worley's cave tour

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Worley’s Cave

Half day nc caves adventure.

On this High Mountain Expeditions North Carolina Caves Adventure into Worley’s Cave, you will be guided into a mystical under world of extraordinary formations. This caving adventure will have you crawling through small openings, walking through underground rivers and climbing over boulders.

Worley’s Cave is considered to be a beginner/intermediate cave, so no previous experience is required; you need only the desire to enjoy yourself. A Worley’s Cave adventure is the perfect adventure for kids and adults of all ages. Boy Scout groups enjoy a fun day of mud, rocks, headlights, and wonder while exploring the cave every year as part of their adventure programs!

High Mountain Expeditions professionally trained guides will guide you through passages and allow you to explore the cave. Just like all High Mountain Expeditions adventures, the guides truly make this caving adventure special. Our guests have the unique opportunity to experience Worley’s Cave as most could only dream with the expert support of our experienced High Mountain Expeditions cave guides.

9:50 AM Check in at High Mountain Expeditions Banner Elk outpost, located at Ski Country Sports

9:55 Complete Liability and Acknowledgement of Risk Release Waiver

10:00 Load vehicles and depart for Worley’s Cave

10:55 Arrive at High Mountain Expeditions Worley’s Cave trailhead

11:00 Guests are issued all the necessary professional spelunking equipment

11:10 Final equipment check and detailed safety and cave orientation speech

11:20 Begin short hike to the mouth of Worley’s Cave

11:30 Learn proper cave etiquette before entering cave

11:35 Begin your Worley’s Cave adventure

2:35 PM After exploring the cave arrive back at the cave entrance

2:45 Arrive back at High Mountain Expeditions vehicle

2:50 Change clothes and celebrate your successful adventure

3:00 Load vehicles and depart for Banner Elk

3:45 Arrive back at High Mountain Expeditions Banner Elk outpost, Ski Country Sports

3:50 Meet and greet with your guides

*Note: This itinerary is provided as a sample. Actual times and activities are subject to change as a result of weather conditions and guest preferences.

Trip Details

• Trip Time: 3 Hours
• Trip Mileage: 2 to 4 Miles
• Minimum Age: 7
• Begins & Ends: Banner Elk, NC

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Worley's Cave

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

WORLEY'S CAVE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (9.99 mi) The Bristol Hotel
• (9.88 mi) The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
• (9.39 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites Bristol
• (4.86 mi) South Holston River Lodge
• (9.38 mi) Hampton Inn Bristol
• (2.64 mi) Ridgewood Barbecue
• (9.99 mi) Vivian's Table
• (9.99 mi) Blackbird Bakery
• (5.38 mi) Mad Greek Restaurant
• (9.86 mi) Delta Blues BBQ

Attractions

Worley’s cave.

• 461 Timber Ridge Rd, Bluff City, TN 37618

Worley’s Cave, also known as Morrill Cave, lies just outside of Boone across the Tennessee border. It is the second longest cave in the state of Tennessee at a whopping 4.4 miles in total length. It is a non-lit cavern that’s path is lit only by those who venture in its depths (i.e. headlamps, lanterns, flashlights, etc.). With no artificial light to be had, Worley’s Cave allows for an authentic spelunking experience unlike some of your more popular “spelunking” excursions across the Appalachian Mountains. A solid choice for those adventurers who never want to cancel their weekend plans due to good old Mother Nature’s misfortunes.

ATTRACTIONS

Worley's Cave

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Worley's Cave - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• (15.98 km) The Bristol Hotel
• (15.80 km) The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
• (15.03 km) Fairfield Inn & Suites Bristol
• (7.78 km) South Holston River Lodge
• (15.01 km) Hampton Inn Bristol
• (4.22 km) Ridgewood Barbecue
• (15.99 km) Vivian's Table
• (15.99 km) Blackbird Bakery
• (8.61 km) Mad Greek Restaurant
• (15.77 km) Delta Blues BBQ

Worley's Cave

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Worley's Cave - Things You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (15.98 km) The Bristol Hotel
• (15.80 km) The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
• (15.03 km) Fairfield Inn & Suites Bristol
• (7.78 km) South Holston River Lodge
• (15.01 km) Hampton Inn Bristol
• (4.22 km) Ridgewood Barbecue
• (15.99 km) Vivian's Table
• (15.99 km) Blackbird Bakery
• (8.61 km) Mad Greek Restaurant
• (15.77 km) Delta Blues BBQ

WORLEY’S CAVE

Trip Profile

Worley's cave, bluff city, tn, minimum age.

