In the heart of western North Carolina’s majestic mountains is Linville Caverns, my family explored a unique subterranean world that has attracted visitors for generations. Discovered in 1822 by local fishermen, these ancient caverns offer a glimpse into an underground world of breathtaking mineral formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and underground streams.
Linville Caverns in North Carolina quick tips:
- Hours of Operation: March – November: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (9 am – 5 pm); December – February: Weekends only (9 am – 4:30 pm)
- Admissions: Tickets have to be bought in person and range from $11-13 per person.
- Touring the Caves: Guided tours are required
- What to Wear: Long pants and clothes, consider rain jacket
- Photography: Photos are allowed, but the use of flash may be restricted in certain areas to protect the natural environment.
- Accessibility: While parts of the caverns are accessible to those with mobility issues, not all areas may be. It’s best to check with the Linville Caverns staff ahead of your visit regarding accessibility accommodations.
1. Arrive early to get your cave tour tickets
When we reached Linville Caverns, we found out quickly that Linville it is a popular guided tour in North Carolina and often sells out. We drove an hour to get there from where we were staying and they only had enough tickets left for our group of 9.
However, you cannot call ahead for tickets. You’ll need to show up in person. Therefore, I’d suggest arriving by 10 am so that you can be certain to get tickets. Tours last about 30 minutes, so if you arrive at 10 am, you should get a tour before the end of the day.
There are several daily tours, and a new tour enters the cave every ten minutes. Once you’ve purchased your tickets, wait for your time slot (it will be handwritten on your ticket stub). There’s lots to explore at the picnic area, near the river, or in the Linville Cavern visitor center and gift shop. As you stage under a covered area, you’ll face a steel door that acts as the entrance to these caves in North Carolina. The words “beware of bats” adorn the heavy entrance door.
Note: Listen to the nearby stream and appreciate that it goes into the mountain. This same observation led a fisherman to discover the caves in NC in 1822 when he saw a trout swim under the hill, seeming to disappear!
Cost of tickets
You can purchase tickets in the Linville Cavern souvenir shop. Tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $11 for children 5 to 12. Children under five years old and accompanied by an adult or senior are free.
Hours of operation
Linville Caverns is a seasonal operation. From March to November, these North Carolina caverns are open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, & Mondays. It’s closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Hours during daylight savings time are 9 am-5 pm. It’s open on weekends only and closed during the week of December- February. Hours on Saturdays & Sundays are 9 am-4:30 pm.
Address
- Linville Caverns, NC address: 19929 US-221, Marion, NC 28752
- Phone: (828) 756-4171
Directions to Linville Caverns
- From Blowing Rock (you’ll most likely be coming from Blowing Rock or Boone area), North Carolina take US-221 South
- Get on US-181 South (take a left)
- Take a right on US-183 North
- Go left on US-221 South to the Linville Cavern entrance sign on the right-hand side
Use this map to locate the Linville Caverns in Marion, NC. Scroll to the left or right, and zoom in with two fingers if using your phone.
The paved entrance has ample parking, a picnic area and a large stream to photograph, and large boulders to climb. In addition, there’s a nice souvenir shop and public restrooms.
My favorite attraction in the Linville cave parking area is the rock wall bridge that allows cars to pass over the river that eventually enters Linville Caverns.
Things to do near Linville Caverns
While you’re in the area, consider traveling to Linville Falls
Note: Linville Caverns to Linville Falls is a short 7 minute drive
2. Dress for success
Deep below Humpback Mountain lies Linville Caverns, which formed millions of years ago.
Drops of water fall from the ceiling of these caverns in North Carolina. The water comes from the north fork of the local Catawba River.
The water in a cave typically comes from natural sources, like rainwater or underground streams. As the water flows through the cave, it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, helping to maintain a relatively constant temperature.
Be sure to get Linville Caverns pictures especially of Frozen Niagra (pictured above). Our tour guide shared that rainwater takes about three days to filter from outside the mountain to the ceiling inside the caves.
Those that get a drop on them are said to have gotten “cave kissed” which can bring good luck. I want you to please prepare to get wet, but not too wet.
You should wear the following:
- The cave can be cold, it stays a constant 52 degrees. It’s also wet with water dripping from the limestone ceiling.
- Wear rain gear and close-toed shoes
Why are Linville Caverns a constant temperature
Caves are known to be one of Earth’s most thermally stable environments. This means the temperature inside a cave remains relatively constant throughout the year, typically hovering around 52℉.
This is because caves rely on a unique system that regulates the flow of air and water to maintain a stable temperature, known as the cave effect.
