The Cave Guide
Lit formations reflected in water inside Onondaga Cave, MissouriPhoto: Grey Wanderer, CC BY-SA 3.0

Onondaga Cave

Leasburg, MO
57°F
inside, all year
1 hr
on the main tour
$23
adult ticket

A Missouri state park cave with a 75-minute walking tour on lit, paved paths at 57°F, plus a lantern tour of nearby Cathedral Cave.

The story

Charles Christopher, who worked at the nearby Davis mill, realized in 1886 that a cave lay behind the spring's outlet. The name Onondaga, an Iroquois word, was chosen around 1904. In 1932 it opened as the first electrically lit cave in the Missouri Ozarks. Lester Dill, who bought it in 1953, fought the planned Meramec Dam, which would have flooded up to 80% of the cave; Congress shut the project down after a 1978 vote showed 64% opposed. The cave became a state park in 1981 and a National Natural Landmark in 1982.

Found
1886
Open to visitors since
1932

History source: mostateparks.com.

What you'll see

  • King's Canopy
  • The Twins

Tickets and timing

Adults
$23 (18–64); combo with Cathedral Cave $32
Kids
$13 (ages 6–12); combo $18
How long it takes
About 1 hour 15 minutes
Booking
Online through the state park reservation site or at the park (573-245-6576). Weekday morning tours are often full from mid-April through May and in September.

Getting around underground

The walk
Just under 1 mile on electrically lit, paved walkways.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Not allowed on cave tours. A few pet crates rent for $5.
Temperature
57°F / 13°C year-round

Good to know

Best time to go
Onondaga weekday morning tours are often full with school and civic groups from April 15 through May and in September; consider a weekend tour or call ahead.
On site
picnic sites, picnic shelters, playground, visitor center, park store

Getting there

St. LouisKansas CitySpringfieldBranson

7556 Highway H, Leasburg, MO 65535-9136

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Onondaga Cave take?

About 1 hour 15 minutes

How cold is it inside Onondaga Cave?

57°F / 13°C year-round.

Are dogs allowed at Onondaga Cave?

Not allowed on cave tours. A few pet crates rent for $5.

Do you need to book Onondaga Cave in advance?

Online through the state park reservation site or at the park (573-245-6576). Weekday morning tours are often full from mid-April through May and in September.

When was Onondaga Cave discovered?

1886, according to the cave's own history.

Where is Onondaga Cave?

7556 Highway H, Leasburg, MO 65535-9136

Listed in: dog-friendly caves

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

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