Don’t miss out on an exciting caving adventure during your visit! Temperatures within Worley’s Cave remain constant at about 55 degrees, making it a great year-round adventure. Explore the beauty of natural cave features and formations and learn a bit about the life and geology of an undeveloped, living limestone cave. Worley’s Cave requires no prior caving experience. There are no mandatory tight passages with prolonged crawling. We provide all of the gear and an experienced guide.

• USA Raft provides all the gear required.
• An experienced guide on each trip.
• Expect to get muddy and walk through an underground stream.
• There is climbing up and down.

Spend An Incredible Night Underground In This Tennessee Cave

Meghan Kraft

Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.

More by this Author

Tennessee isn’t known as “Rocky Top” for nothing. The state sits on a solid foundation of bedrock, one that’s struck through with myriad caves and cave systems at its heart. Worley’s Cave is located in Bluff City, Tennessee, a historic and incredible natural landmark that’s great for all sorts of adventurous folk. Whether you’re looking to camp or explore, a visit to Worley’s Cave should be way up there on your bucket list.

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OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Bristol Underground

Bristol Caverns

Beautiful and majestic Bristol Caverns – far below the earth’s surface – is a unique and exciting experience you’ll never forget. Paved, well lit walkways wind through the vaulted chambers and along the banks of the ancient Underground River that carved these remarkable caverns from t he hard core of the earth 200 to 400 million years ago. In the frontier days, Indians used the Underground River as an attack and escape route in their raids on settlers. Stealing into the area by way of the Underground River and the caverns, they swooped down on unsuspecting families, then disappeared as if swallowed up by the earth.You will be retracing the same warrior paths while exploring the vast rooms and arches, columns, and natural stone formations of varying size and kinds. These formations, millions of years old, display rich veins of minerals which give the formations beautiful colors of red, blue, gray, brown and sparkling white. Stalactites and stalagmites, some larger than tree trunks and others smaller than straws, fascinate and give play to the Bristol Caverns. Where some of these formation have grown together, massive columns have been formed reaching from the floor to the ceiling of the lofty rooms. With every view, nature’s artistry is at its best and can be seen in the remarkable tumbling cascades and billowing draperies – all of solid stone.

Beautiful and majestic Bristol Caverns

The tours itself takes you to all three levels of the caverns – from Mayor Preston’s Chamber in the upper section to the winding banks of the Underground River 180 feet below on the cavern floor. Along the Underground River, you will be dazzled by dramatic displays of formations reflected in the stream’s waters. You can also peer over Lover’s Leap, view the breathtaking Bridal Veil formation and stare in wonder at the dazzling formations of Entrance Hall. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Learn More About Bristol Caverns

Appalachian Caverns

For many years, the cavern lay in silence broken only by the sound of the water, the animals that called it home, and the occasional human who made their way into it. It was home to many wild animals, used by local people as a home, celebrated by the Native Americans as a place to hold special meetings, a weekend hangout for local kids and had many other varied uses down through the years. In 1991, it opened to the public as a show cave for the first time in its long and storied history. Since that time, the caverns have had many visitors experience its magnificent chambers. It is a bat sanctuary for the endangered gray bat, as well as home to six other species in the world underneath that many have forgotten exists.

Archaeological evidence released in February of 2006 revealed that the caverns were used by Early Woodland Native Americans over 1300 years ago. Archeologists found burnt firewood located in a fire pit that has been radiocarbon dated to 675 A.D. They also found pottery, arrowheads, and other evidence of habitation.

Appalachian Caverns: take a timeless stroll through the ever-changing caverns

The log cabin located on the property was built in 1777. Historical documents located in the Sullivan County Archives indicate the caverns and cabin were used as a stopover point and shelter during the harsh winter months as people were making their way westward. Due to the size of the cavern it could house larger groups of people and because of the wind flow, fires could be built for heat and cooking. With the abundance of bat dung (an important ingredient in the making of gunpowder at the time) and the fairly consistent temperature, this made the cavern a good place to stay when the weather was cold.

According to several historians, the caverns have been used by mankind from the earliest times man set foot on in this country. The importance of the name the cave was given ties to William Linville, a land agent for Lord Granville who served the King of England. With such pioneers and trailblazers having ties to the cavern many might say this was yet another point leading into the new world and the westward push began. In those times, the cave served as a good place to winter and a safe place to avoid enemies. Our Native Americans had already set up a community and the settlers used many of their ways to survive. The cavern is warm in the winter and cool in the summer compared to outside. The historic evidence continues to emerge through research.