The cave effect starts with ambient air temperatures outside the cave. During hot weather, the outside air is warmer than the cave environment, causing the air to flow into the cave.
Conversely, during cold weather, the air outside the cave is colder than the cave environment, causing the air to flow out of the cave. This cyclical system helps maintain a constant temperature by recycling the air inside and outside the cave.
The cave effect is also influenced by the amount of water present in the cave. Water plays a crucial role in regulating cave temperature because water can absorb and retain heat.
3. Bring the proper gear and know how to use it
- Bring your phone or a camera for Linville Caverns photos (no flash)
- No flashlights so that other tourists can better appreciate the underground cave system
- Your tour guide will have a flashlight to show you the essential features of the cave system.
- The inside of Linville Caverns is well-lit, with electrical lighting.
- Know how to use your camera or phone in lower light situations without a flash (or you’ll be stumbling to figure it out instead of enjoying the tour)
- Linville Caverns is partially wheelchair accessible
- No strollers allowed
- Bring any medications you might need (sugar if your diabetic) or an epi-pen if you have life-threatening allergies
If you’re planning a last minute trip to Linville Caverns, make plans immediately! Here’s some recommendations:
Best places to stay near Linville Caverns:
- Linville Falls Lodge & Cottages: 8890 NC-183, Linville Falls, NC 28647
- Springmaid Mountain Retreat & Stables: 2171 Henredon Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Best places to eat food near Linville Caverns:
- Tartan Restaurant
- Pedalin’ Pig (27 minute drive from Linville Caverns): 4235 NC-105, Banner Elk, NC 28604
4. Bring food and water (to the parking lot)
Don’t bring food and water into the cave! However, there’s a possibility you’ll be waiting in the parking lot and picnic area before your tour starts. This can happen since you must buy tickets in person and it’s a popular North Carolina destination. I recommend bringing a cooler with drinks, food, or even lunch.
5. Listen to your Linville Caverns tour guide
For your safety and the safety of others, it’s essential to listen to your Linville Caverns tour guide. They can tell what you can and cannot touch.
Or, they might tell you where to step or not to step. Our tour guide had a lot of helpful information about the ecology and history of the cave system.
6. Move in Linville Caverns with care
As with any cave, be careful where you move. You could bump your head easily if you’re not paying attention. It’s dark, and some areas are narrow or short. You’ll pass through some regions in the cave where you’ll have to travel single file so you’ll fit.
7. Be prepared for darkness in Linville Caverns
One of the most remarkable points in our Linville Cavern tour was when our tour guide turned off the light switches.
The tour guide wanted us to appreciate how dark it can be inside a cave. There’s nothing like seeing nothing, complete darkness!
Discovery of Linville Caverns
The discovery of Linville Caverns dates back to 1822 when a local fisherman in Marion, North Carolina, noticed native fish swimming into Humpback Mountain.
He followed the trout to a small opening, leading to caverns and caves that didn’t seem to end. You can imagine how hard it would have been to see inside the caverns in the 1820s with nothing but lamps.
Our tour guide shared that over 100 years ago, two adventurous boys went in with lanterns and fell into the creek, extinguishing their light source. Luckily, they were rescued even thought they had not told anyone where to go (the cardinal mistake of spelunking or cave exploration).
8. Don’t touch the limestone walls
Touching the walls inside Linville Caverns can damage the limestone formations and prevent them from growing. Oils and residues on human hands disrupt the natural, slow-growing formations.
However, there’s evidence that limestone will grow on the artificial concrete retention walls made in the 1940s, so not all human interaction with the caves is negative.
9. Wipe you’re feet when you exit Linville caves
After visitors exit Linville Caverns they must step on a mat saturated with a solution of 90% water and 10% bleach to kill any fungus that could spread by humans. Why you ask? It’s all about the bats.
Linville caverns and bats
Linville Caverns is home to a vibrant bat population critically affected by white-nose syndrome. Scientists believe that the fungus was brought here by humans and thrives in the calm, damp environment of the caverns.
As a result, the bats’ natural hibernation cycle is disrupted, causing them to use up their stored energy prematurely and eventually die of starvation.
The situation in Linville Caverns is dire, with a significant drop in bat numbers reported in the past few years. Once, over 4000 bats of various species inhabited the cave system.
Now, only a handful of bats arrive yearly.
While a door blocks the cave entrance, openings that are large enough for bats allow bats to enter and leave the caves freely.
Eastern pipistrelle bat
The eastern pipistrelle, the smallest bat species in North America, is the worst affected, with its population declining by over 80%. Scientists closely monitor the situation, and there is a real fear that they might soon go extinct in this area.
