Looking for a dose of adventure with a dash of mystery? Look no further than this awesome day trip to the largest cave in Massachusetts. This sandy state is definitely not known for its caves, but this one at Upton Heritage Park will definitely impress. Here are all the details.
Upton Heritage Park in Upton is located on the eastern shore of Mill Pond. It’s home to Upton Cave, which is the largest cave in Massachusetts. In fact, this place is actually the largest and most intricately formed cave of its type in the Northeast United States. And if that doesn’t pique your interest, get this: this caves is clearly man-made… but no one knows who built it.
Upton Cave is actually one of more than 300 similar stone chambers found throughout New England. The cave starts off as a tunnel that’s about six feet high and 14 feet long. This tunnel bores into the side of a hill and leads to a cool, quiet, beehive-shaped stone chamber that is about 12 feet wide and 11 feet high. On the outside, the cave is topped with a number of huge over stones that are estimated to weight at least several tons each.
There are plenty of theories around the origin of the cave. Some experts think that it was built by European explorers that pre-dated Columbus. Some think that the cave and others like it were sacred sites built by the native people of the region before colonists arrived. More mundane explanations are also possible, including the possibility that the cave was simply a crop storage area for early colonial farmers or even a leather tanning space from the 1800s.
No matter when or why the cave was constructed, it’s truly a sight to see. Because the cave is obviously not wired for electricity, visitors will need to bring flashlights in order to see inside. Conditions inside might be uncomfortable for small children or pets, so venture with care. The park and cave were previously off-limits to the public, but the area was opened to visitors in 2012.
You can learn more about Upton Heritage Park by clicking here. For another awesome hidden gem in Massachusetts, check out this quietly famous landmark that you’ve probably never visited.
Address: 21 Elm Street, Upton, MA, 01568
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