The US is filled with amazing displays of nature, including beautiful caves to explore on your next kayaking trip! Whether you’re paddling through secret caverns in the Midwest or paddling through stunning water-filled caves in the Southeast, there are jaw-dropping spots no matter which state you’re in.

If you’re looking for a peaceful yet adventurous activity in nature, then put cave kayaking on your list! Let’s look at some of the best places for cave kayaking in the US!

1. Crystal City Underground

• Location: Crystal City, Missouri
• Best For: Underground adventure and unique photo ops

Crystal City Underground should go on your list of man-made cave kayaking expeditions. Set in an old sandstone mine, you can paddle through a sprawling underground world filled with calm waters. 

The cavern system is expansive, featuring lofty ceilings and fascinating rock formations. There are also other recreational activities such as disc golf and pole vaulting when the caves aren’t flooded. Guided tours are strongly recommended.

2. Red River Gorge Underground

• Location: Rogers, Kentucky
• Best For: Eerie underground exploration

Red River Gorge Underground offers one of the most unique cave kayaking experiences in the country. Located in an abandoned limestone mine, this adventure takes paddlers through a flooded cavern illuminated by only their headlamps. 

Or, opt for the Crystal Kayak Tour, where kayaks are fitted with LED lights, turning the caverns into a psychedelic experience. 

Since the abandoned mine is completely underground, weather doesn’t affect kayaking conditions, so you can explore the caverns year-round, making the Gorge Underground a great choice for beginners.

3. Emerald Cave

• Location: Lake Mead, Arizona/Nevada
• Best For: Stunning green water and serene paddling

Nevada isn’t all about Las Vegas, you know! Lake Mead is extra special as it’s one of the U.S.’s first national park recreation areas. Within the 1.5 million acres, you’ll find the Colorado River, which glows to the Black Canyon and Emerald Cave. 

Although the tall canyon walls aren’t black per se, the vibrant water certainly resembles emeralds. Keep an eye out for southwestern wildlife during your journey, from desert bighorn sheep to bald eagles.

4. Lost River Cave

• Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Best For: Guided tours and history buffs

Lost River Cave offers a unique underground kayaking experience that packs in the views and education! You won’t find any whitewater rapids here—the underground waters are smooth and calm. 

The tour of this seven-mile cave system comes complete with stories of the area’s past, from Native American legends to Civil War tales. Combine your adventure with a side of storytelling!

5. Apostle Islands Sea Caves

• Location: Bayfield, Wisconsin
• Best For: Stunning coastal caves and rugged scenery

The Apostle Islands Sea Caves are a result of millennia of the push and pull of nature. The cycle of water freezing, melting, and freezing again, in combination with constant wave action, has resulted in this dramatic natural landscape. 

During calm conditions, kayakers can float through these awe-inspiring sandstone caves of Lake Superior. Join a group so that tour guides can help you appreciate all of the cave’s natural beauty!

6. Mammoth Cave National Park

• Location: Brownsville, Kentucky
• Best For: Exploring the longest cave system in the world

Mammoth Cave is famous for its walking tours and adventure tourism in the surrounding forest (did someone say zipline?), but did you know there’s also a chance to kayak on the nearby Green River? As you drift down this peaceful waterway, you can enjoy views of dramatic limestone bluffs and enter riverside caves. 

This is a great fit for nature lovers, as hiking is super accessible once you’ve finished with your time on the water.

7. La Jolla Sea Caves

• Location: La Jolla, California
• Best For: Coastal caves and marine life encounters

La Jolla has plenty of kayak hotspots but its seven stunning sea caves are just begging to be explored by kayak. This is truly a must-visit destination for coastal adventurers who like their kayaking with a side of relaxing beach time. 

When you glide through the waters of La Jolla Cove and the ecological reserve, you’re in a robust marine habitat. You have the chance to encounter seals, sea lions, and even leopard sharks. Sunny Jim’s Cave is one of the highlights with its iconic arched entrance. 

Many kayakers opt to explore the caves with a tour, so that they can navigate safely and learn geological history at the same time!

8. Bluespring Caverns

• Location: Bedford, Indiana
• Best For: Underground river exploration and natural wonders

Bluespring Caverns is home to one of the longest subterranean rivers in the United States, and takes adventure tours to the next level. You’ll pass jaw-dropping geological formations in this extensive limestone cavern system, from towering stalactites to other dramatic rock formations. 

Guided tours take approximately three hours, but with plenty to look at, the time will go by in a flash!

9. Scorpion Anchorage

• Location: Santa Cruz Island, California
• Best For: Spectacular sea caves and marine life

The Channel Islands are a dream destination for cave kayakers, and Scorpion Anchorage is where you can add some cave action to your California kayaking experience. Explore sea caves molded over centuries by the Pacific Ocean. 

En route to the caves, you’ll be able to explore lush kelp forests and abundant marine life as you make your way along the rugged coastline. Depending on the timing of your kayak tour, hop the ferry to the Channel Islands early so that you can enjoy some hiking as well.

Discover the Best Spots for Cave Kayaking in the US

It’s no surprise that there are so many cave kayaking options across the 50 United States. You can choose from rugged coastal adventures, lazy rivers, and much more. In any case, you’ll want to add an unforgettable adventure like cave kayaking to your bucket list! 

Regardless of where you choose to go, exploring these natural wonders from the comfort of your kayak is sure to leave you with lasting memories. Use this list to start planning your kayaking adventure today.