The cavern was used as a hideout for troops during the battles that covered this land. In addition to previously mentioned uses, it has also served as a hospital to treat the wounded, and later on, the cavern was used to produce moonshine. With the flowing water and great ventilation it was an ideal location.

Come visit with us and take a timeless stroll through the ever-changing caverns. Enjoy a picnic at our picnic area or camp in the campground. For the more adventurous, sign up for an Explorer Tour or Wild Tour and do some crawling around in the undeveloped areas of the cavern. No matter whether you spend a couple of hours or a few days in the cavern, you’re sure to see wondrous beauty.

Learn More About Appalachian Caverns

Worley’s Cave

Worley’s Cave is located just a few miles from Bristol, Tennessee in Bluff City, and is touted as one of the best natural spelunking spots this side of the Mississippi. It has over 4,000 feet of caverns and tunnels waiting to be explored. See amazing formations, columns, stalactites, and stalagmites while you are visiting. This is not your ordinary walk-through cave with lights and handrails. Worleys Cave3Worley’s is a living, wet cave in all its natural beauty. If you have never been before, you will need a guide. We offer guided Worley’s Cave Adventure Trips that are affordable for the entire family, scout troop, or youth/college group. You can find out more on the history of the Cave here. Schedule an adventure trip today and discover the wonder of the underworld at a constant, year-round 55 degrees – a great vacation adventure for any time or season!

Worley’s Cave – one of the best natural spelunking spots this side of the Mississippi

Camping is great fun and so is exploring a cave, but how about camping inside a cave? Now that would be a story to tell all your friends about! Better yet, bring them along! At Worley’s Cave, you can have a Camp AND Cave Adventure: Friday night camping in the Cave, with a Saturday morning cave adventure OR have your adventure on Saturday, camp in the cave that evening, and head home on Sunday. We will fit your package to your needs. We provide this Camp and Cave Package if you want the “rugged and raw” experience of sleeping in a cave for only $80 per person.

No fire is allowed in the cave, any warmth will be provided by our lanterns. It is a constant 55 degrees in Worley’s Cave year round, so bring layers of clothes to keep you warm. No tent is needed, just a tarp for the ground and a sleeping bag. Worleys Cave4Well ok, you might need a few more things, but you can contact us at [email protected] for more details.

If you would like to camp on the grounds under the stars, all you have to do is pay the landowner $5 CASH per person for parking and you can camp in the meadow. There is also a port-a-jon, fire pit, wood in the forest you can use for kindling, and a creek to wash up in.

Learn More About Worley’s Cave

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The 7 Best Caves & Caverns in North Carolina

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial & privacy policies .

There are almost 900 caverns and caves in North Carolina, most of which are located in either the mountains of Western North Carolina or the NC piedmont. But only a few of them are open to the public.

That being said, the accessible caves in NC are an impressive collection.

Better still, these NC caves are sprinkled throughout the region. So at least one or two are likely to be near whichever North Carolina mountain town you’re visiting.

There are several caverns located near Asheville , including the most famous caverns in NC: Linville Caverns.  Boone is also near Linville Caverns, as well as the caves of Grandfather Mountain.

Mount Airy— the small town home of Andy Griffith—is near Tory’s Den in Hanging Rock State Park. And Hendersonville ’s Bat Cave is located just a few miles from the iconic Chimney Rock and Lake Lure .

In other words, from north to south, the best opportunities for caving in North Carolina are less than an hour away from one another. They’ll also provide a completely different way to see the state– from below!

Read for our guide to the best caves and caverns in North Carolina, including details on the entry fees and main attractions of each one. 

READ MORE:  The 10 Hiking Essentials Packing List for the Blue Ridge Mountains

Best Caves & Caverns in North Carolina Guide

• Linville Caverns
• Indian House Cave
• Worley’s Cave
• Bon Ami Mine
• Boone’s Cave
• Tory’s Den

Caverns Near Boone NC

Located in the North Carolina High Country, Boone has an expansive array of great restaurants ,  breweries , Christmas Tree Farms and tourist attractions.

It’s also near many of  North Carolina’s best snow skiing resorts , and you can hop on the  Blue Ridge Parkway  for access to Grandfather Mountain State Park, Moses Cone Memorial Park , and the town of Blowing Rock .

