Luray​ Caverns vs. Skyline Caverns

Misadventures happen (or they happen to me pretty often haha) and my trip to Shenandoah National Park in November of 2018 would definitely be classified as a misadventure. But on this particular misadventure, there was a highlight: the caverns of the Shenandoah Valley.

To make a long story short, it was quite the misadventure that included driving what should have taken 2.5 hours in a snowstorm. It actually took 6 hours and after I hunkered down in my Airbnb for the night, I lost power. The Skyline Drive was closed due to the weather, click here to read my suggestions for what to do if this happens during your visit to the area. I only ended up being able to go to Skyline and Luray Caverns during my roughly 72 hours at Shenandoah National Park. 

So, I thought I would do a little “cavern off”, to help you decide which caverns you would like to visit. I give you…

Luray Caverns vs. Skyline Caverns 

Skyline Caverns:

I started with Skyline, so I am going to start with them here as well. Visit their website here for more information.

The Basics:

Address: 10344 Stonewall Jackson Hwy, Front Royal, VA 22630

Hours: Vary depending on the time of year. Click here for hours during your visit. During my visit in November, the hours were 9 am to 4 pm.

Cost: Adults (14+) – $22, Children (7-13) – $11, Children 6 and under are free. 

History:

It all started in 1937 when Walter S. Amos after carefully examining surface topography uncovered a secret that had been in Shenandoah beneath the earth’s surface for nearly 60 million years. The Skyline Caverns opened to the public in 1939 and have welcomed millions of visitors through the years. 

The Details:

The tour takes about an hour and smaller tour group sizes make this very personalized. In fact, during my visit, I had a personal tour because I (along with my mom and sister) were the only people there. They also have a miniature train, mirror maze, and nature trail on site. 

My Favorites:

Wishing well, Fairyland Lakes and Anthodite Rooms. 

Fun Fact:

Skyline Caverns is one of the only places on earth where Anthodites are displayed. 

Luray Caverns:

Visit their website here for more information.

The Basics:

Address: 101 Cave Hill Road, Luray, Va 22835

Hours: Open every day from 9 am – 4 pm

Cost: Adults – $28, Children (6-12) – $15 and free under age 6. Admission prices cover the cavern tour, Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Toy Town Museum, and Luray Valley Museum. 

History:

Known as geologies Hall of Fame, Luray Caverns are the largest and most popular caverns in Eastern America. These formations are 4 million centuries in the making and it was discovered in 1879 by a tinsmith.  These caverns have been renowned as one of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders. 

The Details:

The tour takes about an hour and the groups are very large. Expect lines at ticketing and before the tour even starts people begin lining up. I am more of the “back of the group” kind of person so it didn’t really bother me that people started lining up so early. As mentioned above, they also have a Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Toy Town Museum, and Luray Valley Museum. 

My Favorites:  

Dream Lake, Wishing Well, and Pluto’s Ghost, and, of course, the Great Stalacpipe Organ (an organ that literally makes music out of the stalactites). 

Fun Fact:

Luray Caverns was originally called Luray Lake. 

DING DING: THE WINNER

I was glad that I visited Skyline before Luray. If you are going to tour multiple caverns, I suggest making Luray your final stop. 

Skyline is a much smaller operation and it was very clear that they are more interested in maintaining the integrity of caverns than making money. These caverns take a more no-frills approach which is completely commendable. However, the caverns are also much smaller. 

I loved the personal tour and even when it’s full they pride themselves on smaller tour sizes so that you really retain all of the information presented to you. The tour was very informative!

Luray is massive compared to Skyline, although it wasn’t as commercialized as I thought it would be. When walking up to the building I started to get a little worried but once you are in the caverns all you can do is stare in amazement.  

BUT I didn’t like the size of the tour group at Luray. The tour groups are large and therefore the guides are not as informative. Or if they are, chances are that you won’t be able to hear them anyway. To be fair, I am one of “those” people that hang out near the back to take pictures, but I could barely hear our tour guide the entire time. 

Luray’s lighting really highlighted the formations in the caverns and because it IS more commercialized the lighting was much better here than at Skyline. 

Luray is clearly more established and commercialized and therefore has a better general system for tours. 

In the end, I would say if you are into the no frills, natural, strictly for information caverns then head to Skyline Caverns. It’s worth a visit just for the Anthodites, yes, they are that cool! 

If you want to see some incredibly impressive formations and don’t have a problem dealing with large crowds, then head to Luray. AND if you have time to do both then do both but do yourself a favor and check out Skyline first! 

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