Woodward Cave

Not only is Woodward Cave one of the largest caverns in Pennsylvania, it’s also home to the state’s largest known stalagmite: the “Tower of Babel,” an impressive 14-foot tall free-standing column that formed from hundreds of years of dripping water. It’s just one of dozens of remarkable features in this biologically active (a.k.a. “live”) subterranean wonderland. 

Nicknamed  “The Big One” for its enormous space (though Woodward Cave’s exact size is unknown), the cavern features five distinct rooms—each hundreds of feet long, with cathedral-like ceilings over 50 feet high and passageways winding between them. These include the Ballroom, known for hosting community concerts and various events over the years, and the Hall of Statues—a 300-foot-long expanse that’s home to the Tower of Babel. Ancient stalagmites with names like “Kneeling Camel” and “Lion’s Head” are also on full display throughout the well-lit cavern. 

Woodward Cave first began welcoming visitors in 1926, and will be celebrating its 100th season in 2026. While the grounds are open year-round, Cave Tours take place from May to September only. These guided excursions run 50-minutes each and include all five of the cave’s individual caverns. Learn about the 400-million-year history of Woodward’s limestone bedrock, marvel at sea fossils and hollowed-out mineral tubes known as soda straws, and see bats flying between rooms. In fact, the cave serves as a crucial habitat for these winged mammals during winter months (it’s one of the largest winter habitats for bats in the entire state), with a cool and consistent 48-degree fahrenheit temperature that makes hibernating here ideal. 

If you’d like to make an overnight of it, an onsite campground features sites for both tents and RVs, as well as a shower house, cabin rentals, and a fully-stocked campstore. There’s also over 200 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding trails in nearby Bald Eagle Forest to explore.