EDUCATION

enrich lives through connections with nature

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” –Albert Einstein

Schools

Field trips for K-12 students are available Monday - Friday, Labor Day - Memorial Day (excluding Spring and Fall Break)

We are currently accepting reservations for our 2024 Spring Season, through April.

Cave Boat Tour

Learn how water transforms rock on a guided boat tour of Lost River Cave.

Students will walk down to the cave with a tour guide, learn about how the valley was formed, visit Blue Hole #4, and then get into a boat to enter the cave itself.

On the boat
Putting on life jackets

This is our most requested experience.     All other programs build on the boat tour. 

Educational Programs

Searching for gemstones

Geology Rocks!

Explore rock and mineral types
through a hands-on lesson,
experiment, and sluice for
gemstones to take home.

Playing a game behind the habitat

Birds of the Wetland

Experience how adaptations
help animals survive in their
habitats through a wetland
walk, touchable samples,
and kinesthetic game.

Finding a cache

Geocaching in Karst

Encounter unique karst
topography on a guided hike
and high- tech scavenger
hunt on the valley trails.

Self-Guided Activities

Building in the Playscape

Nature Explore Playscape

In a playground of all-natural elements, kids can use their imaginations to explore and create a world of their own.

Stickers in the Gift Shop

Gift Shop

Proceeds from the Gift Shop provide funding for conservation of the 72-acre park. Kid-friendly prices and merchandise available.

Hiking the trails

Hike the Trails

Several miles of hiking trails are free and open to the public. Resources for school hikes include maps, recommended routes and self-guided bingo activities to engage kids.

Eating lunch

Picnic Tables

Bring your own sack lunch and enjoy a picnic under the trees!

School Boat Tour

Small Group Student

(Less than 20 students)

$15 per student

Local Student 

(More than 20 students)

$10 per student

Long Distance Student 

(More than 20 students)

$15 per student

Adult

(Over 18)

$20 each

Child

(Under 5)

$5.95 each

Educational Programs

Small Group Student

(Less than 20 students)

$100 flat fee

Local Student 

(More than 20 students)

$5 per student

Long Distance Student 

(More than 20 students)

$10 per student

Special Notes:

  • There is a $10 per student minimum.
  • School rates are available for K-12 students, during the school year, Monday – Friday, excluding peak Spring and Fall break dates.

Fill out this form to request your field trip today!

Be prepared with a second choice of date — Spring and Fall months fill up quickly.

Need more information? Please submit the below form or call 270.393.0077.

Scouts

Lost River Cave continues to support the mission and vision of Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America, connecting youth to nature as we work together to build a better world.

The park serves as a wonderful site for Eagle Scout Capstone Projects and Girl Scout Gold Award Projects.

If you would like to reach out to us about using the park for a scout project, please use the “Contact Us” form below.

In our commitment to scouting, we provide our famous Cave Boat Tour at a discounted rate for scout groups and their leaders.

  • $10 per Scout
  • $20 per Adult

Note: Minimum 8 Scouts and 2 Adults. Discounted tours available November – February, excluding peak holiday times.

To book your troop’s discounted Cave Boat Tour today, please fill out the form below. A member of our team will reach out to you soon.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • :

In addition to our Cave Boat Tour, we would also like to offer scouts the opportunity to participate in a number of self-guided activities around the park.

  • Nearly two miles of walking trails!
  • Our new Geocaching program has been revised to accommodate even simpler smartphone usage. No app download or log in required! Come see us at the Gift Shop or give us a call for more information.
  • Scouts of all ages enjoy our Gem Mining experience where they’ll find Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Pyrite, Amber, or even Horn Coral. Purchase your own bag inside the Gift Shop. Several sizes available.
  • Bingo! Visit the Gift Shop to check out your Wildflower, Bird, or Tree Bingo boards. Each bingo sheet has photos of the species found at the park along with their names to help you identify and know what you see.

Are your scouts ready to give back to the community? We are always looking for volunteers, and groups are encouraged to participate together.

Check out our current opportunities here!

Need more information? Please submit the below form or call 270.393.0077.