Bluespring Caverns
Bluespring Caverns
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
245 reviews
Excellent
144
Very good
77
Average
17
Poor
1
Terrible
6
Beth R
Istanbul, Türkiye15 contributions
Jan 2022
Call before you go, on the day you plan to see this cavern. The website is not clear about when they are open. This site is closed all winter and just about anytime there is a moderate to heavy rainfall. They do not regularly update their social media, even though their website says to check Facebook for weather related closings. Don't count on it. I understand from others that they close early on slow days, with no notice. It's a nice place when you can get in, but it simply isn't a reliable business. I found the staff to be unhappy and not very helpful. I've wasted my time coming to this place twice just to find them closed when they should be open. I won't return. Indiana has several other caves that are just as nice.
Also, there's been a price increase. $20 for adults, $12 for kids, age 0-15.
Also, there's been a price increase. $20 for adults, $12 for kids, age 0-15.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J Dabster Etch
Fort Wayne, IN417 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
We visited three caves before this one during our road trip to southern indiana .
By far this was my least favorite just because you do not really see a lot of formations just boat tour inside cavern and its mostly flat...
but we did this after marengo and since we were already at bedford we went to see it ... and this was our last cave tour.
we got free t shirts because we showed them our admission tickets of the other three cave tours
By far this was my least favorite just because you do not really see a lot of formations just boat tour inside cavern and its mostly flat...
but we did this after marengo and since we were already at bedford we went to see it ... and this was our last cave tour.
we got free t shirts because we showed them our admission tickets of the other three cave tours
Written October 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rich J
3 contributions
Dec 2020
Traveled Tuesday at 3:30 pm only to find the gates locked. Found a hotel in Bedford and came back at 9:20 in the morning. Gate was once again locked. Mind you the Website says 9am to 4pm. No mention on their website that they were closed. Tried calling several times and only got a recording. A worker came out and completely ignored us waiting at the gate to check his mail. Be advised that you should call ahead to see if they are going to be open, they do not update their website. Don’t waste your time like we did. When we did get our return phone call they claimed that their website is being completely redone.(but they couldn’t put up anything on telos site to let you know that they are closed for the season). As seen by the pictures they can’t even put a closed for the season sign on their gate. (That would have at least saved us a hotel room).
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MzKittyG
Sun City, AZ526 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
I decided to do the Indiana Cave Trail. It’s 4 caves in southern Indiana and if you go to all 4 you earn a t-shirt. You do not need to go all at once but you probably could do 3 of the 4 in one day.
While a cave this was far different from any of the others. You take a steep walk into the cave walk just a little way underground then the rest of the tour is by boat.
The blue water is phenomenal! I loved it.
We were able to see Cave crawdads and Cave fish and even a rouge catfish (they believe it accidentally got in after some recent flooding).
I would recommend. If you are claustrophobic this may not be the tour for you.
While a cave this was far different from any of the others. You take a steep walk into the cave walk just a little way underground then the rest of the tour is by boat.
The blue water is phenomenal! I loved it.
We were able to see Cave crawdads and Cave fish and even a rouge catfish (they believe it accidentally got in after some recent flooding).
I would recommend. If you are claustrophobic this may not be the tour for you.
Written September 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MClaytonCarson
Indiana142 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
We had a great time. Me, my wife and 9 year old daughter loved it. Our 15 year old guide did a great job. He was confident, knowledgeable and well trained.
Bluesprings is exactly what it advertisers...a river underground. If you're in the area and you enjoy the wonders of nature, stop by and visit.
We will be recommending this to all of our guests. Thank you
Bluesprings is exactly what it advertisers...a river underground. If you're in the area and you enjoy the wonders of nature, stop by and visit.
We will be recommending this to all of our guests. Thank you
Written April 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kaya o
2 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
I loved the boat ride and even my anxious kid enjoyed the dark chilly cave on a hot day. Definitely bring a light jacket. We arrived 4 minutes after the hour, hoping that they will accept the late comers but had to wait for the next tour... We browsed the gift shop, bought a small bag of gem mining kit, fifty minutes went by quickly
Written April 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MomofAPN
Matawan, NJ103 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We stopped here on a road trip and liked it a lot. This is not one of those caves with spectacular stalagmites, but a very nice boat ride on an underground river. Our guide was very funny and told us a lot about the cave. There is a gift store and picnic tables outside.
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HonkHonk
Indianapolis, IN692 contributions
The boat ride through Bluespring Caverns is an interesting trip. It lasts a little under an hour. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for kids. We had a $1 off coupon per person from their website, so for a family of four we did it for $38. Before we went, I figured it might not be so great, but once it was done, I felt like I got value for the money and was pretty happy with the experience. It is worthwhile if you are in the Bedford area for some reason or if you are visiting Spring Mill State Park (a fantastic state park) which is not far away.
To get to the cavern itself, you walk down a steep concrete ramp to an area that at one time was a pond, which collapsed under the weight of its water in the 1940s and became a sinkhole. This being due to the fact that it was situated atop a long underground cavern that stretches for more than 20 miles.
