles. Beautiful formations are made from minerals like dolomite , onyx , calcite , and chert . These delicate creations can stand the test of time or be destroyed by compounds as simple as the oil in your fingertips. That is why conservation is such a big part of the caving discussion in Missouri. Education is necessary to preserv

When Jeff and Amy Hargroves purchased Stark Caverns, one of their first goals was to erect a new Visitors Center. Their vision was to create a welcoming place where guests could enjoy more than just a tour of the cave. The two-story building has the look of an old-fashioned general store. A wide wrap-around porch features oversized Adirondack rockers that make a comfortable spot for guests to observe the fauna that often visits the property, including hummingbirds, ducks, geese, deer, and turtles. A water tower allows guests to experience old-fashioned sluicing, where they are delighted to discover gems and fossils to add to their collections. Rockhounds are able to crack geodes, a spherical rock that is lined with crystals on the inside, creating their own unique souvenir. Upstairs, there is a multi-purpose room that houses the beginnings of Stark Caverns’ museum. Artifacts on display include arrowheads, cave specimens, and antique advertising materials from years gone by. In