[Last Updated June 25, 2025]

Now that I’ve been to 52 of the 63 national parks, I’ve also covered all the different caves you can find! Here’s the run down on the 4 different types of caves you can see in 7 national parks. Be sure to read till the end for 3 bonus cave locations that are not national parks.

Karst Caves

Karst caves are usually formed through the dissolution of carbonate rocks such as limestone, dolomite, marble, and gypsum. They are the most common type of cave and typically require the power of water to form. Water seeping through the porous rock carves out the cave over long periods of time. Four national parks feature these amazing caves. Here they are, listed in the order in which I visited them.

1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

The Carlsbad cavern was formed 265 million years ago. Most karst caves in the world are formed when water interacts with carbon dioxide and seeps downwards. But the oil fields near Carlsbad Caverns National Park contained hydrogen sulfide-rich water. It rose from the oil reservoirs and mixed with groundwater to form sulfuric acid. It dissolved the limestone at the water table, and therefore, Carlsbad Caverns was dissolved from below and not from above like most other caves.

Advance reservations are required to visit the cave. You can easily combine Carlsbad Caverns with Guadalupe and White Sands national parks – this 3-day itinerary will make the most out of your time. If you’re willing to extend your trip, visit Big Bend National Park – this is as close as you’ll get to it!

2. Mammoth Caves National Park, Kentucky

Mammoth Caves is also the longest cave system in the world. It’s the most easily accessible of all the karst caves due to its proximity to major cites on the East Coast. Advance reservations are highly recommended and tours vary seasonally.

3. Lehman Caves at Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Lehman Caves at Great Basin National Park is the longest cave system in Nevada. You will find many wonderful cave formations here, including stalactites, stalagmites, popcorn and bacon. Advance reservations are required.

4. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Wind Cave a rare type of cave in which the atmospheric pressure difference between the inside and the outside causes air to flow in or out of the cave. This airflow is how the cave was discovered by white Americans in 1881. Another thing that makes this cave special is one of the features inside the cave. Boxwork is a honeycomb-like structure of thin, intersecting blades of calcite that project from cave walls and ceilings. Wind cave contains about 95% of the world’s known boxwork. It was intermingled with other features in places such as frostwork and popcorn. Advance reservations are required. Choose the Fairgrounds tour – it’s the longest one offered and you see the most boxwork on it.

Lava Caves

Lava caves are formed from volcanic activity. When lava flows like a river, the top of it cools as it is exposed to the cool air and hardens. Lava continues to flow underneath. The rock above keeps cooling, and eventually forms the roof of the cave. As the eruption ends or the lava flow moves to someplace else, the lava tube drains of molten rock and leaves a cave tunnel behind.

5. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Big Island of Hawaii

The Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. The cave was discovered in 1913 by Lorrin Thurston, a newspaper publisher instrumental in creating Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Its name refers to the “protuberances”, or lava drippings, that were believed to adorn the ceiling but were destroyed when the cave was discovered. Combine a visis to this lava tube with the Kilauea Iki trail for a classic Hawaii volcanoes experience.

Sea Caves

6. Channel Islands National Park, California

One of the best places to see caves formed by the erosive power of waves is Channel Islands National Park; specifically, Santa Cruz island. I chose to hike when I went to Santa Cruz island because I had never kayaked before, and now I wish I had done that! Channel Islands Adventure Company Store is the only outfitter on the island itself and offers guided kayak and snorkel tours.

Talus Caves

Talus caves form when large boulders or rock fragments tumble down from cliffs and become wedged in narrow canyons or fractures. Therefore, these caves are formed not by the dissolution of rock but rather through mechanical processes involving the movement and accumulation of loose rocks. The shifting and settling of fallen rocks creates spaces between the boulders that form the cave passages.

7. Pinnacles National Park, California

In Pinnacles National Park, faults and fractures in the park’s volcanic rock created steep, narrow canyons. Over time, massive boulders fell into these canyons due to tectonic forces and erosion. The rocks stacked on top of each other and wedged tightly together. The gaps and hollows between these enormous rocks created the talus caves that visitors explore today. The entrances to these caves are narrow as you have to squeeze yourself inside between the rocks. Set aside 2 days if you want to visit both the Balconies Cave on the West side of the park and the Bear Gulch caves on the East side.

Bonus Caves

These caves are not in national parks, but their proximity to one and cool factor earned them a spot in this list.

1. Jewel Cave National Monument near Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

I did not have time to visit Jewel Cave National Monument during my South Dakota trip, but if you can fit it in, it is worth a visit. Like Wind Cave, it was discovered because of the airflow created by the pressure differential between the outside and the cave. It is one of the longest caves in the world and its best feature are the sparkling calcite crystals, which give it its name. Advance reservations are required.

2. Luray Caverns near Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Luray Caverns make for a great stop when you are visiting Shenandoah National Park. If you’ve already visited some of the other karst caves on this list, they may seem a little underwhelming, but every cave is different and the Luray Caverns are beautiful in their own right.

3. Ape Caves in Mt St Helens National Monument, Washington

Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube (2.5 miles long) in North America. The ¾ mile, one-way lower cave route is relatively easy and family friendly. For the more adventurous, the 1.5 mile upper cave route leads to a climb up an eight foot rock wall and scramble over rock piles, then an exit and a 1.5 mile above ground hike back to the parking lot. Reservations are required from May 18 to October. The area is closed to the public from Nov 1 to May 17.