White-nose syndrome’s impact on bats is not limited to Linville Caverns; it threatens bat populations across North America. The disease was observed in a cave in New York in 2006 and has since spread to 33 states and seven Canadian provinces.
It is estimated that over 7 million bats in North America have died due to the disease, which represents over 90% of some bat populations. The impact of the bat decline is far-reaching and will have severe implications for our environment.
Bats play a crucial role in our surroundings and ecosystem, and their decline could lead to negative consequences such as an increase in insect pests, especially mosquitoes, a loss of pollinators, and even negative impacts on human health.
Bats decline
Losing bats will also have severe economic consequences, as bats contribute billions of dollars yearly by reducing the need for pesticides and helping pollinate crops.
Despite the grim situation, there is hope for our flying companions. Scientists are developing treatments for the fungus, such as bio-control agents and fungicides.
Additionally, researchers are studying the genetics of bat populations to understand better how the disease spreads and how to develop a vaccine in the future.
Furthermore, the public can help by following simple guidelines such as avoiding caves where bats are known to reside, properly disinfesting gear, and educating others about the threats facing our bat populations.
10. Enjoy your surroundings in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Entering Linville Caverns
As you drive towards Linville Caverns in Marion, North Carolina, enjoy the dense hardwoods of oaks, maples, and poplars interspersed with native rhododendrons. These whitish-blooming rhododendrons populate Pisgah National Forest in the thousands.
If you’re visiting Linville Caves in the fall, enjoy some of the best fall foliage in the world. To see blooming rhododendrons, visit this portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the spring.
11. Learn the history of Linville Caverns
Other historically essential facts about the Linville caves include the Civil and Revolutionary Wars. During the Civil War, both Confederate and Union deserters took refuge in the caves of Linville Caverns.
An article from the National Speleological Society Bulletins refers to Revolutionary War soldiers who also took shelter in Linville Caverns
Our Linville Cavern tour guide shared that around 1937, the town of Marion knew the caves of Humpback Mountain were special. They bought the property and resold it through an open bid.
Thirteen families bought equal shares in the Linville Cavern property to open the caves as a tourist attraction, as a “show cavern” (open to the public).
Did you know: North Carolina has approximately 900 caves across the state!
Mineralogist Henry E. Colton is credited with finding Linville Caverns in 1837. However, when Thomas Edison sent a mineralogist, William Earl Hidden, to search for platinum for his incandescent lamps, the true marvels of the cave were uncovered.
Though Hidden did not find any platinum, he made several stunning discoveries, including a rare gemstone named Hiddenite after himself.
NC caverns as a tourist attraction
One of the leading investors responsible for the internal architecture of Linville Caverns developed and died from the flu about two weeks after the deal was finalized.
A few years later, a significant flood hit Marion and McDowell County, causing much damage to the inside of Linville Caverns. Evidence exists today of stalagmites broken off at their base from the 1940s flood.
After the significant McDowell County flood, the business closed, and one of the original investors (Spencer Collins) bought all the remaining shares, including Humpback Mountain, from the other shareholders.
Spencer Collins cleaned up all of the debris inside the caves. In addition, he constructed concrete sidewalks and retention walls throughout Linville Caverns to prevent future damage during flood situations.
Spencer Collin’s early efforts to protect Linville Caverns allow thousands of travelers to enjoy the caves each year.
12. Be on the lookout for animals inside Linville Caverns
The delicate ecosystem inside the cave, with limited light, high humidity, constant temperature, and limited food, makes for a unique and fascinating experience. Visitors can find bats, Linville Caverns spiders (Nesticus carolinensis), blind rainbows, and brown trout inhabiting the caverns.
The tour
The cavern hike can take 30 to 45 minutes, taking you deep underground to witness the naturally formed stalactites, stalagmites, and mineral curtains. You’ll see different chambers, each with its unique features and attractions.
The guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing their experience and insights about the caverns, making the experience educational and engaging.
We saw a lot of other families, many of whom were traveling out of state, going on this epic adventure.
