Meramec Caverns on Route 66 at a glance
Meramec Caverns is a show cave in eastern Missouri, on Route 66 near Stanton. The standard tour is a guided walk of 80 minutes and 1¼ miles, out and back, on lit paths. Tours leave about every 20 to 30 minutes.
Individual visitors do not need to reserve. Reservations are only required for groups of 15 or more. The cave is not wheelchair accessible, and strollers are not allowed.
Our picks: St. Louis city tours
Meramec Caverns is an hour's drive from the city, and these three are city tours from St. Louis, not cave tours. The trolley is the short option, the driving tour adds hotel pickup and a river cruise.
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.
St. Louis driving tour with river cruise
- Hotel pickup in downtown
- Boat cruise (March to November)
- Narrated driving tour
Three hours around St. Louis by vehicle with a guide. It is a city tour and does not go to a cave.
Check availability →
St. Louis narrated trolley tour
- 90-minute highlights tour
- Air-conditioned trolley
A city tour in St. Louis, not a cave trip. It fits the day before or after a drive out to the caves.
Check availability →Meramec Caverns tours and day trips from St. Louis
Cave tours near Meramec Caverns and Missouri day trips, with live prices and availability.
Meramec Caverns tickets and prices
Admission per person in 2026.
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults and children from 12 | $30.50 |
| Children 5 to 11 | $16.50 |
| Children under 5 | Free |
| Military | $27.50 |
Prices can differ slightly at the ticket office, so confirm the rate before you plan the budget. Taxes and any booking fees depend on where you buy.
For most visitors, the standard cave tour is the one to buy. The 30-minute river boat ride and the zipline are separate offers and are covered below.
Tour times and opening hours by season
The cave follows a seasonal schedule. Closing time is not the time of the last tour, so arrive well before it.
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 January | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| 5 January to 27 February | Closed |
| 28 February to 30 April | Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| 1 to 22 May | Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| 23 May to 30 June | Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| 1 July to 9 August | Daily 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| 10 August to 7 September | Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| 8 to 30 September | Daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| 1 to 31 October | Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| November and December | Call ahead |
Because the cave is closed from early January to late February and runs on call-ahead hours in November and December, winter is the season to check twice. Check the current timetable before you go.
What to expect on the cave tour
The route runs out and back along lit paths with ramps, narrow stretches and one staircase. Wear sturdy shoes.
The air in the cave stays cool all year. The temperature is 58 to 60 °F (about 14 to 16 °C), so a light jacket is enough in summer.
The cave is not wheelchair accessible. If someone in your group has trouble with stairs or narrow paths, ask at the ticket office before you buy.
The Jesse James legend
Meramec Caverns is tied to the outlaw Jesse James, and finds in the cave are presented as a link to a hideout. That is a local legend and not a confirmed fact, and it makes a good story to hear on the tour.
Treat it as folklore, not as history. The cave is worth the visit for its formations either way.
River boat, zipline and river rules
Extras beside the cave tour.
River boat
The boat ride on the river lasts about 30 minutes. It runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and depends on the weather and the state of the river. Ask at the ticket office for the current price.
Zipline
The zipline is closed for the 2026 season. If you plan a later year, the usual rules are a minimum age of 10, a body weight of 80 to 250 lb, closed shoes and a reservation.
River rules
Private watercraft may not be launched or taken out at the site. Swimming is not advised because of undercurrents.
Getting to Meramec Caverns from St. Louis
Take Interstate 44 west to Exit 230 at Stanton. The cave is about 60 miles (97 km) west of St. Louis. That is a distance, not a guaranteed drive time, so check the route in a navigation app on the day.
The cave's postal town is Stanton, and the GPS address is 1135 MO-W, Sullivan, MO 63080. Both towns appear in hotel searches, but they point to the same cave. Do not confuse it with Fisher Cave in Meramec State Park, which is a different site with its own closures from 14 September 2026 to 14 May 2027.
See caves near St. Louis for the full day trip comparison with Onondaga Cave and the Route 66 stops.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other caves and planning pages.
Onondaga Cave State Park
A lit loop of about a mile, plus Cathedral Cave on summer weekends.
Caves near St. Louis
Meramec, Onondaga and the Route 66 stops compared.
Missouri cave tours
Guided walks, wild tours and lantern tours.
Weather and best time
Which months suit which cave.
Meramec Caverns: frequently asked questions
How long is the Meramec Caverns tour?
The standard tour takes about 80 minutes and covers 1¼ miles out and back on lit paths. Tours leave about every 20 to 30 minutes.
How much are Meramec Caverns tickets?
In 2026 the price is $30.50 for adults and children from 12, $16.50 for ages 5 to 11 and free under 5. Military visitors pay $27.50. Confirm the rate at the ticket office, because prices can differ slightly.
Do I need to reserve?
Reservations are only required for groups of 15 or more. Individual visitors and small groups can buy on arrival.
Is Meramec Caverns open in winter?
The cave is closed from 5 January to 27 February, with call-ahead hours in November and December. The cave is open daily in October from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Is the cave wheelchair accessible?
No. The tour has ramps, narrow paths and one staircase, and strollers are not allowed.
Is this the official Meramec Caverns website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the official website of Meramec Caverns, Missouri State Parks or any tour operator, so use the cave's own channels for the final word on tickets and hours.