Mark Twain Cave in Hannibal at a glance
Mark Twain Cave is a show cave at Hannibal, Missouri. The lit tour lasts about one hour and covers ⅜ mile. There are no steps, but the cave is not wheelchair accessible, and walkers and strollers are not recommended.
The same operator runs Cameron Cave, a second cave with a longer, unlit tour. Both standard tours forbid pets, food and drinks. Exact departure times change, so call before you plan a tight schedule.
Mark Twain Cave tours and Missouri day trips
Cave tours in Missouri and trips from nearby cities, with live prices and availability.
Mark Twain Cave tickets and prices
Admission per person in 2026.
| Tour | Length | Ages 13 and up | Ages 4 to 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Twain Cave tour | About 1 hour, ⅜ mile | $29.99 | $16.99 |
| Cameron Cave Discovery tour | 90 minutes, about 1 mile | $32.99 | $16.99 |
| Cameron Wild Adventure | 3 hours | Call for price | Ages 13 and up only |
The Wild Adventure is for ages 13 and up. Call for the current price and to reserve a spot. If you travel with a child under 4, ask on the phone how the ticket is handled.
For most families, the Mark Twain Cave tour is the easy first choice. Pick Cameron Cave if you want a longer, rougher walk.
Mark Twain Cave tour times by season
These are tour windows, not shop hours. Call for the exact departures.
| Period | Tour window |
|---|---|
| January to March | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| April to May | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Memorial Day to Labor Day | Sunday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| September to October | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| November to December | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
The cave is open all year. Check holiday hours by phone if you travel around a holiday.
Cameron Cave: the flashlight tour
Cameron Cave Discovery lasts 90 minutes and covers about 1 mile through natural, unlit passages. The operator provides flashlights. This is a flashlight tour, not a lantern tour.
The floor is uneven, and there are no steps. The cave is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The cave air is around 56 °F (13 °C).
Tour windows in 2026 are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in March, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Labor Day to October. Outside the season, tours are limited, so ask first. For April and May before Memorial Day, ask first.
The Wild Adventure takes 3 hours with climbing and crawling. It is for ages 13 and up, and helmet and headlamp are provided. Reserve by phone.
The Tom Sawyer legend and the town of Hannibal
Mark Twain Cave is billed as a place that inspired The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. That link is part of the local story and the tour. Treat the Tom Sawyer tales you hear as legends, not as documented history.
The cave tours and a visit to downtown Hannibal are separate parts of the day. Add your time in town to the tour windows above. Distances from hotels to the cave depend on where you stay, so check them on your map.
See where to stay for the areas around Missouri's caves, including Hannibal.
What to expect and what to wear
Practical points for both caves.
Temperature
Mark Twain Cave stays at about 52 °F (11 °C) and Cameron Cave at about 56 °F (13 °C). Bring a jacket, even in July.
Rules
On both standard tours, pets, food and drinks are not allowed. Leave them in the car.
Bat protection
White-nose syndrome affects hibernating bats and spreads on clothing and boots. If you visit several caves on a trip, wear different clothes and shoes for each one. See the cave state facts for the background.
Accessibility
Neither standard tour is suitable for wheelchairs or strollers, even though the Mark Twain tour has no steps.
Plan the rest of your trip
More caves and planning pages.
Mark Twain Cave: frequently asked questions
How much does Mark Twain Cave cost?
In 2026 the tour costs $29.99 for ages 13 and up and $16.99 for ages 4 to 12. Ask by phone about children under 4.
How long is the Mark Twain Cave tour?
The lit tour takes about one hour and covers ⅜ mile. It has no steps.
What is the difference between Mark Twain Cave and Cameron Cave?
Mark Twain Cave is a lit, one-hour tour. Cameron Cave Discovery lasts 90 minutes in natural, unlit passages with flashlights provided, and it costs $32.99 for ages 13 and up.
Is Mark Twain Cave wheelchair accessible?
No. The tour has no steps, but the cave is not suitable for wheelchairs, walkers or strollers.
Do I need to book ahead?
Departure times vary, so call for the exact times. The Cameron Wild Adventure must be reserved by phone.
Is this the official Mark Twain Cave website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the official website of Mark Twain Cave, the town of Hannibal or any tour operator, so use the cave's own channels for the final word on tickets and hours.