In short, these North Carolina caves aren’t the only attraction to be found around Boone. But, make no mistake, there are some beautiful caverns to behold!

READ MORE:  20 Best Things to Do in Boone NC (Blue Ridge Parkway MM 291.8)

1. Linville Caverns

Address: 19929 US 221 North, Marion, NC 28752 •  Phone: 828-756-4171 

Hours: Thurs – Mon, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Entry Fee: $12.00 per adult, $10.00 per child (5-12), $11.00 for age 62+

Official Website

More or less located right between Boone and Asheville (about an hour from each), Linville Caverns is a short detour from the Blue Ridge Parkway near the towns of Linville Falls and Little Switzerland.

Linville Caverns has been a tourist attraction in the region since the 1930s, with incremental improvements over the decades.

The limestone caverns were formed in deposits of dolomite at the foot of Humpback Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains .

The cave is full of stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations. It was also used as a hideout for deserters during the Civil War , and you can still see 160-year-old graffiti on the rocks today!

Self-proclaimed as “the only show cavern in North Carolina ,” the cave is open to tours all year-round.

Visitors in the  fall and winter months can expect to see tri-colored bats and little brown bats, which annually take up residence in the cavern. You may also see trout swimming in a spring inside the cave. 

READ MORE:  Things to Do at the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area (Near Linville Falls NC)

2. Indian House Cave

Address: 4198 N.C. 105 N, Banner Elk, NC 28604 • Phone: 828-963-9522

Entry Fee: Free via State Park, $22 adults and $9 children via Attraction

Indian House Cave is found in Grandfather Mountain State Park, which is home to one of the most iconic summits in the  North Carolina mountains .

Unfortunately, due to white-nose syndrome threatening bat populations, the cave may be closed to visitors.

Technically, Indian House Cave isn’t really a cave at all, but rather a shelter beneath a rocky outcrop. 

But it is considered an important Native American archeological site, and can be accessed via a detour from the Grandfather Trail.

It’s located near Attic Window Peak, so the quickest way to it is also via the private Grandfather Mountain attraction (which costs $22 for adults and $9 for children), which also includes access to the Mile-High Swinging Bridge .

The state park  trails are free to use, but the trek to the caves would require several hours of strenuous hiking from the nearest access point, which is the Profile Parking Area.

READ MORE:  Things to Do at Grandfather Mountain State Park in Banner Elk NC

3. Worley’s Cave

461 Timber Ridge Rd, Bluff City, TN 37618 •  866-872-7238

Entry Fee: $5.00

In reality, Worley’s Cave is located just across the border in Tennessee, not North Carolina (which is why it’s still open, unlike most NC caves). 

But it’s an easy day-trip adventure to Worley’s Cave from the NC High Country area.

Sometimes referred to as Morrill Cave, Worley’s Cave is more than 500 million years old and over four miles long, making it the second-longest cave in Tennessee .

The paths around the cave are unlit unless you bring headlamps and flashlights. So Worley’s Cave offers an authentic spelunking experience that’s easy enough for novices to enjoy.

That being said, a decent level of fitness– such as being able to lift your own body weight onto a kitchen counter– is necessary for the cave tours .

It’s possible to book a guided tour of Worley’s Cave with operators in Banner Elk ( High Mountain Expeditions ) or in Boone ( River & Earth Adventures ).

READ MORE:  The 15 Best Things to Do in Banner Elk NC

Asheville Caves

Asheville NC is the most metropolitan hub for tourists looking to explore Western North Carolina .

Asheville’s historic downtown offers fantastic restaurants , brewpubs , and museums, while also providing easy access to a ton of NC state parks , waterfalls , hiking trails , and cabin rentals .

Included in the list of great Asheville attractions are several cool caves and caverns .

As already mentioned, Linville Caverns is about an hour away, but there are other Asheville caves to visit.

READ MORE:  The 30 Best Things to Do in Asheville NC

4. Bat Cave

The Nature Conservancy, Mountains Office NC

PO Box 17519, Asheville, NC 28816 •  Phone: 828-350-1431

Located south of Asheville in Henderson County, Bat Cave is the namesake feature of the 186-acre Bat Cave Preserve, as well as the small, unincorporated community of Bat Cave NC.

Currently closed to visitors, the Bat Cave is the largest granite fissure in the US, and it was once home to several difference species of bats. Unfortunately, most of them are now gone due to white-nose syndrome.

The main chamber in Bat Cave is enormous, stretching over 300 feet long and opening some 85 feet high. There are other passages in the cave system that are mapped at nearly 1.5 miles long. 