Here’s a list of the surveyed landmarks and important features inside Linville Caverns:
- Ballroom feature
- Conch shell pendant
- Bat formation
- Column and pillar stalagmite
- Heart of Linville Caverns
- Minature Linville Caverns or diaroma
- Fireplace
- Linville Cavern’s bottomless pool
- Bernard fault line (The Brevard Fault Zone is a 700-km long and several km-wide thrust fault that extends from the North Carolina-Virginia border)
- North fork of the Catawba River
- Capitol dome
- Volcanic scene
- Frozen Niagra
- Dry section
- Gilkey room
- Amphipod alley
- Signature pool
- Lemon squeezer
- Signature rock (has William Early Hidden’s signature dated July 21, 1884)
Cavern descriptions from Linville Caverns surveyed map:
- Principal passage
- Underlying passage
- Slope
- Pit or depression
- Stream
- Steps
13. Learn the difference between stalactites and stalagmites
If you learn nothing else from this travel guide or from visiting Linville Caverns, know this: The difference between stalactites and stalagmites.
You’ll be sure to be quizzed on it one day, either on Jeopardy or family and friends!
Stalactites and stalagmites are typical structures that you will find in several caves. Linville Caverns is no exception to this. But what makes them attractive is that they are connected beautifully, creating a stunning sight.
To understand the difference between these two structures, you need to know one thing: The terms indicate the direction of the structure, whether it’s rising from the ground or hanging from the ceiling.
Stalactites are formations that hang tightly and grow down from the cave’s ceiling, while stalagmites grow up from the cave floor and stand up vertically.
Our Linville Caverns tour guide helped us to remember the difference by staying stalacitites “grow tight” to the ceiling, whereas stalagmites “might not” attach to the ceiling – which they don’t. This play on words might help you to remember the difference between the two formations like it did me.
How Linville Carverns formed
The story of Linville Caverns begins over 350 million years ago, in the Late Devonian period when a shallow sea covered the area. Over time, the sea retreated, and sediment from the surrounding mountains accumulated on the sea floor.
This sediment eventually turns into limestone and dolomite, a porous rock that can dissolve when exposed to water over time. The water becomes acidified as it chemically reacts with the atmosphere.
The acidified water dissolves limestone and dolomite, forming underground streams and rivers.
An underground waterway system
These underground waterways gradually eroded the rock, creating the vast passages and rooms that make up Linville Caverns today. The water also created beautiful formations, like stalagmites and stalactites, seen throughout the caverns.
The creation of stalactites and stalagmites takes millions of years. The process begins with minerals that get dissolved in water. The water, usually rich in minerals, sometimes comes from underground sources and carries lime, calcium, and other dissolved minerals.
One interesting fact about stalactites and stalagmites is that they grow very slowly. They grow only around 0.13 mm per year. Over time, they form a beautiful connection that shapes the cave’s beauty.
Stalactites and stalagmites take on various shapes, sizes, and colors. Some resemble icicles, others look like temples, and some even take on the shape of animals.
Another exciting aspect of stalactites and stalagmites is that they are a testament to the history of the cave system. The age of stalactites and stalagmites can often be determined by studying the mineral deposits that make up the ones in the cave.
14. Stand at the front of the line
This advice might be the most important. Tip number fifteen is to stand at the front of the tour line. The path going to the bottomless pit is so narrow that you have to form a single file line to go over the bottomless pool.
It has a metal grate over it and it’s beautiful. However, only the people at the front of the line will cross over it. The ones in the back will turn around without having seen it. If you aren’t at the front of the line ask and maybe your tour guide will let you take a peak.
Pictured above is the Bottomless Pool, where explorers found that with a line and a weight at the end, the pool extends to over 250 feet. Guided tours get to walk over the pool using a metal grate.
When you look down, it’s impressive how deep the pool is, and the turquoise blue water is also remarkable.
Furthermore, stalagmites and stalactites have played a significant role in the cave’s ecosystem. They serve as water channels that bring nutrients to the surrounding organisms, making them an essential part of the fauna and flora in and around the caves.
The Brevard fault line can be seen running through Linville Caverns and is monitored periodically by regional geologists.
Families and solo travelers seeking adventure and natural beauty should put Linville Caverns on their bucket list. From its discovery in 1822 and its role in American history for hiding Civil War soldiers to the wide variety of cave-dwelling organisms and geological marvels, there is no shortage of reasons why Linville Caverns is one of the best caves in North Carolina.
Explore Linville Caverns
I hope you enjoyed touring through Linville Caverns as much as we did. If you feel we left anything out please let us know in the comments section below.
Have fun visiting one of the most highly recommended caverns in North Carolina! Do you have any questions about getting to Linville Caverns? Let us know in the comments section below.
If you want to learn about other great caves to explore, go with us on other cave adventures around the world. Love caves like we do? Try going to New Zealand to see glowworms in their natural habitat.
Thanks for reading this article about best tips to explore Linville Caverns. Consider checking out our other adventures here and follow us on Instagram (@theearthbyfoot) to see where we’re traveling now.
