The Cave Guide
Stalagmites inside Marengo Cave, IndianaPhoto: Booradleyp, CC BY-SA 3.0

Marengo Cave

Marengo, IN
52°F
inside, all year
40 min
on the main tour
$22.95
adult ticket

A cave in Marengo, Indiana with two easy walking tours, the 40-minute Crystal Palace and the 60-minute Dripstone Trail, at 52°F.

The story

Marengo Cave was discovered in 1883 by Blanche Hiestand, a 15-year-old cook at Marengo Academy, and her eleven-year-old brother Orris. On September 6, 1883, they took candles and entered a sinkhole near the school, finding a large chamber. The original land owner was notified a few days later and the cave was immediately opened to the public for tours, initially by candlelight. A building was eventually erected near the entrance to facilitate tours, and the cave has been open ever since.

Found
September 6, 1883
Open to visitors since
1883

History source: marengocave.com.

What you'll see

  • Crystal Palace
  • Dripstone Trail
  • Soda straws
  • Totem pole stalagmites
  • Penny Ceiling
  • Flowstone deposits

Tickets and timing

Adults
$22.95 Crystal Palace, $25.95 Dripstone Trail, $31.95 both (13+)
Kids
$13.95 / $15.95 / $19.95 (ages 4–12)
How long it takes
40 minutes (Crystal Palace) or 60 minutes (Dripstone Trail)
Hours
Daily 9am–5pm; noon on Easter Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Booking
Book online or call 812-365-2705.

Getting around underground

The walk
Easy walking with minimal steps, but narrow passages.
Wheelchairs
Not accessible because of steps and narrow passages.
Strollers
Not allowed.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Small dogs can come in if carried the whole tour. Leashed pets welcome on the grounds.
Temperature
52°F year-round

Good to know

Minimum age
No age limit; children of any age are welcome, and children three and under go free.
Best time to go
The wait is usually less than 30 minutes; during the winter waits may be longer but almost never exceed an hour.
Wildlife
The Blue River Basin is home to over 100,000 endangered Indiana bats and other rare species of animals.
On site
Gift Shop, Mega Maze, The Sky Climber, Mini Glow Putt Putt Golf, Sweet Shop, Rock Shop, The Crawl, Gemstone Mining, Cabins, Camping, Cave Simulator

Getting there

LouisvilleIndianapolis

400 East State Road 64, Marengo, IN 47140

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Marengo Cave take?

40 minutes (Crystal Palace) or 60 minutes (Dripstone Trail)

How cold is it inside Marengo Cave?

52°F year-round.

Can you visit Marengo Cave in a wheelchair?

Not accessible because of steps and narrow passages.

Are dogs allowed at Marengo Cave?

Small dogs can come in if carried the whole tour. Leashed pets welcome on the grounds.

Do you need to book Marengo Cave in advance?

Book online or call 812-365-2705.

When was Marengo Cave discovered?

September 6, 1883, according to the cave's own history.

Is there a minimum age for Marengo Cave?

No age limit; children of any age are welcome, and children three and under go free.

Where is Marengo Cave?

400 East State Road 64, Marengo, IN 47140

Listed in: dog-friendly caves, caves with camping or lodging

Checked on 2026-10-22 against marengocave.com (home and walking tours pages). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.

Other caves in Indiana

See all 6 caves in Indiana