In addition to bats, the cave is said to be home to rattlesnakes in the wintertime.

The Bat Cave is now owned and protected by the North Carolina Nature Conservancy , which does not allow tours of the cave or surrounding area. In short, no visitors are currently allowed. 

READ MORE:  The 15 Best Things to Do in Hendersonville NC

5. Bon Ami Mine

331 McKinney Mine Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 •  Phone: 828-765-6463

Entry Fee: $10.00 for adults, $8.00 children 5-12, free for children 4 & under

Okay, it’s true that a mine is not quite the same thing as a natural cave. But North Carolina is replete with gem mines, and they can be equally fun to explore. 

And since most NC caves and caverns have been closed to protect the bats, we’ll just roll with it on this one.

Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 334, the Bon Ami Mine is found at Emerald Village near Little Switzerland NC . It’s part of the NC Mining Museum , and the price of admission includes a souvenir booklet for a self-guided tour of it.

The Bon Ami Mine has veins of smoky quartz and countless flecks of mica, and there’s some antique mining equipment on display.

You may also be able to spot fish in the deep mine waters, and swallows flying in and out of the mine’s entrance.

There’s also a nighttime black-light mine tour offered ($20 for adults) that uses ultraviolet lights to make fluorescent minerals– particularly Hyalite Opal– glow.

READ MORE:  Exploring Emerald Village: North Carolina Gem Mines in Little Switzerland

Caves in the NC Piedmont

East of I-77 in the North Carolina Piedmont, there are a couple of caves that make for great features when visiting their accompanying parks.

In other words, these aren’t attractions that have organized tours, but they are worth checking out.

If you’re traveling to Mount Airy , Winston-Salem, or Greensboro NC, these are the closest caves available.

READ MORE:  The 15 Best Treehouse Rentals in the North Carolina Mountains

6. Boone’s Cave

3552 Boone’s Cave Rd, Lexington, NC 27292 •  Phone: 336-752-2322

Entry Fee: Free

Found in Boone’s Cave Park, Boone’s Cave has a bit of a mysterious history.

Some folks believe that the Boone family–as in Daniel Boone– spent their first year in North Carolina at (or near) Boone’s Cave.

No historically documented evidence exists to support this local legend . But it has been widely documented that the Boones did spend time in Davidson County, where Boone’s Cave is located.

Boone’s Cave Park encompasses more than 100 acres, and offers 7.5 miles of hiking trails to enjoy. The park also has fishing, disc golf, campgrounds , and phenomenal North Carolina wildflowers .

To access the cave, take the steps from the parking area at the end of Boone’s Cave Road.

It’s a very short descent that can be grouped with the park’s  hiking trails to make for a good day hike.

READ MORE:  The Hickory Ridge Living History Museum & “Horn in the West” in Boone NC

7. Tory’s Den

1790 Hanging Rock Park Rd, Danbury, NC 27016 •  Phone: 336-593-8480

Hanging Rock State Park has 20-plus miles of hiking trails, a lake open to fishing and swimming, paddling on the Dan River, rock climbing at Cook’s Wall, a park museum, and of course the iconic “Hanging Rock.”

In other words, its 20-foot-deep cave— Tory’s Den— often gets overshadowed by the park’s other features.

However, the walk to Tory’s Den features both the cave and Tory’s Falls, the tallest of the waterfalls in the park (240 feet), making it worthy of recognition.

Aside from being a noteworthy natural attraction, Tory’s Den is also of some historical interest. Some historians believe that the cave was a hideout for Tories during the US Revolutionary War.

Tory’s Den can be accessed from the Tory’s Den Parking Lot, located at 1185 Charlie Young Road.

The trailhead for the  Tory’s Den Cave & Waterfall Trail is at the east end of the lot. —Jonathon Engels; lead photo of Linville Caverns by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about the  Leave No Trace   principles of responsible environmental stewardship. 

Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. 

Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie.

When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic!

Jonathon Engels

After visiting North Carolina for the first time, Senior Writer Jonathon Engels and wife Emma spent 2 years exploring Western NC in search of a homestead property. They first lived in Brevard, where Jonathon taught writing at Blue Ridge Community College and extensively explored the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. For the last several years they have lived just off the BRP near Elkin, Southwest Virginia, and the NC High Country. The couple also volunteers with the Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention, the Elkin Valley Trail Association, and Reeves Downtown School of Music.

