The Cave Guide
The colored light display on stalactites in Meramec Caverns, MissouriPhoto: Joseph Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0

Meramec Caverns

Stanton, MO
60°F
inside, all year
1 hr
on the main tour
$30.50
adult ticket

A big commercial cave off I-44 (exit 230) with ranger-led walking tours on lit paths, plus a zipline, riverboat and float trips on the same property.

The story

French explorer Philipp Renault, guided by Osage Indians, came upon the cave entrance in 1720 and named it Saltpeter Cave after the mineral he found inside. Saltpeter mining for gunpowder continued from the cave for 144 years, and in 1864 Confederate troops destroyed a Union-held gunpowder facility inside the cave, ending the mining. In the 1890s locals from Stanton held summer 'cave parties' and dances in a large room nicknamed the 'Ballroom'. In 1933 Lester Dill bought the cave from Charles Ruepple, renamed it Meramec Caverns, and began offering cave tours to the public. In 1941 Dill went under a wall through receded water and found more passages, along with artifacts linked to Jesse James, and the area was dubbed 'Jesse James Hideout'.

Found
1720
Open to visitors since
1933

History source: americascave.com.

What you'll see

  • Wine Table
  • Stage Curtain
  • Theatre Room
  • Jesse James Hideout
  • Loot Rock
  • Ballroom

Tickets and timing

Adults
$30.50 (ages 12+)
Kids
$16.50 (ages 5–11), free for 4 and under
How long it takes
1 hour 20 minutes
Hours
Daily 9am–4pm, open year-round.
Booking
No reservation needed except for groups of 15 or more.

Getting around underground

The walk
1.25-mile round trip on walkways with one flight of steps.
Wheelchairs
Not accessible because of ramps and narrow walkways. Waiting areas are available.
Strollers
Not allowed on the tour.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Free concrete kennels during the tour ($6 refundable key deposit). They're not heated or air-conditioned.
Temperature
58–60°F year-round (the site gives both figures)

Good to know

Food and drink
A restaurant, snack bar, and 28 flavors of ice cream are available on site.
Wildlife
Bats live in the cave, mainly small Eastern Pipistrelle and Brown Bats; sightings are minimal and they pose no danger or threat to humans.
On site
Gift Shop, Restaurant, Candy Store, Pan for Gold, Motel, Campground, Zipline, Caveman Climbing Wall, Riverboat, Float Trips, Jesse James Wax Museum

Getting there

St. LouisKansas CitySpringfieldBranson

1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • Bring a light jacket and non-slip walking shoes.
  • Riverboat rides run Memorial Day to Labor Day; the zipline runs in summer and on spring and fall weekends.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Meramec Caverns take?

1 hour 20 minutes

How cold is it inside Meramec Caverns?

58–60°F year-round (the site gives both figures).

Can you visit Meramec Caverns in a wheelchair?

Not accessible because of ramps and narrow walkways. Waiting areas are available.

Are dogs allowed at Meramec Caverns?

Free concrete kennels during the tour ($6 refundable key deposit). They're not heated or air-conditioned.

Do you need to book Meramec Caverns in advance?

No reservation needed except for groups of 15 or more.

When was Meramec Caverns discovered?

1720, according to the cave's own history.

Where is Meramec Caverns?

1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080

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

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

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