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    Beneath the surface. Beyond imagination.

    Laurel Caverns

    Laurel Caverns in the southwestern Laurel Highlands is proposed to become the Pennsylvania’s 125th state park and its first underground! 

     

    Governor Josh Shapiro included this designation in his 2025 budget address, aiming to enhance tourism and conserve this unique natural feature, which is the largest and deepest cave in Pennsylvania.

    Key Details

    Governance

    • Privately owned by Laurel Caverns Conservancy and owner/operator David Cale
    • Proposed donation to the Commonwealth to be designated as a state park
    • $5 million included in Governor Shapiro’s 2025 budget with a portion for initial improvements and staff

    Operations

    • DCNR to partner with current operator to maintain tours
    • Surface amenities will be free to the public
    • A future master plan will guide improvements, resource protection, and additional needed investments

    Economic Impact

    • Expected to increase visitation beyond the current 50,000 annual visitors and boost local tourism and the regional economy

    Fast Facts

    Location

    Fayette County, about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh

    Size

    4+ miles of wide cave passages beneath a 435-acre geological preserve

    Climate

    52 degrees year-round inside the cave

    Geology

    Largest sandy limestone cave in Pennsylvania

    Ecology

    Critical winter habitat for endangered bat species

    History

    First explored in the 1760s, opened to the public in 1964 by Norman and Helen Cale, who marketed it as “the caverns in the clouds.”

    “If you really want to know who owns Laurel Caverns, it’s the bats. We just use it in the summer with their permission. All the water that enters the cave is contained in that property, and that keeps the cave clean and pristine. The only reason Lillian and I acquired the property in the first place was to protect it. Many people who come here say this should be a state park.”

    —David Cale
    Laurel Caverns Owner/Operator

    Visitor Information

    When to Visit

    Open from April to October

    Who Should Visit

    Experiences range from those for spelunkers and adventure seekers to families with children.

    Fees

    Entrance fee for the cave with various guided and self-guided tours

    Still Open. Still Awesome.

    Among many opportunities to have fun outdoors, Pennsylvania’s award-winning system of 124 state parks includes the chance to experience the Milky Way in some of the darkest skies in the northeast U.S.; boat rushing whitewater; and sit on the beach along the shores of Lake Erie. Transitioning Laurel Caverns and its underground wonders to a state park would be a significant step in conserving Pennsylvania’s natural heritage and enhancing its tourism offerings as the Great American Getaway. 

    Pennsylvania’s state parks are still open, still awesome, and still providing new ways to explore our Commonwealth's natural wonders.