• United States

Spelunk Worley's Cave

Bluff City, Tennessee

Elevation Gain

Description

Added by Sam Dennis

Spelunk a cave that is over 550 million years old and the lengthiest known cave in Eastern Tennessee.

Worley’s Cave, also known as Morrill Cave, lies just outside of Boone across the Tennessee border. It is the second longest cave in the state of Tennessee at a whopping 4.4 miles in total length. It is a non-lit cavern that’s path is lit only by those who venture in its depths (i.e. headlamps, lanterns, flashlights, etc.). With no artificial light to be had, Worley’s Cave allows for an authentic spelunking experience unlike some of your more popular “spelunking” excursions across the Appalachian Mountains. A solid choice for those adventurers who never want to cancel their weekend plans due to good old Mother Nature's misfortunes.

Address via GPS: 461 Timber Ridge Rd, Bluff City, TN 37618

The above address is to the landowner’s home, a white single story house (see attached Google Maps image), that owns the rights to the cave. He is a very friendly fellow that only charges $5 per head as an entry fee into the cave. You will need to fill out a sign-in sheet for a total head count for safety reasons before starting your spelunking adventure. The cave is located directly behind the landowner’s home, accessed via a dirt road just past the house. Park your car and head downhill on the marked path for a few hundred feet to the cave’s mouths. The cave may be accessed via two different entry/exit points, an Upper Dry Mouth or the Lower Wet Mouth, both of which are located directly beside one another. Typically, as in every time I have gone, our group enters the cave via the Upper Dry Mouth and exits via the Lower Wet Mouth.

Hint: The “Wet Mouth” is a streamed path that flows directly beside the “Dry Mouth” for the majority of the time in the cave and is your ticket straight back towards daylight, when you so choose.

Upon entering the Upper Dry Mouth, you will notice that the cave stays at a relative constant temperature, around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cave is fairly easy to navigate from a directional standpoint. Head straight and when you want to venture back, you can either take the same route from which you came or venture down the slow flowing stream to the Lower Wet Mouth for a hastier exit. Personally, I would always suggest taking the Lower Wet Mouth exit for a safer transition out of the cave due to the stream's relatively flat surface. The journey into the cave can be somewhat physically demanding with some steep and slippery embankments along the way.  A word of warning , all adventurers should be able to lift their own body weight up, and for those who cannot, it is a good idea to pack some rope and some trusty friends that can provide some help up said embankments with the rope. Remember, things that go up must come down… with that said, you will get plenty of experience cave sliding, so pack and dress appropriately! 

Make sure to carry plenty of batteries and multiple independent light sources in the case of a malfunction!

Go with a group, never attempt to do this adventure on your own.

Cave Details:

• Less than half a mile in, the upper and lower levels junction into a 75’ wide, 100’ high, and 250’ long chamber. 
• The first chamber contains two large stalagmites and multiple other smaller formations, along with a compilation of rim stone pools.
• The lower level cave stream flows through the first chamber, disappearing underneath the rock at the relative northeast end.
• Just past the climb from the first large chamber, is another chamber that inhabits a massive flow-stone drapery that is 35’ wide by 15’high. 
• Worley’s cave averages a path size around 25’ wide by 15’ high.

Have fun, leave no trace, and be safe!

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Spelunk Worley's Cave Reviews

Betheny Keller

Best cave in the area

This is one of the best caves in the Tri-Cities for spelunking. It is much more untouched than Appalachian or Bristol Caverns. The cave has so much room to explore and traverse. There is a pretty well traveled trail through the cave, but it should not be relied upon as the only guidance. Going with someone who knows their way around would be advised for the first few adventures. There is a creek that runs through the cave so sections can get really muddy when it has rained. There is a porta-potty at the parking area and an admission fee charged.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Kayak or SUP the South Fork

Lake Ridge Trail and Lakeside Trail

Lake Ridge Trail to Cross Ridge Trail Loop

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Emmett Trail

Tailwater Trail

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Stavropol Krai, Russia

The capital city of Stavropol krai: Stavropol .

Stavropol Krai - Overview

Stavropol Krai is a federal subject of Russia located in the central part of Ciscaucasia and on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus in the North-Caucasian Federal District. Stavropol is the capital city of the region.

The population of Stavropol Krai is about 2,780,200 (2022), the area - 66,160 sq. km.

Stavropol krai flag

Stavropol krai coat of arms.

Stavropol krai map, Russia

Stavropol krai latest news and posts from our blog:.

