The Cave Guide
A lit passage inside Indian Echo Caverns, PennsylvaniaPhoto: Spika, CC BY-SA 4.0

Indian Echo Caverns

Hummelstown, PA
52°F
inside, all year
45 min
on the main tour
$24.50
adult ticket

A cave 3 miles west of Hershey with 45-minute guided tours at a steady 52°F, plus a petting zoo, playground and picnic areas.

The story

The Susquehannock Indians were likely the first visitors, using the caverns as a refuge during inclement weather because of the constant 52° temperature inside. The first non-Native American explorers were most likely French fur trappers traveling the Swatara Creek in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. As early as the 1700's visitors recorded the existence of a cave at this location, and it was known by names including the Wilson Cave, after a hermit who resided in it from 1802 until 1821, the Hummelstown Cave, and Echo Cave. The caverns were first opened to the general public in 1929, when Mr. John Bieber opened the doors and made the pathways safe for travel. After falling on hard times during the Great Depression, the caverns were purchased in 1942 by Edward S. Swartz, and ownership remains in his family.

Open to visitors since
1929

History source: indianechocaverns.com.

What you'll see

  • North Canyon

Tickets and timing

Adults
$24.50 (12+), seniors $22
Kids
$14.50 (ages 2–11), free under 2
How long it takes
About 45 minutes (about an hour start to finish)
Hours
Open 7 days a week; 9am–5pm Memorial Day to Labor Day. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Booking
Book online or call (717) 566-8131.

Getting around underground

The walk
Stairs inside and outside the cave, and narrow passages.
Wheelchairs
Not accessible because of the stairs and narrow passages.
Strollers
Not allowed. Baby carriers are, ideally worn on the chest.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Allowed if you carry them for the whole tour; leashes aren't enough.
Temperature
52°F year-round

Good to know

Wildlife
Bats, bears, raccoons and other mammals may use the caverns for shelter; insects, crustaceans and blind fish live their entire lives inside caverns.
On site
Gift shop, Free picnic area, Covered picnic areas available for rental by advance registration, Playground, Petting zoo, Gem Mill Junction gem mining

Getting there

PittsburghPhiladelphia

368 Middletown Rd, Hummelstown, PA 17036

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • Wear closed-toe shoes, not sandals.
  • Bring a sweater or light jacket.
  • Cameras are fine if you stay with the group.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Indian Echo Caverns take?

About 45 minutes (about an hour start to finish)

How cold is it inside Indian Echo Caverns?

52°F year-round.

Can you visit Indian Echo Caverns in a wheelchair?

Not accessible because of the stairs and narrow passages.

Are dogs allowed at Indian Echo Caverns?

Allowed if you carry them for the whole tour; leashes aren't enough.

Do you need to book Indian Echo Caverns in advance?

Book online or call (717) 566-8131.

Where is Indian Echo Caverns?

368 Middletown Rd, Hummelstown, PA 17036

Listed in: dog-friendly caves

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

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