Walk Grand Caverns by candlelight and dig into its 1800s history
120 mins
Candlelight cave tour, Guide
Explore Grand Caverns by candlelight with a knowledgeable guide and focus on the cave’s history throughout the 1800s. Plan for about a mile of leisurely walking inside the cavern.
This tour includes several stairs. If you have difficulty walking, breathing, or navigating stairs, inquire before purchasing tickets. Gratuity for your guide is not included.
Cancel 24+ hours before for a full refund. Full refund if Grand Caverns cancels or closes due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Less than 24 hours: no refunds. Late arrivals are no-shows with no refund. If rebooked, no refund; rebook limit: 2 times within 3 months.
Plan for about one mile of walking at a leisurely pace, with several stairs. If you may have difficulty walking, breathing, or navigating stairs, inquire before you purchase tickets.
Wear comfortable shoes and consider a lightweight jacket for comfort. The temperature in the caverns is 54°F year round.
Yes—bring a camera, but don’t use tripods or delay your group when taking photos.
5 Grand Caverns Dr Grottoes, Virginia 24441
America's oldest operating commercial cave delivers a genuinely impressive underground experience, and the guides are a big reason why. Evan, Kai, Anne, and Adrienne come up repeatedly in reviews for being knowledgeable, engaging, and great with kids. One parent specifically credited Adrienne for easing her nervous children into the experience and keeping the pace comfortable for everyone in the group. The geology tour in particular seems to be a standout option for curious visitors. The caverns themselves are massive, well-lit, and feel authentic rather than overly commercialized. Multiple visitors mention returning more than once, which says a lot. The cave stays a cool 54 degrees year-round, the walking path is mostly flat with some stairs, and the two-hour tour moves at a comfortable pace with rest benches along the way. For those looking for a less crowded alternative to nearby Luray Caverns, this is a solid choice.
Great experience on a hot summer day. The temperature is perfect during the tour and our tour guide Anna was a lot of fun and great with kids. Recommend the cavern for kids with great imagination. The ticket price is fair but wish the cavern is a bit bigger to explore.
Bubble Bubble
July 6, 2026
Great experience on a hot summer day. The temperature is perfect during the tour and our tour guide Anna was a lot of fun and great with kids. Recommend the cavern for kids with great imagination. The ticket price is fair but wish the cavern is a bit bigger to explore.
Bubble Bubble
July 6, 2026
Rent a John E Painter Park shelter from 8am to dusk for your group
Crawl historic cave trails at Grand Caverns with optional climbing and obstacles
Cave with a guide in dark Fountain Cave with route options
Tackle a challenging 3–4 hour caving expedition in Fountain Cave
Play two action-packed games in one hour for unforgettable group fun
Trace Civil War history through caverns marked by soldiers