12 January, 2020 / Wooden Church of the Nativity of Mary in Rozhdestvenskaya .

2 December, 2019 / Tsvetnik - the Oldest Park in Pyatigorsk .

16 June, 2019 / Abandoned Uranium Mine in the Stavropol Region .

6 May, 2019 / Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Stavropol .

30 September, 2011 / Beautiful nature of Stavropol krai .

More posts..

News, notes and thoughts:

11 January, 2021   / The Kochubeevskaya wind farm with an installed capacity of 210 MW, the largest in Russia, has been commissioned in Stavropol Krai. With a total area of about 200 hectares, it includes 84 wind turbines, each 150 meters high, the length of the blades - 50 meters.

History of Stavropol Krai

The most ancient archaeological finds date back to the 4th millennium BC. The territory of the present Stavropol region was successively part of the state of the Scythians (the 7th - 5th centuries BC), Sarmatians (the 3rd century BC - the 3rd century AD), Huns (the 4th - 5th centuries AD).

Later, from 620 to 969, this territory was part of the ancient state called the Khazar Khaganate. Approximately in the 8th century, with the weakening of the Khazar Kaganate, the medieval state of the Alans appeared here. In 1238-1239, a significant part of the plain Alania was captured by the Mongols, and this state as a political entity ceased to exist.

In 1556, the Russian troops took Astrakhan and opened the way to the North Caucasus and the Caspian Sea. In Ciscaucasia, the interests of Russia, the Ottoman Empire, the Crimean Khanate, and Iran collided.

In 1777, according to the decree of Catherine II, the Azov-Mozdok defensive line was founded, which gave rise to colonization of the Ciscaucasia and the North Caucasus. The territory of the Stavropol region became part of Astrakhan oblast. In November 1777, the fortress called Stavropolskaya was founded. In 1782, about 500 retired soldiers lived there.

More historical facts…

In 1785, in connection with the development of Ciscaucasia, the Caucasian guberniya (province) was created that included the Caucasian and Astrakhan regions. Since that time, Stavropol officially became one of the six county-level towns of the Caucasus region.

With the development of the Ciscaucasia, Stavropol was gaining an increasing importance as an important trade and transit center. It became a kind of the main gate of the Caucasus. In 1822, the Caucasian province was transformed into an oblast and Stavropol became its center. After the defeat of the Decembrist uprising, a lot of its participants were sent here. In 1837 - 1841, Mikhail Lermontov, exiled to the Caucasus, visited Stavropol several times.

In 1847, the Caucasian oblast was reformed into Stavropol gubernia. With the formation of the Kuban and Terek Cossack regions and the end of the Caucasian War, the military-political and economic importance of Stavropol significantly reduced.

In 1919, the Stavropol province was occupied by the Bolsheviks and included in the territory of the North Caucasian Soviet Republic. As a result of the Second Kuban campaign the region went under the control of the Volunteer Army.

In October 1924, the North Caucasian region was formed and Stavropol gubernia was reformed into a district within the region. On January 10, 1934, the North Caucasian Krai was divided into the Azovo-Chernomorsky and North Caucasian. The town of Pyatigorsk became the center of North Caucasian Krai. In March 1936, North Caucasian Krai was reformed and, on its territory, Ordzhonikidze Krai with the center in Ordzhonikidze (Stavropol) was formed.

During the Second World War, from August 1942 to January 1943, the region was occupied by the German troops. In 1943, Ordzhonikidze Krai was renamed Stavropol Krai. In December 1956, the first part of the Stavropol-Moscow gas pipeline with a length of 1,300 km was commissioned (at that time, it was the longest gas pipeline in Europe).

During the 1970s-1980s, 56 new enterprises were opened in the region, among them the Prikumsky Plastics Plant - the largest chemical plant in the region, four power units at the Stavropol power station, and new capacities at the Nevinnomyssk enterprise “Azot”.

On July 3, 1991, Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Region withdrew from Stavropol Krai and became the Karachay-Cherkess Soviet Socialist Republic. On April 21, 1992, it became the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia of the Russian Federation.

Steppe landscapes of Stavropol Krai

Stavropol Krai landscape

Author: Valeriy Kharchenko

In the fields of the Stavropol region

Author: Dvornikov Mikhail

Stavropol Krai nature

Author: Zhukova Elena

Stavropol Krai - Features

Stavropol Krai stretches for 285 km from north to south and 370 km from west to east. The climate is temperate continental. The average temperature in January is minus 5 degrees Celsius (in mountains - down to -10), in July - plus 22-25 degrees Celsius (in mountains - +14).

