Onondaga Cave State Park
Onondaga Cave State Park
4.5
About
Descend into the depths of Onondaga Cave State Park and drop into a world of wonder: towering stalagmites, dripping stalactites, and active flowstones help make the cave a National Natural Landmark and illustrate why Missouri is often called “The Cave State.” Visitors can take guided tours into the underground wonderland. But if you prefer the surface, the park’s Vilander Bluff Natural Area provides a panoramic view of the Meramec River. Easy access to the Meramec River allows visitors to canoe or fish in a bucolic setting.
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4.5
85 reviews
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58
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4
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Cryptic_Tourist
Saint Louis, MO668 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Just came here for hiking, no cave since the visitor center was closed. We chose to the the Deer Run Trail which is blazed in green and very well marked. I would say it’s an easy/moderate trail. 2.25 miles and a few hundred feet of elevation gain. If you do the trail counter-clockwise you’ll see the most boring part first and then see the River at the end. That’s what we did, you could have easily done just a small portion if you just want to see the River overlook.
There’s a large parking lot and bathrooms that were very clean. I did like the hike, but it was just your typical Missouri hike. I would return to see the cave for sure.
There’s a large parking lot and bathrooms that were very clean. I did like the hike, but it was just your typical Missouri hike. I would return to see the cave for sure.
Written 12 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JLH
4 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Onondaga state park is an understated gem. The cave tour was fantastic and the cave itself is a better sight than other more promoted caverns. The price is great, too. Keegan gave us an in-depth tour that was 1.5 hours long. We stayed at the state park for camping and it also seemed better than other state parks. The sites were clean, mowed down to prevent ticks, level, and dry despite the rainy season. Aka no mudslides and standing water. The showers and bathrooms were clean. No wifi past the visitor center and no cell service.
Make sure to visit at least once to explore this amazing cave.
Make sure to visit at least once to explore this amazing cave.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynclarke
Saint Louis, MO2,151 contributions
Jun 2021
We made reservations to camp with our RV at Onondaga Cave State Park after camping at the private Ozark Outdoor Retreat "next door". This park is smaller and quieter. We had a great stay. The key bonuses were friendly hosts, very clean toilet/shower rooms, soda machine!, military or senior 10% discount, and the Onondaga cave. The slightly bad news is that at times, like now, due to weather issues there may not be cell service. We had no difficulty with our DirectV. Although the reservation service is online it can be somewhat cranky at times. My advice is just start over and try again. The good news is one can "check-in" online before one leaves home or with a smart phone with the QR code on the site post. When we wanted to go play in the river, we went next door to the Ozark Outdoor Retreat.
Written 11 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jrf0801
Saint Louis, MO111 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Went there for a day trip and took the hike along
Blue heron trail. Very flat and smooth trail along the lake . The trail ends at the playground and campground area. Looked for signs for Deer Creek trail but nothing was posted at the bathhouse near amphitheater as the state park map indicated.nice large stone cliffs and a small waterfall on the Blue Heron Trail. Will definitely come back to look into hiking the other trails the park has to offer.
Blue heron trail. Very flat and smooth trail along the lake . The trail ends at the playground and campground area. Looked for signs for Deer Creek trail but nothing was posted at the bathhouse near amphitheater as the state park map indicated.nice large stone cliffs and a small waterfall on the Blue Heron Trail. Will definitely come back to look into hiking the other trails the park has to offer.
Written 10 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
riverrunnermo
Kansas City, MO181 contributions
Oct 2019
The Onondaga Cave State Park personnel went way out of the way to make sure that all of the campers in the campground had a good time at their "Trick-or-Treat" Camping Weekend. Campsite decorating contest, Camper Halloween Costume Contest, Cave Tour with Spooky Sightings (college students from Rolla), and Trick-or-Treating for the young and old. We had a super time!
Be prepared for NO Wifi, NO Televison stations near enough for a signal, NO cell-phone signals. There is Wifi and Phone signals at the Cave Entrance building. So... be prepared for a fun, quiet weekend away from the hustle and bustle of electronics.
