Howe Caverns
4.6(6.1K)google
4.1(236)yelp
KidsIndoorThrillingAdventurousGuided Tour OnlyGuided TourCave
Overview
Howe Caverns is a limestone solutional cave, operated as a show cave, in the hamlet of Howes Cave, Schoharie County, New York. Howe Caverns is a popular tourist attraction, providing visitors with a sense of caving or spelunking, without needing the advanced equipment and training usually associated with such adventures.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeOpen year-round, this subterranean karst wonder functions as an exceptional all-weather indoor escape. Visiting at 9:30 AM at opening on a scorching July or August day is highly advised; escape the surface heat by plunging 156 feet below ground via an elevator shaft to walk the limestone corridors and board a customized wooden boat cruise across the mysterious, illuminated underground river fields.
Getting ThereSituated in central New York at 255 Discovery Drive in Howes Cave. Self-drivers take highway I-88 straight to Exit 22 (Cobleskill), follow the prominent structural cavern billboards onto Cavern Road, and drive 2 miles straight to the property; a massive complimentary paved parking field wraps the visitor pavilion. No public transportation routes run down this rural valley corridor.
Travel Tips
- The subterranean cavern sits 156 feet below the surface with a permanent climate of 52°F (11°C); wearing heavy long-sleeved jackets and pants is essential year-round.
- The stone pathways leading to the underground river boat launch are perpetually wet and dripping; high heels, flip-flops, and slick-soled leather shoes are banned from tours.
- The traditional tour lasts 90 minutes inside confined subterranean spaces; individuals suffering from severe claustrophobic tendencies or acute mobility limits should bypass this underground loop.
Reviews
Positive
- The subterranean world is magnificent! Giant stalactites and stalagmites are surreal under colorful LED lights; the core highlight is the underground river boat ride.
- Superb crowd control and safety measures. Accessing the cave is fast via a high-tech modern elevator, and paths inside feature solid handrails and non-slip walkways.
- Guides are witty and animated, making rock formations come alive while sharing geology facts; turning off all lights on the river for total darkness is a fun thrill.
- The main lodge is premium with clean restrooms, a massive gift shop, and abundant free parking; road signs are clear, making it a very quick drive off the highway.
Heads up
- Tickets and add-ons are highly overpriced! The base admission is steep, and inside attractions like gem mining or ropes courses require extra fees, feeling commercialized.
- The cave stays around 50°F (10°C) year-round—freezing and damp. Despite warning signs, a lack of multilingual text leaves many foreign tourists shivering without coats.
- Peak summer weekends trigger massive waits (1-2 hours) for the entry elevator and the boat ride; crowding inside narrow cave passageways can feel noisy and cramped.
- Due to natural geological constraints, the deep sections are full of steps and low, tight crevices, completely inaccessible for wheelchairs or strollers.