Cave Boat Tour
| Tour Price | |||
| Adult (13+) | $23.95 | ||
| Youth (4-12) | $16.95 | ||
| Child (3 and Under) | $5.95 |
Reservations are highly recommended.
BOAT TOURS
Cave Boat Tours
Step aboard for an underground adventure like no other! Travel through time as folklore and history come to life—discover Lost River Cave’s past as a Native American hunting ground, a Civil War campground, Jesse James’ hideout, and a roaring 1930s nightclub. Get ready for an unforgettable journey beneath the surface!
Reserve Your Tour In Advance
- Guarantees your spots are secured for the tour of your choosing!
- Recommended for large groups.
- A good option for avoiding lines and potential wait times during peak visitation periods.
| Schedule | Days | Times (CST) |
|---|---|---|
| Cave Boat Tour Times | Monday - Sunday | Click here to find available tour times. |
| Visitor Center & Gift Shop | Monday - Sunday | 8:30am - 6:30pm CT |
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day
Explore Underground
- 45 minute tour: The tour begins with a 20-minute guided walk along the river’s edge. When you arrive at the massive cave entrance, board the boat for a 25-minute ride through the cave.
- The boat tour is appropriate for all ages.
- Please dress for your comfort and for outdoor weather conditions.
- Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended.
- Personal flotation devices (PFD’s) are provided for infant to adult.
- No pets allowed on boat tour.
- Tour is not handicap accessible.
Have more questions?
Feel free to call 270.393.0077 or click here to visit our FAQ webpage.
Walk-ins welcomed, but reservations are highly recommended.
- Simply check-in at the front desk located in our Visitor Center during business hours.
- Tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis unless advance reservations are made.
For travel agencies, tour groups and parties of 25 or more, please submit the form below. Note: Reply emails can sometimes land in one’s spam folder or junk email.
For educators (including homeschoolers) and scout groups interested in booking field trips, please click here.
Due to the natural, unalterable features of the cave, The Lost River Cave Boat Tour is not accessible for individuals using wheelchairs or scooters. Guests with walkers or canes must be able to navigate stairs, ramps, and the boarding process independently. Park staff cannot assist with mobility aids.
Key Information:
- The 45-minute tour includes a 20-minute guided walk to the cave entrance and a 25-minute boat ride.
- The path to the cave features a 30-degree slope, with 15 steps along the walk, that guests must descend and later ascend at the end of the tour.
- At the entrance, guests will navigate 6 steps before receiving instructions and flotation devices.
- Boarding the boat involves stepping down into the boat, which may sway with movement.
- Water depth along the tour is 4 to 5 feet.
- In one section of the cave, the ceiling is very low, and guests will need to bend forward (chin to knee) as the boat moves through this area.
- On request, vehicles may access the cave entrance at designated times.
- A free video of the tour is available at the Visitors Center for those who prefer an above-ground experience.
We aim to ensure that all guests have an enjoyable visit, and we encourage you to consider these factors before planning your tour.
Available only when Cave Boat Tours are canceled due to high water, this guided walking tour takes you to the historic entrance of Lost River Cave. Starting at the Visitors Center, stroll through the scenic Valley to the famous karst window once featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Follow the Riverwalk to the grand Cave entrance and step inside the historic Cavern Nite Club. Along the way, your guide will bring the adventure to life with fascinating stories of geology, history, and folklore.
Tour Pricing
- $10 (ages 4+)
- Free (ages 3 and under)
