Marvel Cave — Attraction in Branson

Deepest cave in Missouri at 505 feet below the surface. The attraction that started Silver Dollar City. In operation since the 1800s, the Cave was originally called Marble Cave, since they first mistook the limestone for marble. It was mined for guano, starting a short-lived mining town called Marmaros (Greek for marble), the current site of Silver Dollar City. The Lynch family renamed it Marvel Cave, and bequeathed the cave to the Presbyterian church and College of the Ozarks, jointly, with a 99 year lease granted to the Herschend family.

There are 700 steps in the cave: 500 going down, and 700 coming back up. You'll start your tour by descending a tower down into the Cathedral Room, 204 feet below the surface, which holds the world record for largest underground hot air balloon lift (5 hot air balloons).

In spring, you'll likely see a few of the thousands of bats that use Marvel Cave as a hibernicula and to birth their pups. Tri-Color (formerly Eastern Pipisterel), big brown, grey, and little brown bat are the primary types.

You'll visit the Shoe room (look up), the cloud room (dolomite layer), the Gulf of Doom, the mud room, and Blondie's Throne before climbing up nearly 200 steps to board a cable train that defies engineering, where you're brought back to where you began (Hospitality House). It's free with park Admission, unless you opt for the Lantern Light tour, the only paid tour, where you see the Cave like the explorers did, and hear more of the history, the mystery, and the ghost stories. You'll even see the cabin inside the Cave where Harold Bell Wright wrote part of the Shepherd of the Hills and a Spanish ladder believed to be 500 years old.

The free tours are for all ages, but the Lantern Light tour is for 10+ with adult.

It's a natural karst system (limestone) cave, so it is not handicap accessible. No wheelchairs or strollers permitted. No elevator, either. It's a strenuous walking tour, so not for those with heart problems, mobility problems, or are pregnant. Allow 1-1.5 hours for the...

This is a beautiful cave system. The folks at Silver Dollar City have made this cave system, as accessible as possible. Through numerous steps and walkways you will traverse deep into the earth. I won't lie and say that the hour long guided tour is easy. It does take some effort to complete this tour. As part of your day at Silver Dollar City, I highly recommend this to be the first attraction you visit, if you are going to take the tour. You will burn some calories, on this tour. Make sure you have eaten something and hydrated before taking the hike. Oh, and do not forget to use the restroom before taking the tour. You will not have access to any facilities for over an hour.

The hiking tour is guided, and you will make several stops on the tour. Your guide will provide you with all sorts of history about the cave system. The tour guides are very friendly and happy to answer any of your questions. The hardest part about the tour, will be the, huff and puff steps at the end of the tour. You ascend a section of steps that will definitely make you huff and puff. But don't worry, at the top of these steps is your tram car that will take you out of the cave, and return you to the visitor center.

This tour is a lot of fun and is always a highlight of any day at Silver...

Very weird because I know for a fact I have already posted a review for marble cave, so I don't know why it's now asking me for one. But, if you go to Silver Dollar city, do not miss Marvel cave! You will learn a lot of the history of the area, you will see some gorgeous formations, you will hear some amazing stories, you will see an amazing cave, and you will get to ride the very first ride Silver Dollar City ever had, it actually proceeds Silver Dollar City because it is a ride that was available when it was simply Marvel cave Park. Do not miss the cave when you go to Silver Dollar city! Also understand that this is not a ride. It is a half mile hike underground. You will walk about 500 stairs, go through uneven walkways, you will be in tight and dark spaces. It is not recommended if you have weak ankles or knees, back hip or neck problems respiratory issues, heart condition, breeding difficulties, possibly pregnant, recently suffered injury or illness, Vision impairment, trouble walking bending or stooping. Please understand these are not scare tactics, if these are issues for you, you may want to reconsider going in...