Have you ever explored a cave in Kansas before? We know there are a few places where you’re allowed to explore public caves, but they’re sometimes hard to find or access. This little-known cave area in Kansas is the perfect opportunity to explore something that many Kansan’s might not have heard of before. Have you seen these caves before?

At Kanopolis park, near the lake of the same name, there's a short trail from a parking area that leads you through the brush into a clearing.
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr
It doesn't take long to see the three caves, but once you're here, you'll spend a long time looking and exploring. There's also a trail leading to the top of the area above the caves if you want to keep going!
Summer or winter, these caves are left alone in nature, but what were they used for at first?
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr
A miner from Colorado named Charles Griffee excavated these caves in the 1880s, but the land was later bought by the Faris family.

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In the summer, they stay cooler than the area around them. In the winter, they're a welcome break from the cold and the wind.
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr
The two larger caves were used by the Faris family as a spring house, generator room and, a schoolhouse as well.
The first two caves are tall enough to walk into, but what's this?
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr
The third cave is much smaller and contains a natural spring that often sends clean water running over the ground.
The outside of the caves are covered in markings from people who have visited.
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr
There's something instinctive in us that makes us want to leave a mark on the world. Fortunately, the rock here is soft enough to scratch something out without a lot of effort. I wonder how old some of these marks are?

Of course, no photo is as nice as seeing it in person.


This video by YouTuber Dad's Eye View captures the inside and outside of these amazing caves, as well as some of the wildlife you might want to look out for while you're here. Enjoy!

Have you fallen in love with amateur spelunking? You’ll want to check out this cool hiking trail that has another cave you’re welcome to explore. It’s at the same park!

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