If you read my post earlier in the week then you know all about our Shenandoah misadventure last November. If not, click here to read it. To make a long story short it was quite the misadventure that included driving what should have taken 2.5 hours in a snowstorm. It actually took 6 hours and after we hunkered down in our Airbnb for the night, we lost power. The Skyline Drive was closed due to the weather, click here to read our suggestions for what to do if this happens during your visit to the area. We only ended up being able to go to Skyline Caverns and Luray Caverns during our 72 hours in Shenandoah National Park.
So I thought I would do a little “cavern off” to see which caverns were better/more worth a visit also which one was more authentic and clearly attempting to keep the experience as natural as possible. Here we go!
We started with Skyline, so I am going to start with them here as well.
The basics: 10344 Stonewall Jackson Hwy, Front Royal, VA 22630
Hours: Vary depending on time of year. Click here for hours during your visit. During our visit in November the hours were 9 am to 4 pm.
Cost: Adults (14+) – $22, Children (7-13) – $11, Children 6 and under are free.
History: It all started in 1937 when Walter S. Amos after carefully examining surface topography uncovered a secret that had been beneath the earth’s surface in Shenandoah for nearly 60 million years. The Skyline Caverns opened to the public in 1939 and have welcomed millions of visitors through the years.
The details: The tour takes about an hour and smaller tour group sizes make this very personalized. In fact, during our visit we HAD a personal tour because we were the only people there. They also have a miniature train, mirror maze and nature trail on site.
Our favorites: Wishing well, Fairyland Lakes and Anthodite Rooms.
Fun fact: Skyline Caverns is one of the only places on earth where Anthodites are displayed.
The basics: 101 Cave Hill Road, Luray, Va 22835
Hours: Open every day from 9 am – 4 pm
Cost: Adults – $28, Children (6-12) – $15 and free under age 6. Admission prices cover the cavern tour, Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Toy Town Museum and Luray Valley Museum.
History: Known as geologies Hall of Fame, Luray Caverns are the largest and most popular caverns in Eastern America. These caverns are 4 million centuries in the making and it was discovered in 1879 by a tinsmith. These caverns have been renowned as one of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders.
The details: The tour takes about an hour and the groups are very large. Expect lines at ticketing and before the tour even starts people begin lining up. We are more of the “back of the group” people so it didn’t really bother us that people started lining up so early. As mentioned above they also have a Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Toy Town Museum and Luray Valley Museum.
Our Favorites: Dream Lake, Wishing Well and Pluto’s Ghost and of course the Great Stalacpipe Organ (an organ that literally makes music out of the stalactites).
Fun fact: Luray Caverns was originally called Luray Lake.
We were glad that we visited Skyline Caverns before Luray Caverns. If you are going to tour multiple caverns, we suggest making Luray your final stop.
Skyline Caverns is a much smaller operation and it was very clear that they are more interested in maintaining the integrity of caverns then making money. These caverns take a more no frill approach which is completely commendable. However, the caverns are also much smaller.
We loved the personal tour and even when it’s full they pride themselves on smaller tour sizes so that you really retain all of the information presented to you. The tour was very informative!
Luray Caverns is massive compared to Skyline, although it wasn’t as commercialized as we thought. When walking up to the building we started to get a little worried but once you are in the caverns all you can do is stare in amazement.
BUT we didn’t like the size of your tour group at Luray. The tour groups are large and therefore the guides are not as informative. Or if they are, chances are that you won’t be able to hear them anyway. To be fair, we were “those” people that hung out near the back to take pictures, but we could barely hear our tour guide the entire time.
Luray’s lighting really highlighted the formations in the caverns and because it IS more commercialized the lighting was much better here than at Skyline.
Luray is clearly more established and commercialized and therefore has a better general system for tours.
In the end I would say if you are into the no frill, natural, strictly for information caverns then head to Skyline Caverns. It’s worth a visit just for the Anthodites, yes, they are that cool! If you want to see some incredibly impressive formations and don’t have a problem dealing with large crowds then head to Luray. AND if you have time to do both then do both but do yourself a favor and check
Do you have a favorite between Skyline Caverns and Luray Caverns?
Please note: I have no affiliation with either of these establishments and paid my own way everywhere I went in Shenandoah. Just trying to help you out!
