Caves near St. Louis: what is within reach
The caves that people visit from St. Louis lie outside the city. The two main choices are Meramec Caverns, about 60 miles (97 km) west on Interstate 44, and Onondaga Cave State Park at Leasburg. Both offer guided walks of about an hour or more.
If you want to compare tours beyond this region, see Missouri cave tours. The distances here are approximate and are not drive times, so check the route in a navigation app before you leave.
Our pick: St. Louis small-group tour
A city tour with a river cruise for the days you spend in St. Louis itself, not a trip to a cave.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trips and cave tours from St. Louis
Cave tours and Missouri trips with live prices and availability.
St. Louis day trips compared
Prices and seasons for 2026.
| Place | What you get | Length | Price | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meramec Caverns | Guided walk on lit paths | 80 minutes | $30.50 (12 and up) | Closed 5 January to 27 February, call ahead in November and December |
| Onondaga Cave | Lit, paved loop | About 75 minutes | $23 (13 to 64) | Daily 1 April to 31 October |
| Cathedral Cave | Lantern tour | About 2 hours | $15 (18 to 64) | Saturdays and Sundays, Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend |
| Fisher Cave | Cave in Meramec State Park | Guided tour | Check before you go | Regular tours closed 14 September 2026 to 14 May 2027 |
| Route 66 State Park | Visitor center, exhibit and trails | No tour | Check before you go | No cave tour |
For most day trippers, Meramec Caverns or the Onondaga Cave tour is the right pick. Choose Meramec for a single walk on Route 66 and Onondaga if you want a state park with a river, trails and camping. Add Cathedral Cave only on a summer weekend.
Meramec Caverns on Route 66
Take Interstate 44 west to Exit 230 at Stanton. The tour lasts 80 minutes and covers 1¼ miles out and back on lit paths. The cave is not wheelchair accessible, and strollers are not allowed.
The cave's postal town is Stanton, and the GPS address is 1135 MO-W, Sullivan, MO 63080. For prices, hours and the Jesse James legend, read the Meramec Caverns guide.
Onondaga Cave and Cathedral Cave
Onondaga Cave and Cathedral Cave share one location at Leasburg. They are not two city caves. The Onondaga tour starts at the Visitor Center, and the Cathedral Cave tour starts at the camping shower house.
Onondaga tours run daily from 1 April to 31 October, with the last tour at 3:30 p.m. Cathedral Cave is open only on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. A same-day ticket for both caves costs $32 for ages 13 and up. The full details are in the Onondaga Cave State Park guide.
Fisher Cave and the Route 66 stop
Fisher Cave is in Meramec State Park. It is a different site from Meramec Caverns, even though the names are close. Regular Fisher Cave tours are closed from 14 September 2026 to 14 May 2027. Education programs have their own calendar.
Route 66 State Park is at Eureka. The visitor center sits in the former Bridgehead Inn, a roadhouse from 1935. The park offers a Route 66 exhibit and trails, but no cave tour.
How to plan a day trip from St. Louis
Four points to settle before you leave.
Pick the month first
Meramec is closed from early January to late February. Onondaga tours run from April to October. Cathedral Cave needs a summer weekend.
Check the route on the day
Look up current drive times in a navigation app. Check public transport options before you go if you do not have a car.
Dress for 57 to 60 °F
Onondaga and Cathedral stay at around 57 °F, and Meramec at 58 to 60 °F. A jacket is useful in summer.
Weather and best time →Keep gear apart
The state park caves ask visitors not to bring clothing or gear that has been in another cave, to protect bats from white-nose syndrome. Carry a second pair of shoes if you visit two caves.
Plan the rest of your trip
More caves and planning pages.
Caves near St. Louis: frequently asked questions
What is the closest cave to St. Louis?
Meramec Caverns is about 60 miles (97 km) west of St. Louis on Interstate 44, Exit 230. Onondaga Cave State Park at Leasburg is the other main choice.
How long is the drive from St. Louis to the caves?
The distance is about 60 miles to Meramec Caverns. Drive times vary with traffic and your starting point, so check the route in a navigation app.
Can I visit two caves in one day?
Yes, on a summer weekend you can combine Onondaga Cave and Cathedral Cave on one ticket for $32 (ages 13 and up). If you want to see Meramec and Onondaga on one trip, allow a full day and check the drive between them in a navigation app.
Which caves are open in winter?
Meramec Caverns is closed from 5 January to 27 February and uses call-ahead hours in November and December. Onondaga tours run from 1 April to 31 October. Check the current timetable before you go.
Is Fisher Cave the same as Meramec Caverns?
No. Fisher Cave is in Meramec State Park and has its own schedule, with regular tours closed from 14 September 2026 to 14 May 2027.
Is this the official guide to caves near St. Louis?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the official website of Missouri State Parks, the Department of Natural Resources, Visit Missouri or any cave, so use their own channels for the final word on tickets and hours.