The main natural resources are natural gas, oil, polymetals containing uranium, building materials. Mineral medicinal waters are a special riches of the region.

The Caucasian Mineral Waters is Russia’s largest resort region, which has no analogues in the whole of Eurasia for the richness and diversity of mineral waters and therapeutic mud. The healing properties of “narzan”, one of the popular local mineral waters, are known throughout Russia. The name can be translated into Russian as “Hercules’ beverage”, “Water of Hercules”.

The largest cities and towns are Stavropol (458,200), Pyatigorsk (145,500), Kislovodsk (127,300), Nevinnomyssk (114,400), Yessentuki (117,200), Mikhailovsk (94,500), Mineralnye Vody (72,400), Georgievsk (64,400), Budennovsk (59,600).

Stavropol Krai - Economy

The main industries of Stavropol Krai are engineering, production and processing of oil and natural gas, electric power industry, food (winemaking, butter, sugar), chemical (mineral fertilizers in Nevinnomyssk), building materials (glass in Mineralnye Vody), light (wool in Nevinnomyssk, leather in Budennovsk).

Agriculture specializes in growing grain and sunflower, the leading role in livestock breeding belongs to cattle breeding, fine-wool sheep breeding. Horticulture, viticulture, poultry farming, pig breeding, beekeeping are widespread. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the local economy, which employs more than 156 thousand people.

The main highway M29 “Caucasus” passes through Nevinnomyssk, Mineralnye Vody and Pyatigorsk. There are international airports in Stavropol (Shpakovskoye) and Mineralnye Vody. This region has a very dense and extensive network of pipelines.

Attractions of Stavropol Krai

A large number of various interesting places are concentrated on the territory of the Stavropol region. Here are just a few of the most famous sights:

• Proval - a lake and a natural cave on the southern slope of Mount Mashuk in Pyatigorsk. The cave is a cone-shaped funnel with a height of 41 m, at the bottom of which there is a karst lake of mineral water of pure blue color;
• Monument to Lermontov in Pyatigorsk at the place where the poet was fatally wounded during the duel;
• Lake Tambukan (Black Lake), located near Pyatigorsk, is known for its unique healing mud;
• Therapeutic park, mineral springs, Balneary mud baths named after Semashko in the resort city of Yessentuki;
• Resort park in Kislovodsk is very popular with tourists. The territory of the park is huge. Here you can find a drinking gallery, ponds, grottoes, and the famous valley of roses. Plants growing in the park make the air unusually clean and healthy;
• Koltso (Ring) Mount near Kislovodsk. Under the influence of natural factors, a ring with a diameter of 8 meters was formed in the center of the rock;
• Pushkin Gallery (1901), the Emir of Bukhara Palace, the Cave of Permafrost, Zheleznaya Mount in the resort town of Zheleznovodsk.

Stavropol krai of Russia photos

Stavropol Krai scenery

Paved road in Stavropol Krai

Author: A.Kostin

Winter in Stavropol Krai

Author: Kabatov V.

Small river in the Stavropol region

Author: Alex Stanin

Pictures of Stavropol Krai

Beautiful nature of Stavropol Krai

Author: Sergey Shevchenko

Author: V.Buturlia

Cathedral in Stavropol Krai

Author: Bulgakov Pyotr

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Prozritelev and Prave Stavropol State Museum

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Prozritelev and Prave Stavropol State Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• (0.26 mi) Elbrus
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• (0.35 mi) Hostel Dostoyevsky
• (1.32 mi) Eurohotel Stavropol
• (0.51 mi) Motel-Respect
• (0.00 mi) Park Cafe
• (0.00 mi) Bo Bakery
• (0.00 mi) Taiga. Obzharshhiki kofe
• (0.00 mi) Taiga
• (0.00 mi) Ekvatoriya

Cave Tour (TOUR FULL)

This tour has reached maximum number of participants. 

The Cave Tour explores roughly a quarter mile of Guam’s majestic limestone cliff line, including two historically significant caves currently closed to unaccompanied visitors. The tour includes two main stops where visitors may explore the Ritidian Beach Cave and the Ritidian Pictograph Cave, also known as the Star Cave, to see pictographs by ancient CHamorus that are thousands of years old. Walk along limestone strand forest and see native plants and animals, such as a hilitai (monitor lizard), and other cultural artifacts. Terrain is flat, but uneven with loose rocks on the trail. Recommended for families with younger children (under 7).  

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