When summer temperatures climb, one of my favorite ways to cool off is by heading underground.
On a visit to Lava Beds National Monument in California with my three kids, our hiking plans were thwarted when temps crept into the 100s. Luckily, we found a quick fix.
A stop at the visitor center got us flashlights to borrow, and we headed underground to explore the lava tubes, which were easily 30 degrees cooler than the parking lot temps up above.
And these are hardly the only options available. Across the country, caverns offer a refreshing escape from the heat, with many maintaining comfortable temperatures year-round thanks to their unique underground environments.
Visitors can take boat rides through underground rivers, explore stalagmites and stalactites, and even enjoy subterranean dining. Here are six family-friendly caverns where you can beat the heat.
In this article
Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky
For an adventure that takes place both above and below ground, head to Lost River Cave in Bowling Green.
The attraction's signature experience is the only underground boat tour in Kentucky, taking visitors into a 57-degree cavern carved by the Lost River.
Back above ground, guests can explore nature trails, join guided walking tours, mine for gemstones, and visit a butterfly habitat.
You can also learn about the cave's colorful history: What was once an underground nightclub is now a ballroom featuring a stunning chandelier, available for private events and parties.
Lake Shasta Caverns in Lakehead, California
Lake Shasta Caverns in Northern California offers an adventure that combines a scenic boat ride with an underground exploration.
Visitors begin by cruising across Lake Shasta before taking a short bus ride up the mountain to the caverns, where a guided tour reveals dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and other limestone formations.
I've done this tour three times with my kids, and it's the perfect activity when the summer heat forces us out of the sun. I also really enjoy the beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding Shasta-Trinity National Forest along the way.
When the tour is done, enjoy a picnic on the grounds while the kids mine for gemstones in the sluice box.
Dunbar Cave in Clarksville, Tennessee
Cool off from the summer heat at Dunbar Cave, located inside Dunbar Cave State Park in Clarksville, Tennessee.
The 57-degree cave is the only cave on public property in the world with visible prehistoric Mississippian Native American art. Guided tours are offered May through September, and more adventurous tours venture deeper into the caverns.
Above ground, the park reveals layers of music, culture, and Black history. Big bands performed at the cave's entrance in the 1930s and '40s, while locals once gathered for cave dances to enjoy the naturally cool air.
Hiking trails and wildlife make this state park one you'll want to spend the day at.
Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri
As America's only ride-through cave, Fantastic Caverns lets visitors sit back on a Jeep-drawn tram for a guided journey through the 60-degree cave. A farmer discovered it in 1862 after his dog ran into a small opening.
While its location was kept secret during the Civil War, the cave later served as a speakeasy during the Prohibition era.
The 55-minute cavern tour is accessible for travelers of all ages and mobility levels, making it an especially easy way to explore a cave without hiking, climbing, or crawling.
Best of all, they snap a photo of your group that you can purchase at the end to remember your time spent underground.
Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio, Texas
Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest cavern in Texas, offers multiple ways to explore its spectacular underground world.
Visitors can choose from traditional guided tours, wild caving adventures, and lantern-lit explorations, with each experience offering a different perspective on the cavern's impressive rock formations.
You'll get a nice break from the Texas heat as the temperature in the cavern remains a consistent 70 degrees year-round, thanks to the insulating effect of the earth surrounding the cave.
After your tour, there's a zipline and climbing tower for those wanting a bit more adventure.
Grand Canyon Caverns in Peach Springs, Arizona
Located along historic Route 66 in Peach Springs, Arizona, Grand Canyon Caverns is home to the largest dry caverns in the United States.
Visitors can descend 220 feet underground via escalator for a guided tour through the cavern's rock formations while learning about its history.
For those who need an accessible tour or are short on time, there's also a 25-minute tour that introduces you to the caverns without any climbing required.
A variety of other options are available for the more adventurous, with some requiring crawling through tight tunnels with a headlamp.
You can also book a tour that includes lunch or dinner at the Crystal Restaurant, located in the underground cave system.
The Shortcut
These caves have naturally refreshing temperatures, from a chilly 57 degrees at Dunbar Cave to a comfortable 70 degrees at Natural Bridge Caverns.
You don't have to hike to see one. Grand Canyon Caverns has an escalator down 220 feet, and Fantastic Caverns runs its entire tour on a Jeep-drawn tram. Boat tours exist underground too. Lost River Cave and Lake Shasta Caverns both include a ride on the water.
Some have serious history attached. Dunbar Cave holds visible Native American art, and Lost River Cave was once a Prohibition-era speakeasy turned nightclub.
Next up: Cave Hotels Are a Real Thing. Here Are the 7 Best Around the World.
