Marvel Cave

Marvel Cave is a historic and complex underground limestone cave system which benefits from being a part of the Silver Dollar City amusement park.

The cave has a rich history, with evidence of its exploration as early as the mid-1500's to its original recorded discovery in 1869. Believed to contain marble, it was first named Marble Cave and was explored to be exploited for mining. However it was soon found that the cave did not contain marble. Through a series of mining company ownerships, bat guano was the mine's biggest export, hauled out to be used for gunpowder and fertilizer. Following the mining era, cave tours began being offered.

Today, Marvel Cave is one attraction within the Silver Dollar City theme park. Purchased by the Herschend Family in 1950, a recreation of a mining town was constructed around the cave site to help attract visitors to the cave tours. That replica mine site has expanded to the large theme park it is today. Cave tours led by guides is still a regular part of the amusement park and is open to all visitors - however tours are limited in size so during busier seasons and weekends, free advance reservations are strongly recommended by stopping at the desk outside the cave's entrance.

Normal cave tours tend to last about an hour, and require a good amount of walking through short and narrow passageways and down many steps. A funicular railway carries guests from the cave's exit back up to the gift shop.

The depth and complexity of the cave is impressive, and there are dozens of chambers and features. A brief explanation can be found on Marvel Cave's Wikipedia page. 

Marvel Cave is an interesting and impressive cave feature, and a guided tour is not to be missed. Admission to Silver Dollar City is required to access Marvel Cave, and tours are free once inside the park. Check the park's website for current admission rates and hours.