Missouri's 'Most Beautiful Cave' Boasts World-Class Crystal Formations And A Unique Gift Shop In The Famed Ozarks

Located in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, the Ozarks are a large section of land famous for natural wonders: state parks, lakes, mountains, plateaus, and rivers. What many visitors don't know is that underneath this region's natural beauty is a series of complex cave systems tucked away from sight. Missouri is even referred to as the cave state because of its 7,500 unique caves. No Missouri adventure would be complete without a satisfying cave dive.

Located about an hour south of Springfield — also known as Missouri's 'Queen City Of The Ozarks' — is the Talking Rocks Cavern just outside of Branson West, Missouri. From Branson West, drive south to 13-280, which then becomes Talking Rocks Road. At the end of the road, visitors should turn onto Fairy Lane Road and then find the parking area with more than enough space for daily guests. Keep in mind that the road leading up to the parking area is a bit too narrow for RVs.

Regarded as the most beautiful cave in Missouri, this underground spectacle is fun for the whole family to enjoy. The cave has an interesting story, too. It was originally known as "Fairy Cave," a name bestowed upon it by Thomas Powell, the first person to traverse the cave, who described his discovery as "a subterranean fairy land." Silver Dollar City bought the cave in 1969 and renamed it Talking Rocks Cavern, in large part because Thomas Powell's son, Waldo Powell, remarked that the cave itself, with its stunning rock displays, seemed to have many stories to tell about the history of its formation.

Each tour in the Talking Rocks Cavern lasts for about an hour. For adults, one ticket costs $31.95. For children ages 12 and under, tickets are $17.95, and for children up to 3 years old, the tour is free. The tour itself is mostly vertical, meaning that you will have to descend 150 concrete steps and ascend 115 steps. It is also common for the steps to be wet, especially after it rains. Visitors are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes with traction and use the sturdy guard rails throughout the cavern. People who struggle with stairs may want to consider a different cave tour, such as Missouri's notorious Meramec Caves outside of St. Louis.

As you explore the caves, you can expect to see mineral deposits like stalactites, stalagmites, and draperies — including a 70-foot-tall column — especially in one huge area called the Cathedral Room. The Crystal Falls inside the cave have beautiful calcite crystals that glimmer in the light, and you'll also see the Flowstone Curtains, which look like actual curtains made from stone.

After you finish the cave tour, make sure to stop by the Rock and Gift Shop, which spans 4,000 square feet and has so many rocks, gemstones, and fossils from around the world that the Talking Rocks Cavern website refers to it as a "mini museum." You can find fossils like ammonites, amber, and trilobites, as well as geodes. There are even some museum-grade collectibles on display in the shop for visitors to peruse.

If you're looking for more to do after your cave tour, stop to play some Cave Country Mini Golf. This miniature golf course has nine holes and is mostly in the shade. You get a mini-golf ticket discount if you purchase them alongside your cave tour tickets, so it's best to get all the tickets upfront. There are also four nature trails guests can explore to get a better sense of the world above the Talking Rocks Cavern. One of the trails leads to a lookout tower that offers some scenic views of the area. To get a taste of mining, you can purchase a bag and learn to sluice through minerals. Practice identifying semi-precious minerals and gemstones at one of the sluice stations.

The Talking Rocks Cavern also offers seasonal events for visitors looking for something a little different from the standard cave tour. Sometimes they hold cave lantern tours where guests can explore by soft lantern light. In the summer, there are live music concerts. The cave acoustics make rocking out to music a unique experience you can't find anywhere else. For the winter, you can take a cave tour and enjoy the festive holiday lights throughout the cave. After spending a day trip at Talking Rocks, head back to Branson to become better acquainted with the area. It features a winery, scenic railway, wax museum, and much more. If you're not local to the area, Branson is also your best bet for overnight lodging. If you're still looking for cave wonders in the Ozarks, check out this quirky Arkansas city in the Ozark Mountains with surreal cave lakes.