Round Spring Guided Cave Tour

A guided tour of Round Spring Cave offers a unique experience on the riverways.

NPS Photo

Discover the amazing world beneath your feet!

Round Spring Cave is considered the most spectacular cave within Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Large, varied formations fill over a mile of the passage, which has been well-preserved over the years. 

There is no better way to learn about Ozark caves than through a tour! In summer, rangers conduct daily "lantern tours" of the cave, detailing local history and taking questions from visitors. Common topics include karst topography, geology, hydrology, cave wildlife, history, and more. Tours are limited to 15 visitors, allowing for a more intimate experience than typical show caves.

For 2024, tours are available June 1 through September 2 (Labor Day). For pricing information, read the "Fee" information section below. For an up-to-date schedule, read the "Time of Day" section below.

Before taking a tour, visitors must be aware of the following information:

• Mobility and balance are required to tour the cave. Stairs, mud, gravel, and slopes are present throughout the tour. There is no seating inside the cave.
• Crouching/duck-walking is required for ~100 feet in order to enter the cave.
• The tour follows ~3/4 mile of various terrain and tight spaces. If you are susceptible to claustrophobia, please consider a different activity.
• Children must be able to walk independently for the entire tour. Parents may not hold their children during the tour, as this poses a safety risk.
• Closed-toe shoes are required for the tour. No flip flops or other loose footwear are permitted.
• Bags or purses are not permitted in the cave.
• Food, gum, drinks, or tobacco products (including electronic ones) are not permitted.
• Light sources (apart from phones) are not permitted. Lanterns are provided for the tour.
• Tours last 60-90 minutes, during which there is no opportunity to use the restroom.
• After purchasing a ticket, visitors must meet at the cave parking lot at the designated tour time. Tickets cannot be used at a later time or date, and there are no refunds.
• A light jacket is strongly recommended, as the cave is around 60 degrees (F) year-round. On most summer days, that is 30 degrees colder than outside.

Reminder: All caves except Round Spring Cave are closed to visitation due to a highly contagious disease (White Nose Syndrome) that impacts bat populations. To prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome, please do not wear clothes that have been in other caves for this tour. Please also refrain from entering other caves within the park.

Details

Duration

60-90 Minutes

Cave tours typically last between 60 to 90 minutes. Tours may be shorter if the group moves quickly, while more questions/discussion can add to the time.

Activity

Guided Tours

Lantern tours take visitors through one wing of the Round Spring Cave, showing off features such as the "Tobacco Barn," helectites, bear beds, and more (if time allows). A ranger leads every tour, providing interpretation and answering questions from the group.

The tour includes under a mile of walking through various terrain and tight spaces. Stops are made to show off interesting features, giving opportunities for discussion and education of cave resources.

Age(s)

4 and Older

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, to protect both themselves and cave resources. Slick mud, loose gravel, and ledges are present throughout the cave.

Children must be able to walk and stand on their own, without assistance, for the whole 60-90 minute tour. Generally speaking, this means children should be at least a few years of age. Children may not be carried during the tour, as this poses a safety hazard for both the parent and child.

Otherwise, keep in mind that there are no opportunities to use the restroom once inside the cave. If your child needs to use the restroom frequently, please consider a different activity.

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are not allowed inside Round Spring Cave. See the Accessibility Information section for details regarding service animals.

Activity Fee

Yes

Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before each tour, at the Round Spring Ranger Station. Please bring exact change in cash only - the park cannot accept card payments at this time. Also note that there are no refunds once purchased.

Prices are as follows:

• $10 for adults
• $5 for children (12 and under)
• $5 for adults with a qualifying Access or Senior Pass 

Location

Round Spring Cave

Round Spring is located on Highway 19, about 12.3 miles north of Eminence, MO. The ranger station and cave are located near the family campground, found closest to the two-lane bridge. Reminder: Before going to the cave, visitors must purchase tickets at the Round Spring Ranger Station.

Once you have purchased tickets, the cave entrance is located just west of Round Spring Ranger Station. From the ranger station, drive downhill and keep to the left. After passing under the bridge, continue straight until you reach the parking lot. Park there - rangers will meet you at the lot, then the cave is a short walk away.

Reservations

No

Reservations cannot be made for public tours. If you wish to schedule a tour for a school group or other institution, please call the park at [phone].

Season

Summer

Round Spring Cave is open during the summer months, usually between Memorial Day and Labor Day. To check whether the cave will be open, check this page or call the park at [phone] or [phone].

Time of Day

Day

Schedule for June 1 - August 18:
Tours take place daily at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm (noon), and 2:00 pm. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before each tour, at the Round Spring Ranger Station.

Schedule for August 19 - September 2 (Labor Day):
Saturday and Sunday: Tours take place at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm (noon), and 2:00 pm. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before each tour, at the Round Spring Ranger Station.

Monday through Friday: Tours take place at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. There is no noon tour on weekdays during this time. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before each tour, at the Round Spring Ranger Station.

Accessibility Information

Due to stairs and the natural terrain of the cave, these tours are not accessible to wheelchairs and may be difficult for those with mobility impairments. Stooping for a moderate distance is required to enter the cave, and gravel or mud may prove difficult to navigate once inside.

Service animals are allowed, given that they meet the requirements outlined by NPS policy. In short, service animals "must be trained to perform a specific task related to the disability of its handler." "Emotional support" or "comfort" animals do not qualify as service animals for the sake of this policy.