Meramec Caverns is the largest commercial cave in Missouri, located off Interstate 44 near Stanton, around 60 miles southwest of St. Louis. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
It was last checked and update in July 2026, when adult admission stood at $30.50 — higher than many guides show — and the cave’s hard seasonal closure from 5 January through 27 February remained poorly documented by third-party sites that describe it as “open year-round.”
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Seasonal and variable. Summer peak (1 Jul–9 Aug): daily 8:30–7:30. Closed entirely 5 Jan–27 Feb. November–December: call ahead. |
| Ticket prices | Adults (12+): $30.50. Children (5–11): $16.50. Under 5: free. Military: $27.50. |
| Address | I-44, Exit 230, Stanton, Missouri 63079. Mailing: 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080. |
| Nearest transport / parking | Car only. Free parking on site. No public transport. |
| Typical time needed | 1 hour 20 minutes for the guided cave tour. Allow 2–3 hours for extra activities. |
Meramec Caverns opening hours
Meramec Caverns operates on a detailed seasonal schedule. The cave closes entirely from 5 January through 27 February each year. Specific hours by period are listed below.
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| 1–4 January | Daily 9:00–4:00 |
| 5 Jan–27 Feb | Closed |
| 28 Feb–30 April | Mon–Fri 9:00–4:00 / Sat–Sun 9:00–5:00 |
| 1–22 May | Mon–Fri 9:00–5:00 / Sat–Sun 9:00–6:00 |
| 23 May–30 June | Mon–Fri 9:00–6:00 / Sat–Sun 9:00–7:00 |
| 1 July–9 August | Daily 8:30–7:30 |
| 10 August–7 September | Daily 9:00–6:00 |
| 8–30 September | Daily 9:00–5:00 |
| October | Daily 9:00–4:00 |
| November–December | Call ahead: 573-468-2283 |
Tours depart every 20 to 30 minutes starting from opening time. The last tour of the day departs before closing.
Meramec Caverns ticket prices
Cave tour admission is $30.50 for visitors aged 12 and over, $16.50 for children aged 5 to 11, and free for children under 5. Veterans and active military pay $27.50.
Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more, with one complimentary ticket for every 20 purchased. An abbreviated 45-minute tour covering the highlights with less walking is available for groups. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in June 2026. Meramec Caverns is not included in any city pass or multi-attraction scheme.
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- 🌆 Take a small group tour of the Gateway Arch – including tickets to the top.
- 🚢 Combine a visit to the Gateway Arch with a river cruise.
- 📸 At the Museum of Illusions, get reels of cool social media photos.
- 👻 Discover the dark side of St Louis on an evening ghost tour.
- 🍽️ On a food and history walking tour, learn about the flavours and stories of St Louis.
How to get to Meramec Caverns
The cave is signposted from Interstate 44 at Exit 230, near Stanton, Missouri. It is around 60 miles southwest of St. Louis and about 20 miles west of the town of Sullivan.
The site is accessible only by car. There is no public transport. From St. Louis, follow I-44 west to Exit 230 and follow the signs; the approach road is well marked.
Parking at Meramec Caverns
Free parking is available on site in a large surface car park directly beside the visitor buildings. Space for cars and RVs is plentiful.
There is no charge for parking and no time limit during operating hours.
How long to spend at Meramec Caverns
The standard guided cave tour takes 1 hour and 20 minutes, covering 1.25 miles round trip. Most visitors arrive, tour the cave, and leave within 2 hours.
Allow 2 to 3 hours if adding extra activities such as the Jesse James Wax Museum, panning for gold, or eating at the restaurant. The cave temperature is a constant 60°F year-round, making it comfortable in summer and chilly enough to warrant a light jacket in warmer months.
Accessibility at Meramec Caverns
The tour route follows well-lit, paved walkways with handrails throughout. Concrete paths and the even surfaces make the cave reasonably accessible. However, strollers are not permitted inside.
Visitors with significant mobility limitations should call ahead on 573-468-2283, since parts of the route involve inclines and steps.
Inside Meramec Caverns: what to see
The cave complex extends upwards past the equivalent height of a seven-storey building and holds some of Missouri’s most varied cave formations. Highlights on the standard tour include the Wine Table, described by the operator as the world’s rarest cave structure, formed entirely under water. The Mirror River is a shallow underground stream that creates an optical illusion of great depth through reflection.
The tour ends in the large Theatre Room, where a computerised LED light show was installed in 2014, accompanied by the singing of God Bless America. The show is dedicated to military, police, firefighter, and emergency services personnel.
The cave has a documented connection to the outlaw Jesse James, who reportedly used it as a hideout, and produced saltpetre for gunpowder during the Civil War. On site, the Jesse James Wax Museum explores this history separately and is accessed for an additional charge.
Seasonal outdoor activities include the zipline (weekends in May and October, daily June through September), gold panning (weekends through September, weather permitting), a climbing wall (summer only), and riverboat excursions on the Meramec River (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Tours depart every 20–30 minutes; arrive early to minimise waiting, especially at weekends. |
| Crowds | Peak season is July through August; spring and autumn visits are quieter. |
| Layout | The cave entrance, restaurant, and gift shop are all grouped near the main car park. |
| Entry process | No advance booking is required for individual visits; pay at the ticket desk on arrival. |
| On-site logistics | Bring a light layer regardless of outside temperature; the cave is a constant 60°F. |
Frequently asked questions about Meramec Caverns
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Meramec Caverns open year-round? | No. It closes entirely from 5 January through 27 February, and November–December hours require calling ahead. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No reservation is required for individuals; tickets are sold at the desk on arrival. Groups of 15+ should book ahead. |
| Is Meramec Caverns suitable for young children? | Yes, children under 5 enter free, but strollers are not permitted inside the cave. |
| How cold is it inside Meramec Caverns? | A constant 60°F (15°C) year-round. A light jacket is recommended whatever the weather outside. |
| How long does the cave tour last? | The standard tour takes 1 hour and 20 minutes and covers 1.25 miles. |
Things to do near Meramec Caverns
- Jesse James Wax Museum (on site): a separately ticketed museum exploring the Jesse James connection to the cave.
- Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg, MO: another Missouri show cave, about 15 miles west on I-44.
- Meramec State Park, Sullivan, MO: a state park with trails, river access, and camping along the Meramec River, about 5 miles east.
- Washington Historic District: a well-preserved small city on the Missouri River with wine country and river heritage, about 35 miles north.
- Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka, MO: a theme park off I-44, about 30 miles east.
What to visit tomorrow
- Onondaga Cave State Park (Leasburg, MO): a guided show cave tour in a Missouri state park, about 15 miles west.
- Fisher Cave, Meramec State Park (Sullivan, MO): a smaller guided cave tour in a nearby state park, about 5 miles east.
- Mark Twain Cave (Hannibal, MO): a historic cave linked to Mark Twain and his novel Tom Sawyer, about 2 hours north.
- Bridal Cave (Camdenton, MO): a show cave near Lake of the Ozarks, about 1 hour 30 minutes west.
- Jacob’s Cave (Versailles, MO): a small commercial cave in the Lake of the Ozarks region, about 1 hour 40 minutes west.
More Missouri travel
Other Missouri travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in St Louis, Missouri.
- Top tips for planning a visit to Gateway Arch National Park and the Old Courthouse in St Louis.
- St Louis’ Forest Park: Guides to Saint Louis Zoo, the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Missouri History Museum.
- Practical guide to visiting the Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River.
- Watch the Missouri River join the Mississippi at Confluence Point State Park.
