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Meramec Caverns

Nature & parks
In Sullivan, Missouri
1.9 mi from Route 66

Meramec Caverns is a 4.6-mile cave system in Sullivan, MO, about 2 miles off the old road in the Ozark hills near Stanton. It has long been counted among the major attractions of old Route 66, and it draws around 150,000 visitors a year, more than any other cave in Missouri. For many travellers it is one of the classic stops on the Missouri stretch of the drive.

What is Meramec Caverns?

The caverns formed as water slowly wore away thick beds of limestone over millions of years, leaving a long network of passages and rooms. Artifacts left by Native Americans before the arrival of Europeans have been found inside.

Today it runs as a commercial attraction, advertised by over fifty billboards on Interstate 44, the highway that replaced Route 66 through this region. There is wheelchair access, and admission is charged.

Visiting Meramec Caverns: tips

Allow at least an hour and a half for a visit. A motel sits about 0.3 miles away if you want to stay close. Meramec State Park is about 2.5 miles away, and the Maj. Gen. William S. Harney Summer Home, a stone house museum in Sullivan, is about 4.6 miles off. The billboards along the interstate are part of the experience, so watch for them as you approach.

Practical info

Address: 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080
Phone: +1 636-566-2283
Website: americascave.com
Hours: We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
On site & nearby