Marengo Cave U.S. National Landmark — Attraction in Fredericksburg

Just spent Friday July 25th, through Sunday here a friend wanted to take his granddaughter somewhere nice, I told him about coming here many years ago it was nice. Can't say the same about my experience this year. Woke up and find out the air conditioner water is running down the wall and all over the floor, shut the air off put the trash can under it waited until it was time for the office to open, just to have the manager tell me someone would be there around 10 am, get back from Squire boon Cavern to walk into water in my cabin,and we could smell a mildew smell call the office asked what happened to the maintenance man just to have the manager Christine say that I'm a liar that the maintenance man was there and cleaned it up. I tell her reviews are great and hung up, a little while goes by we go up to eat just to have the manager Christine, the maintenance man, and some big bully employee to stop me, the guy twice my size wanted to know what my problem was I told him I didn't have a problem I just made a call to let you all know your cabin was being ruined, before I got done the manager started over talking me and cutting me off,I looked at the bully said I was done have a nice day. Just to have him step forward towards me put his finger up near my face and start shaking it at me, I'm an elderly handicap, I had to point out to him I can't back up anymore your work truck is behind me would you stop trying to intimidate and threaten me. Then he realized all the visitors watching him, he stopped and backed up I went on in to the restaurant, talked to the owner the next day, he apologized. Refunded me for the cabin, tried to act like Mr. Nice guy next day to be busted in telling lies he said he had the police department there and his employee did no wrong. I asked what the officers name was, the owner wouldn't give it. We hung up I called the police department to find out the owner was nothing but a liar. So now the bully has charges against him and the health department is investigating them. If you were considering marengo caves, I'd suggest going elsewhere like squire boon that day trip was amazing. I know I'll never come here again as long as these people own it, be careful walking down the stairs a lot are loose if your in the men's bathroom next to the showers watch your knees the toilet paper holder flings opens and hits you in the knee these are tings they have known were broken for a...

I took my 3 and 6 year old sons here for a surprise overnight trip. We took both of the main cave tours and stayed one night in the Dogwood camping cabin. There's not much that could have made my trip any better.

All three of us were entertained and educated on the easily accessible cave tours. The local teens giving the tours were well informed and clearly passionate about the caves. Goofy puns abound and the trips are affordable and a good length for almost any visitor, though I'm not sure about wheelchair accessibility unless there's a cave entrance I didn't see. The cave itself is beyond description and surpassed any expectations I had of its natural beauty. The history behind it is pretty cool too from the story of its discovery by local children exploring with just candles to the multiple uses it's seen since opening in 1883.

The campground facility was one of the nicest I've ever seen. We stayed in a camping cabin which was just an air conditioned room with bunk beds and a mini fridge. Each cabin and all the campsites have a fire pit and picnic table an easy access to city water at numerous locations. Many of the campsites have permanent wooden gazebos over the picnic tables also. There are shower and restroom facilities within walking distance of it all and the gift shop/cave entrance is also right nearby. The whole area was clean, well maintained, and picturesque with lots of shady areas.

Service was impeccable and there are so many activities to partake in. We will be making this a regular trip in the future especially as my boys get older and are able to take part in the canoe trips and more advanced cave adventures that are also offered here. I can not recommend this...

If you live within a day trip, this experience is well worth it. Expect to spend around $30 per person (not including gift shops or food). The kid bracelet is worth the $20 because you get a gem mining bag that costs half that, and the other activities that are otherwise paid. Those activities are fun, but not amazing (sky climb, put-put, maze, crawl experience, pedal carts). Still a good break for kiddos between tours. I’d highly suggest planning for both tours, they leave regularly and you can pause between them. We packed a lunch and ate during our break, I’d also highly suggest doing that because the town is super small and your only options are pizza on site or… nothing. So pack your food or eat on your way there and thank me later. The caves themselves (2 tours, 1 cave) are a great start for youngsters and so much easier to get an “experience” than Mammoth Cave (go there next if you like this one but be prepared to wait / pre-book everything as Mammoth is insanely busy). The Crystal Palace route is short but has the best cave features. The Dripstone path is about a mile total (including some time outside) and doesn’t have nearly the amount of cave features but is a totally different experience and much more open, so also worth it. Both are very light walks that I think all healthy ages can navigate successfully. If you’re going to drive to the cave you might as well do both in my opinion. Lastly the gift shop is nice but… it’s a gift shop. A worthy day trip if you want a cave experience without costing a fortune or consuming your entire...