The cavern is filled with water and the tour is by boat. We were there on an August day that was abnormally cool, but within the cavern it was even cooler, probably in the low 50s (F). It was also very damp in the cave, which makes it feel colder, so it is definitely wise to bring a jacket or sweatshirt. I wore a sweatshirt with shorts and was comfortable.
The boat is a long, skinny thing with two rows of bench seating situated length-wise. It is eerily silent in the cavern. At the beginning of the tour the cavern is lighted, but later on only lights on the boat and the guide’s flashlight create any illumination. One of the guide’s tricks was to do is what he called “total darkness,” in which he stops the boat and turns off all the lights. It’s a freaky and somewhat helpless feeling because you understand very quickly that if the lights couldn’t come back on you could not find your way out.
We were told the water is usually clear but when we were there it was a turquoise green due to recent rains. During thunderstorms the cavern can fill to the top. Still, we were able to see some white, eyeless fish and crawfish in the water. There really are not any astounding rock or stalactite formations so if you are a cave connoisseur you might be bored. But if you love caving in general, it’s well worth doing. I would not recommend it for people who have a pathological aversion to tight places or a need to feel in control of their environment. I would also not recommend taking very young kids or even older kids that are easily frightened because it is a bit creepy down there. My 8-year old son was a little scared but loved it. My 6-year old daughter was really scared and loved it only after it was over.
Hope this helps.
To get to the cavern itself, you walk down a steep concrete ramp to an area that at one time was a pond, which collapsed under the weight of its water in the 1940s and became a sinkhole. This being due to the fact that it was situated atop a long underground cavern that stretches for more than 20 miles.
The cavern is filled with water and the tour is by boat. We were there on an August day that was abnormally cool, but within the cavern it was even cooler, probably in the low 50s (F). It was also very damp in the cave, which makes it feel colder, so it is definitely wise to bring a jacket or sweatshirt. I wore a sweatshirt with shorts and was comfortable.
The boat is a long, skinny thing with two rows of bench seating situated length-wise. It is eerily silent in the cavern. At the beginning of the tour the cavern is lighted, but later on only lights on the boat and the guide’s flashlight create any illumination. One of the guide’s tricks was to do is what he called “total darkness,” in which he stops the boat and turns off all the lights. It’s a freaky and somewhat helpless feeling because you understand very quickly that if the lights couldn’t come back on you could not find your way out.
We were told the water is usually clear but when we were there it was a turquoise green due to recent rains. During thunderstorms the cavern can fill to the top. Still, we were able to see some white, eyeless fish and crawfish in the water. There really are not any astounding rock or stalactite formations so if you are a cave connoisseur you might be bored. But if you love caving in general, it’s well worth doing. I would not recommend it for people who have a pathological aversion to tight places or a need to feel in control of their environment. I would also not recommend taking very young kids or even older kids that are easily frightened because it is a bit creepy down there. My 8-year old son was a little scared but loved it. My 6-year old daughter was really scared and loved it only after it was over.
Hope this helps.
Written September 13, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan P
Mount Vernon, IN1 contribution
Nov 2013 • Family
We took 11 scouts for the cavern's overnight camping experience. The total group, with the other scouts that were there, was about 50 people.
We entered the cave around 7:00 p.m. and carried our bags about 100 yards to the main sleeping area. We stayed on metal bunks that had foam pads on them and they do have restrooms available with running water. They divided us into two groups. Our group first took the underground boat tour and the two high school boys that lead this did a nice job.
Then, both groups got back together and a couple of employees gave a demonstration of caving / climbing gear. Then, our group did the wild caving experience while the other group took the boat tour. On the wild caving experience, expect to get muddy and wet as there is some belly crawling through very tight areas. If you aren't comfortable doing this, there is no problem hanging back while the rest of the group does this.
After this, we got back together as a large group and they showed us slides (literal slides, not PowerPoint) of the rest of the cave that we didn't see. We went to bed around 11 p.m. They woke us up around 7:15 a.m. and brought in breakfast, which consisted of eggs, sausage patties, wrapped cinnamon rolls, juice, coffee and hot chocolate.
They have a snack bar available inside and have hot dogs, canned drinks / water and candy to purchase.
After breakfast, we packed everything up and headed out. We were finished and out of the cave around 8:30 a.m. Overall, the boys and adults had a great time. The beds aren't very comfortable, but heck, it's a CAVE.
We entered the cave around 7:00 p.m. and carried our bags about 100 yards to the main sleeping area. We stayed on metal bunks that had foam pads on them and they do have restrooms available with running water. They divided us into two groups. Our group first took the underground boat tour and the two high school boys that lead this did a nice job.
Then, both groups got back together and a couple of employees gave a demonstration of caving / climbing gear. Then, our group did the wild caving experience while the other group took the boat tour. On the wild caving experience, expect to get muddy and wet as there is some belly crawling through very tight areas. If you aren't comfortable doing this, there is no problem hanging back while the rest of the group does this.
