Coming Up On June 6: National Day of Caves and Karst
The National Caves Association has declared June 6 as National Day of Caves and Karst to increase awareness of the roles, both play in our lives and the environment.
“There’s just so much to see, learn and discover under-ground,” says Patty Perlaky, president of the National Caves Association. “Our hope with the National Day of Caves and Karst on June 6 is to encourage people to tour at least one cave this summer.”
According to the NCA, here are five reasons to visit a cave near you
- See things you have never seen before. No two caves are alike. There are many caves with water features, such as underground rivers, pristine lakes, and raging waterfalls. Cumberland Caverns has the waterfalls, sparkling pools and so much more to experience and enjoy.
- Spend quality time with family. Some of the best memories are made during summer vacations and staycations.
- Cave tours are educational and teach you about the history of the cave and the surrounding areas.
- Spending time in nature has many benefits. Multiple studies show that nature boosts our mental and physical well-being.
- Caves are fun. These aren’t your grandfather’s cave tours. Options for exploring and spending time in caverns are increasing each year. In addition to walking tours and spelunking, guests are now treated to concerts, boat rides, and even kayak rentals inside some caves.
In Middle Tennessee, we live in a karst area. There are five unusual surface features in a karst region, which includes: springs, sinkholes, sinking streams, cave entrances, and underground streams. Living on land with karst features is like living on Swiss cheese.
There are about 17,000 known caves in the United States. Tennessee makes up the majority of that amount and comes in at #1 in the Nation with over 10K caves! About 125 caves have been opened to the public for study and enjoyment. Of these, 15 are in national parks or monuments, and 30 are in State parks. The remainder is privately owned and operated. Most of these caves are in the Appalachian Mountains, the Ozark Mountains, the Black Hills, and the limestone regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana.
Make plans to go underground this year and experience a magnificent world hidden just beneath your feet.
In addition to learning more about the environment when you visit Cumberland Caverns on June 6, you will also receive:
- A FREE Official Cumberland Caverns Wrist Band
- FREE Popcorn
Buy your tickets online now by clicking the link below. If you are bringing your family, be sure to select the ‘Family Fun Ticket’ to save money on your trip to the cave.
Special thanks to the NCA and USGS for contributions to this article.