Spelunking vs. Caving: Explore the Dark Places Either Way
We’ve always had a soft spot for the nomenclature of this unique adventure activity. For those who don’t know, the highfalutin “spelunking” is the name for how amateurs—even those with a fair amount of experience—explore caves and other subterranean spaces. Cavers, in contrast, are the name of the professional scientists who are rigorously trained not just to explore and navigate caves but also to study their ecosystem and geological parameters. Still, we kind of like saying I’m a spelunker. It’s fun and has an almost onomatopoeia-like quality to it.
When it comes to adventure, if you’re like most people, you’re looking the best spelunking spots in the U.S. But there’s not always a clear line between caving and spelunking for specifics spots and areas of the country. Some of these subterranean places are even divided up into areas that are accessible to the general public, often as part of a guided tour, and others that are reserved only for professional cavers and other authorized parties.
Jewel Cave National Monument Custer, SD
Wonderland Cave Nemo, SD
Black Hills Caverns Rapid City, SD
Hurricane River Cave Pindall, AR
Mystic Caverns Harrison, AR
Cosmic Cavern Berryville, AR
Caverns of Sonora Sonora, TX
Big Four Ice Caves Washington
Grand Caverns Grottoes, VA
Organ Cave Ronceverte, WV
Dixie Caverns Salem, VA
Luray Caverns Luray, VA
Peppersauce Cave Arizona
Grand Canyon Caverns Peach Springs, AZ
Lava River Cave Flagstaff, AZ
Buckner Cave Bloomington, IN