After this, we got back together as a large group and they showed us slides (literal slides, not PowerPoint) of the rest of the cave that we didn't see. We went to bed around 11 p.m. They woke us up around 7:15 a.m. and brought in breakfast, which consisted of eggs, sausage patties, wrapped cinnamon rolls, juice, coffee and hot chocolate.
They have a snack bar available inside and have hot dogs, canned drinks / water and candy to purchase.
After breakfast, we packed everything up and headed out. We were finished and out of the cave around 8:30 a.m. Overall, the boys and adults had a great time. The beds aren't very comfortable, but heck, it's a CAVE.
Written November 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phislamajama
bluegrass state2,430 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Went on a Saturday afternoon @ 2:00. Waited 10 min for the next tour. Not bad. The boats are flat bottomed with cushions as floatation devices. They seat around 20. The hill getting down to the cave is steep indeed with hand rails all the way down. There is a bench @ the bottom if you need to catch your breath. The tour itself lasts about 45 min. You troll through the cave with the guide telling you the basic formations. More history of the cave it's self would have been interesting. As far as caves & formations go, this one does does not have the massive ones like some caves do. They did have flow stone, soda straws & stalactites. Blind cave fish & crawdads. Neat experience. Several other boat tours are lost sea sweet water, TN. Twin caves spring mill state park, IN. The lost river, bowling green,KY. American cave museum , cave city, KY. Our tour guide did a good job explaining things, demonstrations of cave thunder & even played a recorder in the cave, a first for me.
Tip : coupon for $2 off on their Internet page.
Do the Indiana cave tour passport. Go to Marengo,squire Boone & this one get it stamped @ each & get a free tshirt. Got ours yesterday. Fun to do with the entire family.
Tip : coupon for $2 off on their Internet page.
Do the Indiana cave tour passport. Go to Marengo,squire Boone & this one get it stamped @ each & get a free tshirt. Got ours yesterday. Fun to do with the entire family.
Written August 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shawn M
1 contribution
I'm a rather large individual. For the overnight trip, it is said that we'd be crawling. Is the spa e wide enough for a 300 lbs man? About how much will we be crawling?
toydiva65
Greenwood, IN18 contributions
I have never done the overnight trip but, after doing the boat tour and hearing highlights of the overnight tours, it's my opinion that the spaces you'll be going through are large enough for you to go through. Otherwise, they would most likely let groups know that ahead of time. Hope you enjoy yourself, the place really is incredible!!
Gayla K
Bloomington, Indiana, United States3 contributions
I don't like to be enclosed in elevators. Do you think it's all spacious enough that I won't feel claustrophobic?
Katy R
Bedford, IN
Hello! If you are nervous in elevators, you probably would be okay, however you are the one with the best knowledge of how you will feel underground.
For a family with 4 kids (17, 7, 5, 3) is this the cave you'd recommend? We'll be in this area and looking for something fun for the family to do.
ajbaker924
Greencastle, PA167 contributions
I guess it depends on your 3 and 5 kids- it is an hour boat ride - will they be okay with sitting for an hour? If so you should be fine. It is also pretty dark in the cave - only light is a light on the front of the boat. There were young kids on our boat and they didn't seem to mind it.
For a family with 4 kids (17, 7, 5, 3) is this the cave you'd recommend? We'll be in this area and looking for something fun for the family to do.
Kim sto
Lebanon, IN39 contributions
I would say the bigger kids would have a blast! My concern would be for the 3 year old. The walk is steep and the boat ride boredom may sit in. So bottom line I don't think the 3 year old would last the boat ride part of the tour. I hope this helps.
gssdixon
Bloomington, IN
When I go to your website it says there is a printable coupon, but I cannot get it to print. Are coupons available?
Katy R
Bedford, IN
Our website no longer offers a printable coupon. However, if you go to the Explore Southern Indiana website (under the Caves section), there is a Bluespring coupon available.
bonk810
Chicago, IL160 contributions
Where do you find coupons for the Blue Springs Cavern? Is it too cold to do this tour in May?
Katy R
Bedford, IN
Hello!
At this time, we only offer one coupon for Bluespring Caverns. It is in the Explore Indiana brochure or you can visit the Explore Southern Indiana website and go to the Caves section to retrieve the coupon.
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Claim your listingBluespring Caverns - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Bluespring Caverns
- Bluespring Caverns is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Bluespring Caverns:
- (3.64 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bedford, an IHG Hotel
- (8.26 mi) Spring Mill Inn
- (5.20 mi) Rosemount Motel
- (5.52 mi) Super 8 by Wyndham Bedford
- (3.93 mi) Candlelight Inn B & B
- Restaurants near Bluespring Caverns:
- (4.99 mi) Magic Morning Bakery
- (4.75 mi) Golden Corral
- (4.85 mi) Smokin Jim's BBQ
- (5.60 mi) Court Room
- (6.01 mi) Jiffy Treet
Bluespring Caverns Information
Excellent Reviews | 144 |
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Very Good Reviews | 77 |
Bluespring Caverns Photos | 147 |