Exploring These Watery Caves In Kentucky Is The Definition Of An Underrated Adventure
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published December 26, 2023
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Andrea Verschuyl
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Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
Are you looking for an unforgettable outdoor adventure in Kentucky that’s off the beaten track? Check out Lost River Cave! Located in Bowling Green, this incredible cavern was carved over millennia by a river system originating in the cave itself. It’s one of the Bluegrass State’s most remarkable natural attractions and a fantastic place to explore deeper – literally – into our region’s ancient past.
Though its name portends a long drive and leg cramps, Lost River Cave is located right in the middle of busting Bowling Green, meaning it's a fantastic excursion for a visitor's itinerary.
You'd think that the river responsible for creating this seven-mile cave would be substantial, but it maxes out at only 400 feet. That said, would you believe that it's deeper than it is long? At one time, Ripley's Believe it or Not recorded Lost River as the shortest but deepest river in the world! The river's "blue hole" and the source of all its water reaches a mind-boggling depth of 437 feet.
At some point, a mill was established at Lost River Cave, but historians disagree on just when it became operational, offering estimates that range from 1792 to the mid-19th century. Still, settlers were hardly the first to utilize this unique site. There's ample evidence that human activity at Lost River Cave dates back thousands of years.
In fact, well before local tribes established themselves in the region, Paleolithic groups sought shelter in the cavern. Deep in the cave's recesses, archeologists have discovered artifacts as old as 10,000 years.
Over time, the cave has served a range of colorful needs, from acting as a bank robber's hideout to being the location of a 1930s nightclub. Today, the site is co-managed by Western Kentucky University and the Friends of Lost River Cave. With 80,000 visitors a year, it's worth booking your tour in advance.
Can't get enough of being underground? Claustrophobia-free lovebirds may rent the site's former nightclub space for weddings. Illuminated by the original chandelier, a celebration here is a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
