There are countless caves in New York and the rest of the northeast, but sometimes you’re looking to pack a lot of site-seeing into one trip, right? Well, if you live in New York, you’re in luck, because several of New York’s best caves to explore are just east of Albany, some of them in Albany County. If you play your cards right, you can get a firsthand look at a few of the state’s most marvelous caves in the same weekend. It’s a spelunker’s paradise, but it’s also an ideal weekend adventure for anyone who enjoys exploring the outdoors. For all Northeastern Cave Conservancy areas, visitors must be prepared with a helmet and three sources of light for this excursion.

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Clarksville Cave’s 4,800 feet of passages have made it a hugely popular cave system, drawing tourists from all over the Northeast.
Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.
Clarksville Cave, New Scotland, NY 12186, USA
Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.
Located in Clarksville, NY, the caves are open to visitors from morning until late at night. This amazing cave in New York is unlike anything else, and it's truly incredible.

Get a front-row seat while checking out this intriguing old cave in this fascinating video:

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Howe Caverns is located a little further east in Schoharie County, but if you’re willing to put in the extra miles, it’s well worth the trip.
Trip Advisor / hlawlor24
Howes Cave, NY, USA
Trip Advisor / hlawlor24
Explorers can take a boat ride tour through the six million-year-old caves, all while floating down a mystical river 156 feet below the surface. Private and family tours are also available. If you've never been to Howe's Cave in NY, it's an experience you'll never forget.

Explore Howe Caverns in this wonderful 4k video by our friend Tom Sunday:
An awe-inspiring, underground waterfall (it’s 100 feet tall) is the centerpiece of the gorgeous landmark that is Secret Caverns.
Trip Advisor / Maria S
Secret Caverns, 671 Caverns Rd, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA
Trip Advisor / jjc traveler
The first three caves are all near Albany County, making it easy to explore all three. But if you're looking to extend the trip and drive 95 miles upstate, you'll be rewarded. Head to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves, the largest marble cave entrance in the U.S., for an ideal day trip for adults and kids alike. Tours, which last around an hour, can be scheduled throughout the day. For visitors who catch the waterfall glimmering in the midst of the massive limestone formations, the Secret Caverns tour is worth it on its own.

Here’s a link to Google Maps for the map of the road trip. If you’re looking to forego the final trek up to Pottersville, consider grabbing dinner in Albany to close out the adventure. These are far from all the caves in the region; Spider Cave, Benson’s Cave, and Merlin’s Cave are popular spots as well. But if you hit this loop in Albany County (and maybe even take a detour north), you’ll be ready for whatever adventures the rest of the caves in New York can throw at you.

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More to Explore

Caves In New York

Tori Jane | February 07, 2023
  1. Are there any caves in New York? 

Though the exact number of caves in New York is tough to pin down, rest assured that the state most certainly does have its fair share of caves and cave systems. It’s amazing how there’s an entire world beneath our feet in many places out here and most people have no idea.  

  1. Which New York caves are worth visiting?

Honestly? All of the ones you can possibly visit! The list of New York caves is longer than you might think, and as a result, there are numerous wonderful New York caves worth visiting. Some of our favorite caves in NY include:  

  • Howe Caverns – probably the most popular cave in New York for amateur spelunkers and tourists. 
  • Secret Caverns – often overlooked in favor of the nearby Howe Caverns, Secret Caverns is just as worthy of a visit.  
  • The Natural Stone Bridge and caves in Pottersville are an amazing sight to behold.  
  • Clarksville Cave – also open for tours and to explore, this New York cave is one of the best.  

 

Learn more about all four of these amazing caves in NY.   

  1. What stops should I make on a road trip in New York? 

New York is an amazing place for road trips if you ask us. There are so many options that you could easily make a road trip out of just about anything. For example, some stops on any natural wonders of NY road trip should be:  

  • Niagara Falls – this might be the most famous waterfall in North America 
  • Watkins Glen State Park – this place is so incredibly beautiful that it feels like something out of a fairy tale 
  • Salmon River Falls – we're hopelessly obsessed with waterfalls, and this New York waterfall is a bucket list item 

 

Learn more about all these amazing stops and more in one of our excellent scenic New York road trips.   

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