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Laurel Caverns

Coordinates: 39°47′59″N 79°42′42″W / 39.79961°N 79.71161°W / 39.79961; -79.71161
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Laurel Caverns
Stairs, lit with electric lights, lead into the cavern.
LocationFarmington, Pennsylvania
Length4,972 meters (16,312 ft)[1]
Discovery1760s (first recorded exploration)[2]
GeologyKarst cave
Mississippian Loyalhanna limestone
AccessAdults: $14 USD
Seniors (65+): $11 USD
Children (12-18): $10 USD
Children (6-11): $10 USD
Children (0-5): free

Upper Caving (9 and up): $20 USD
Lower Caving (12 and up): $25 USD

Laurel Caverns, is the largest cave in Pennsylvania by volume and area. Split into two sections, its entrance into the upper cavern is a network of interconnecting grid-like passages, while its unlit lower cavern, known as its branch-work, consists of subterranean watercourses into a dendritic system of passages. Laurel Caverns features an array of speleological and pseudokarsts formations. Its average temperature is 52°F (11° C). Located in Farmington, Pennsylvania, it sits on Chestnut Ridge near Uniontown, about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Pittsburgh.

It is a privately owned show cave specially featuring a three-hour-long guided tour descending over forty stories exploring the branch-work.

Narrow section of a portion of the cave that can be viewed on the standard tour.


The steep slope of some passageways causes an optical illusion known as a gravity hill. The illusion of a ball rolling uphill is an illustration of this effect and a mainstay for the businesses one-hour guided family tour of the network. The business also features other accommodations such as a gift shop, mini-golf course, and panning for gemstones and fossils activities.

References

39°47′59″N 79°42′42″W / 39.79961°N 79.71161°W / 39.79961; -79.71161