Lost World Caverns

State: West Virginia. Type: show cave near Lewisburg, Greenbrier County. Originally called Grapevine Cave; discovered by Virginia Tech researchers in 1942 and opened to public tourism in the early 1970s. Designated a National Natural Landmark in November 1973. Address: 907 Lost World Rd, Lewisburg, WV 24901.

Lost World Caverns is a show cave a few minutes from Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, formed within passages that were first explored under the name Grapevine Cave. Virginia Tech researchers discovered the cave in 1942, and detailed surveys in 1946 and again in the 1960s revealed over a mile of interconnected passages beneath the surface. The main chamber is enormous by cave standards, roughly 1,000 feet long, 300 feet wide and 120 feet high, with some passages reaching about 245 feet below ground. In 1967, cavers found the remains of a prehistoric cave bear inside, adding a paleontological footnote to the site's history. After a walking entrance was excavated and infrastructure installed, the cave opened for public tours in the early 1970s, and it was designated a National Natural Landmark in November 1973. Today visitors can take a self-guided walking tour along a half-mile loop past named formations, or opt for a more adventurous guided "wild cave" tour into less-developed passages.

Lost World Caverns is located at 907 Lost World Rd, Lewisburg, West Virginia 24901, in Greenbrier County, a few minutes' drive from interstate access near Lewisburg. The cave drains into the Greenbrier River via Davis Spring at Fort Spring.

The cave interior maintains a constant temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, regardless of surface weather, making it a cool retreat in summer and a mild one in winter. Surface weather around Lewisburg follows the four-season Appalachian pattern, with cold winters and warm, humid summers, but this has little bearing on the cave tour itself given the controlled underground temperature.

Because the cave's interior temperature stays at a constant 52 degrees year-round, Lost World Caverns can be visited comfortably in any season; the main seasonal consideration is the operating hours, which shift with the calendar (see Timings). Visitors wanting the fullest slate of daily hours should aim for the Memorial Day-to-Thanksgiving stretch, when the cave is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The cave was originally known as Grapevine Cave when Virginia Tech researchers discovered it in 1942. A 1946 survey and a further survey in the 1960s revealed over a mile of interconnected passages. In 1967, explorers found the remains of a prehistoric cave bear (Arctodus pristinus) inside, a notable paleontological find. A walking entrance was excavated and visitor infrastructure installed, allowing the cave to open to public tourism in the early 1970s under its current name. It received National Natural Landmark designation in November 1973, recognizing its scientific and scenic significance.

The main visitor activity is the self-guided Cave Tour, following a half-mile loop with informational signage past major formations, typically taking about 45 minutes. Visitors seeking more adventure can book the guided Wild Cave Tour, which explores less-developed passages. A gem mining add-on activity, offered in small, big or mega bag options, is available on-site for an additional charge. The property also has a museum, gift shop and picnic area.

Named formations along the tour route include the War Club, a 28-foot stalagmite; Bridal Veil; Snowy Chandelier; and the Ice Cream Wall, among other stalactite, stalagmite, flowstone and rimstone formations. The main chamber itself, roughly 1,000 feet long, 300 feet wide and 120 feet high, is a highlight in scale alone. The on-site museum adds context on the cave's discovery and geology.

Lost World Caverns sits a few minutes' drive from interstate access near Lewisburg, West Virginia. Visitors typically drive in via personal or rental car, as the site is a rural attraction outside town. Greenbrier Valley Airport serves the wider Lewisburg area for those flying in, though ground transport is needed to reach the cave itself.

As of research: New Year's Day to March 1, open Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; March 1 to Memorial Day, open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Memorial Day to Thanksgiving, open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Confirm current hours on lostworldcaverns.com before visiting.

As of December 2021 (per Wikipedia), general admission was $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12; the Wild Cave Tour and gem mining are priced separately as add-ons. Confirm current pricing on the official website, since rates may have changed since that figure was recorded.

The standard self-guided Cave Tour takes about 45 minutes along its half-mile loop; adding the museum, gift shop, gem mining or the longer Wild Cave Tour can extend a visit to two hours or more.

Lewisburg, a few minutes away, offers a range of lodging from historic inns to standard hotel chains, reflecting its role as a small regional tourism and dining hub in Greenbrier County. Specific property names were not verified from official sources for this report.

Lewisburg has an established small-town dining scene, with a mix of casual and sit-down restaurants a short drive from the cave. Specific restaurant names were not confirmed from official sources for this report.

Lewisburg's historic downtown, a few minutes away, offers additional shopping, dining and cultural attractions for visitors extending their trip beyond the cave. Greenbrier County's broader Appalachian scenery is accessible from the same base.

Greenbrier Valley Airport serves the Lewisburg area with limited commercial service; most visitors reach the cave by personal or rental car, since it sits a few minutes from interstate access but has no direct public transit link.

The cave interior stays at 52 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so a light jacket is worth carrying even on hot surface days. The self-guided loop involves uneven, sometimes damp cave surfaces, so sturdy, non-slip footwear is recommended; the Wild Cave Tour, being more adventurous, likely carries additional physical requirements to confirm with the operator. For any emergency, dial 911.

A light jacket or sweater for the constant 52-degree cave temperature, sturdy closed-toe shoes for potentially damp and uneven surfaces, and a camera for the large formations are all worth bringing. Those booking the Wild Cave Tour should check with the operator on any required gear.

Check the seasonal hours before visiting, since the cave's daily schedule changes across the calendar year, with reduced weekend-only hours in the January-to-March window. Combine a cave visit with a stop in nearby Lewisburg's historic downtown for a fuller day trip. Booking the Wild Cave Tour or gem mining add-ons ahead of a visit, where possible, can help avoid availability issues during busy periods.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Lost World Caverns can be reached directly at (304) 645-6677 or info@lostworldcaverns.com for visitor questions.

Lost World Caverns - https://www.lostworldcaverns.com/

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This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.