The Cave Guide
A lit stalagmite inside Crystal Cave, PennsylvaniaPhoto: Jtknowles, Public domain

Crystal Cave

Kutztown, PA
54°F
inside, all year
125 ft
below the surface
1 hr
on the main tour
$21
adult ticket

Pennsylvania's first show cave, discovered in 1871, between Allentown and Reading. The one-hour guided tour starts with a film and goes 125 feet down on concrete walks at a constant 54°F.

The story

Discovered in 1871, Crystal Cave is Pennsylvania's first show cave and has drawn visitors for more than 145 years. From 1891 until 1912 an 'Opera Bus' stagecoach carried tourists between the cave and the local train station; it is now in the site's museum.

Found
1871

History source: crystalcavepa.com.

What you'll see

  • Totem Pole, a 14-foot column
  • Ear of Corn stalactite
  • Ice Cream Cone
  • Bacon drapery
  • Lion's Tail helictites (found in 2017)

Tickets and timing

Adults
$21 (12+)
Kids
$16 (ages 4–11), free for 3 and under
How long it takes
About 1 hour, including a short film
Hours
Seasonal.
Booking
Call 610-683-6765.

Getting around underground

The walk
125 ft down on concrete walks with steel railings.
Wheelchairs
Not wheelchair accessible.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Temperature
54°F year-round

Special tours and events

Mini golf ($6) and gemstone panning (from $8.99) on site; museum, café and ice cream parlor in summer.

Getting there

PittsburghPhiladelphiaHarrisburg

Crystal Cave is in or near Kutztown, PA.

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • Bring a light sweater and comfortable walking shoes.
  • Look for the 14-ft 'Totem Pole' column and the 'Ear of Corn' stalactite.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Crystal Cave take?

About 1 hour, including a short film

How cold is it inside Crystal Cave?

54°F year-round.

Can you visit Crystal Cave in a wheelchair?

Not wheelchair accessible.

Do you need to book Crystal Cave in advance?

Call 610-683-6765.

When was Crystal Cave discovered?

1871, according to the cave's own history.

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

Other caves in Pennsylvania

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