Stark Caverns

Come Inside & Enjoy The Great Outdoors! Stark Caverns is excited to announce that we will open for tours on Thursday, May 7, 2020.   The safety and wellbeing of our guests and employees is our first priority, and we will continue to do our part to prevent the spread. Stark Caverns is closely following the recommendations provided by the CDC .   Each tour size is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance online. Guests will also have the option to purchase the entire tour time. During your visit, we recommend following normal social distancing guidelines, maintaining 6’ between non-family members, washing your hands before and after your visit, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Masks and facial coverings are appropriate and welcome. In fact, Stark Caverns is so committed to helping stop the spread, that we are donating $1 to the UnitedWay of Central Missouri’s COVID-19 Response Fund for every paid guest that chooses to wear a mask during t...

Most merit badges require plenty of study and preparation. In addition, they also require some hands-on experience. Our goal is to help Scouts working on their merit badges meet a portion of those requirements during their visit to Stark Caverns .   For example, BSA Scouts interested in archaeology can make Stark Caverns one of their research sites. We’re easy to find on a map, our tour offers plenty of information about the Native Americans who used the cave during the Late Woodland Period , including tools, lifestyle, and artifacts. Materials gathered during your visit will help to prepare the required group presentation, and meet the requirements for studying a culture that lived here more than 100 years ago. GSA , Trail Life , and BSA all have camping requirements that can be fulfilled at Stark Caverns. Not only will scouts experience a unique adventure , spending the night inside the cave; but they can also fulfill requirements in expedition planning , cooki...

Educators are invited to enjoy an evening of refreshments and learning on Thursday, February 27. This free event will offer a preview of the new in-cave, hands-on learning program being unveiled this year for elementary and secondary school students at Stark Caverns. In cooperation with the Museum atPrariefire , an affiliate of the American Museum of Natural History , Stark Caverns has developed an exciting new curriculum that aligns with MissouriLearning Standards . Students will experience a series of learning stations with lessons in Social Studies, Science, and English Language Arts, designed with auditory, visual, and hands-on elements. Complimentary appetizers, wine, beer, and beverages will be served. Educators are welcome to stop in anytime between 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm and are encouraged to allow at least thirty minutes to enjoy the experience. Stark Caverns appreciates the investment that educators make in their students, so there is no cost to attend the event, al...

Each year, school groups from all over the region take trips to learn about the caverns here in Eldon, Missouri . Because education is an essential part of the mission at Stark Caverns , we are always looking at ways of improving the experience for students. In 2020, we are excited to announce the development of a new curriculum in partnership with the Museum at Prairie Fire in Kansas City . Designed to support the education standards of the state of Missouri, the goal is to create a menu of interactive learning experiences for students grades K - 8. Instead of a standard cave tour, students will visit stations throughout the cave where they will experience lessons on history, geology, biology, conservation, and engineering. Each lesson will be designed to have visual, auditory and tactile learning opportunities. Interactive learning experiences improve a student’s ability to retain information. The design of this new curriculum will allow continued expansion of activities...