BUT - we found a Wifi tower with lights showing it was active, and a Wifi signal that was very strong in the campground - but it was LOCKED without anyone knowing of a PASSCODE. Someone probably set it up, and then transferred to another workplace without telling anyone of the actual code. HMMM.....?? But our taxes are paying for the signal to be active! Go figure.
Be prepared for NO Wifi, NO Televison stations near enough for a signal, NO cell-phone signals. There is Wifi and Phone signals at the Cave Entrance building. So... be prepared for a fun, quiet weekend away from the hustle and bustle of electronics.
BUT - we found a Wifi tower with lights showing it was active, and a Wifi signal that was very strong in the campground - but it was LOCKED without anyone knowing of a PASSCODE. Someone probably set it up, and then transferred to another workplace without telling anyone of the actual code. HMMM.....?? But our taxes are paying for the signal to be active! Go figure.
Written 3 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the kind words about our park! We always have so much fun doing the Halloween event each year! And, the students from Missouri S & T, the MSM grotto and the Onondaga Friends Association put a lot of planning and effort into the spooky tours each year. We are so glad that people enjoy it and come year after year for our event!
A word about the Wifi. Unfortunately, the last major flooding event submerged some of the components and fried the system. Because the system is outdated, we cannot get the parts necessary make it whole again. It appears functional only because it it is directly wired into our electrical system.
Thankfully though, our Friends Association graciously provides Wifi at our visitor center and parking area so our guests are still able to make contact with the outside world. Cell phones capable of Wifi calling function at the visitor center; otherwise cell service becomes available again at the entrance to the park.
Written 5 November 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mary M
Wentzville, MO15 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
We loved our tour of the cave. Path was easy and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. We had plenty of time to enjoy all the different aspects of the cave and to ask questions. Highly recommend this cave.
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GetOutside
Saint Louis, MO100 contributions
May 2019
Our family LOVES Missouri State Parks! For the past 20 years we have just about camped and revamped in most of the states parks. Onondaga Cave State Park is one of my absolute favorites! Up front I will tell you that you must make your spring/summer/fall camping reservations well ahead of time especially on the weekends. Missourians love their state parks and the campgrounds fill up quickly. Onondaga has two sweet small campground loops with lovely shade trees and clean restrooms/shower houses. The campground sites are spaced well apart from each other and are well maintained by being kept clean and the grass mowed. Bring your bikes to ride on the campground loop roads as well as the paved trail going up to the visitor center. You'll also want your hiking shoes for the beautiful hiking trails which bring you to the top of a bluff to overlook the Meramec River below that runs through the campground. If it's hot outside you'll want to bring swim clothes, river shoes (rocks hurt feet) and any flotations devices to play in the Meramec River. The park offers two cave tours: Onondaga Cave Tour and the Cathedral Cave Tour. We've only done the Onondaga and it is GORGEOUS! Skip Meramec Cave tours which is privately owned and give your money to the state of MO to help support our beautiful parks system and tour a cave at Onondaga - you will be THRILLED that you did!
Written 7 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warren C
Olathe, KS118 contributions
Aug 2019
Tours leave about every half hour and last about 1 1/2hr. No restroom facilities in the cave.
Buy tickets (adults $15) in gift shop for your time entry. You will be watching a 10 min movie about cave and region.
Entering the cave is through an airlock door and pretty easy. The cave itself has no really small spaces and nothing that would cause you to get dirty. But there are areas of water on the path and some staircases that may be slippery. But our guide did a great job of indicating any potential issues.
You do stop every few minutes to look at a new formation and the guide explains what we are seeing, why it appears the way it does and some of the history of the cave (originally private, but now public with the state). We had younger children and older individuals on this tour and no one had any issue keeping together.
Had to pass other tours twice (once on the way in, and another as we were heading out) and there was plenty of room to pass by each other. No areas on tour that might become claustrophobic. Every area was wide open.
Buy tickets (adults $15) in gift shop for your time entry. You will be watching a 10 min movie about cave and region.
Entering the cave is through an airlock door and pretty easy. The cave itself has no really small spaces and nothing that would cause you to get dirty. But there are areas of water on the path and some staircases that may be slippery. But our guide did a great job of indicating any potential issues.
