The Cave Guide

Olentangy Indian Caverns

Delaware, OH
58
steps on the tour
20-30 min
on the main tour
$11.95
adult ticket

A family attraction near Columbus with cavern tours, a petting zoo and seasonal activities, open March to November.

The story

The Wyandot tribe may have used the caverns as a haven, and artifacts indicate the Council Room was used to make arrows and stone implements until as late as 1810. The first settler believed to have entered was J. M. Adams in 1821, who carved his name and date on the wall after finding his ox dead at the entrance. In the mid-to-late 1800s the caverns were considered a safety hazard and the entrance was filled. In the 1930s two local families purchased the land and excavated the cave. On July 4, 1935, the caverns were first opened for public tours.

Found
1821
Open to visitors since
1935

History source: olentangycaverns.com.

What you'll see

  • Council Room
  • Battleship Rock
  • The Crystal Room
  • Fat Man's Misery
  • Cathedral Hall
  • Bell Tower room

Tickets and timing

Adults
$11.95 (ages 13+)
Kids
$8.95 (ages 3-12)
How long it takes
20-30 minutes
Hours
Daily mid-March to November 1 (2026), including holidays: weekdays 9:30am–5pm, weekends 9:30am–6pm.
Booking
Tickets online or at the gift shop.

Getting around underground

The walk
58 stairs into and out of the cave; cave floor cemented; some tight passages.
Wheelchairs
Not wheelchair accessible.
Strollers
Strollers are not allowed in the caverns or the petting zoo; allowed elsewhere on the property.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
No dogs; service dogs welcome.
When it rains
The cave may close for 1–3 hours during flash flooding above ground.
Temperature
54 degrees Fahrenheit

Good to know

Best time to go
Tuesdays and Wednesdays have a lower volume of guests to avoid summer crowds.
Elevator
No elevator; cave accessible only by stairs.
Food and drink
No food sold; water, bottled soft drinks, and candy available in gift shop. Visitors may bring their own food and use picnic tables in the shelter house.
On site
Gift shop, Gem mining, Petting zoo, Miniature golf, Treasure hunt maze, Bigfoot walking trail, Fire truck slide, Playground, Rock & Gem Shop, Shelter house with picnic tables, Restrooms in shelter house

Getting there

CincinnatiColumbusClevelandToledoDayton

1779 Home Road, Delaware, OH 43015

Parking: Free parking

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • On wet days bring a rain jacket and shoes that can get damp.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Olentangy Indian Caverns take?

20-30 minutes

How cold is it inside Olentangy Indian Caverns?

54 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you visit Olentangy Indian Caverns in a wheelchair?

Not wheelchair accessible.

Are dogs allowed at Olentangy Indian Caverns?

No dogs; service dogs welcome.

Do you need to book Olentangy Indian Caverns in advance?

Tickets online or at the gift shop.

When was Olentangy Indian Caverns discovered?

1821, according to the cave's own history.

Where is Olentangy Indian Caverns?

1779 Home Road, Delaware, OH 43015

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

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