Luray Caverns: An Awe Inspiring Marvel Within the Shenandoah Valley!
It has only taken me ten years to finally make it to the largest cavern in Eastern America, and I am only 2 hours away! But I made it!
When I first heard about Luray Caverns, I was intrigued. What are these imposing spikes coming from the ceiling? How did they form? How did anyone find this place? I had so many questions and wonders. So, when I was in Shenandoah this past summer, I made a pit stop here.
Below, I will discuss how the caverns were found, the formations, some of my favorite attractions, and my takeaways!
Andrew Campbell, William Campbell, and Benton Stebbins
What does a cool breeze have to do with the Luray Caverns? Well, on 13 August 1878, these three men had a feeling that there were caverns nearby because of the karst topography, which is an area in which rock deposits (limestone and dolomite in this case) have dissolved in some places, creating features like disappearing streams or sinkholes. That feeling of theirs came true when they felt a cool breeze rise from a slight depression on the hillside.
So, what does one do when they feel a cool breeze? Dig!
About five hours later, Andrew Campbell slid down into the caverns and saw a gigantic, magnificent column, which was later named the Washington Column after the first President of the United States.
Can you imagine digging a hole because you felt a little breeze and sliding into the legit dark unknown, stumbling across the largest cavern in Eastern America?
As I was walking through the caverns, I couldn’t imagine how sliding down into darkness with very little light would feel. Nowadays, there is light down there. But if they ever lost electricity? It would be pitch black! Just like when the founders first saw it! Crazy!
Stalagmites and Stalactites, Oh My!
Until visiting Luray, I didn't know what Stalagmites and Stalactites were; I just knew incredible formations were there. Let's get into formation!
Stalactites grow down from the cave ceiling.
Stalagmites they grow up from the cave floor.
There is a fun hack to remember, which the National Park Service came up with:
Stalactites have a "T" for the top.
Stalagmites have a "G" for ground.
Another word to remember is pillar, which is when a stalactite and a stalagmite grow together. Sometimes, you will hear this being called a column or stalagnate.
You are probably also wondering how they are formed. Simply put, they are produced by water.
As rainwater slowly but continuously seeps through the cracks in the rocks above, the droplets collect additional minerals from the mineral deposits around them and carry them downward. Over time, all of these droplets slowly form a stalactite if they remain at the top. But if the drops fall on the ground, a stalagmite is created. But if both grow in the same location, eventually, a pillar can form!”
Throughout your 1.25-mile walk on a paved walkway, you will see that some of the formations are different colors. Now, most scientists believe that the mineral content determines the color of speleothems, cave formations produced by water.
For example, pure calcite is white and practically colorless. A great example at Luray is Titania's Veil. Now, if you see shades of red and orange, the calcite is mixed with Iron and other minerals.
My Favorite Stops!
Dream Lake
It really is a dream and the most popular spot along the path. What makes it a "dream" is that the stalactites are mirrored, creating the illusion that thousands and thousands of stalagmites are there. But the real illusion is that you can't see the absolute bottom of this lake even though it is 20 inches at its deepest point.
Giant Redwood
From a lake to trees! Well, sorta. It's a flowstone, a sheetlike deposit of calcite. But it is named after the redwoods because of how impressive it stands. It is the oldest and the most extensive formation in the caverns. It stands 40 feet high and about 120 feet in circumference. Another fun fact is that it takes about 300 years for one inch of flowstone growth. This means Giant Redwood is over 7 million years old. Crazy!
Wishing Well
This water is the bluest I have seen since the Caribbean! This "Wishing Well" grants many wishes yearly, even if it’s only 6 feet deep. The coins and bills from more than fifty countries are thrown into the well and collected annually, then donated to many organizations such as the March of Dimes, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and Muscular Dystrophy Association. It takes about a week for the process to be finished.
Stalacpipe Organ
If you were not dazed with wonder when gazing at the stalactites, you would be after learning they can sing! How do they sing, you ask?
First, you need to know that The Stalacpipe Organ is the largest musical instrument in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. This organ can be played manually like it has in the past, but now it’s played by activating an automated system, just like if you had a child’s music box. With the help of this organ, it tapes the 37 different stalactites throughout the cavern.
The organ plays multiple times a day, and I was lucky to hear it, though I will warn you, you must stand close to one of the speakers to listen in. It's not as loud as you may think!
Takeaways!
I am so happy that I finally went on my camping trip to Shenandoah, so I have a couple of suggestions if you plan to go there yourself.
Buy your tickets online. Doing this will save you at least 20 minutes in line.
And go early because the parking lot is a zoo, and fewer people will be in the cavern. When I pulled in and looked at the building, I was shocked at how commercialized it is, but once you get underground, you will feel like you are in a different world vs. a zoo.
I recommend this place the next time you are in town. It takes about an hour or so to walk through it, but you can spend a few hours there if you take your time.
Let me know what your favorite parts of Luray Cavern are!