You do stop every few minutes to look at a new formation and the guide explains what we are seeing, why it appears the way it does and some of the history of the cave (originally private, but now public with the state). We had younger children and older individuals on this tour and no one had any issue keeping together.
Had to pass other tours twice (once on the way in, and another as we were heading out) and there was plenty of room to pass by each other. No areas on tour that might become claustrophobic. Every area was wide open.
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
princessleia39
Cedar Hill, MO6 contributions
Aug 2018
This is an interesting and truly cool natural wonder. They have regular tours, paranormal tours, photography tours, lantern tours. I've been on photography tours and the guides are great. If you would like lights off or on in certain areas while taking a photo they are more than happy to help. Photo tours last 3 hours and you're welcome to bring whatever equipment you like but remember if you pack it in, you have to pack around for 3 hours.
Written 2 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MoMedTravel
22 contributions
May 2019
We went here and hiked the Deer Run trail while visiting St. James. Hike was medium difficulty, a nice ~3 mile loop with a beautiful view of the Meramac river on the way back. Staff at the park center was excellent, providing us with maps and bug spray (we only brought the weak stuff), as well as warnings about tick season. Really great experience, would recommend.
Written 6 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it wheelchair accessible
Merle G
Oklahoma City, OK196 contributions
Better check the website. It’s all ramps except the final option of going up to other rooms BUT some ramps are very, very steep. Up and down. There may be a cutoff for that part but I think it would be a tough push up and hard to go down safely.
occams-razor
Antioch, IL89 contributions
if only interested in the cave, do you have to pay to enter park and then again for cave tour?
Merle G
Oklahoma City, OK196 contributions
We just paid for the cave tours, no park entry fee. There would be a fee to camp in the park, though. See their website
Are there any bike trails near the area?
Onewag01
Kansas City, Missouri86 contributions
I did not see any bike trails, other than walking trails. The roads into the park are hilly and narrow with no shoulders, so not ideal for biking. Trail bikes might have some success, but it could be rough going for touring bikes.
Viv_GVfarm
Union, MO
Which river/water way is part of this State park?
Is there rafting, canoes or kayaking? (Looking for shallow/safe waters for first timers)
Is there lodging for non campers on state park grounds or near?
inorg27
Saint Louis, MO21 contributions
The Meramec River runs through this state park. Just across the bridge from the cave there is a rafting/canoe outifitters where you can arrange a float trip. Normally the Meramac is rather calm, clear, and relatively shallow in this area, with lots of sand and gravel bars. The day before we went though, there was a large rainstorm, so the river was roiling, dirty, and full of branches so you couldn't float.
Amie L
Saint Charles, MO1 contribution
Hi
I was wondering what is the place to rent a canoe if camping for the weekend at Onondaga State Park???
Amanda W
Linn, MO1,649 contributions
I've never floated while staying there but Ozark Outdoors is right across the river from the campground and offered rentals. Their campground is nice and everything looks clean so you might give them a try.
ONONDAGA CAVE STATE PARK (Leasburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Onondaga Cave State Park
- Hotels near Onondaga Cave State Park:
- (0.52 km) Ozark Outdoors Resort
- (15.30 km) Wagon Wheel Motel
- (4.46 km) Luxury Home in Woods w/ Easy Private Access to Meramec River and Lrg. Gravel Bar
- (6.13 km) Fully modern 'rustic' cottage with hiking and floating oppurtunities nearby.
- (6.18 km) Fully modern and unique country lodge. Quiet and cozy.
- Restaurants near Onondaga Cave State Park:
- (15.21 km) Missouri Hick Barbeque
- (15.65 km) Shellies Route 66 Cafe
- (11.05 km) Barn and Grill
- (15.94 km) The FourWay Restaurant
- (5.86 km) Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch
- Attractions near Onondaga Cave State Park:
- (0.00 km) Cathedral Cave
- (0.52 km) Ozark Outdoors
- (2.12 km) Onondaga Cave
- (8.33 km) Bass River Resort
- (7.26 km) Riverview Ranch