Missouri is a goldmine of fascinating cave formations that hold secrets from the past and are complemented with reflective bodies of water that leave any cave diver mesmerized. The state is believed to have over 6,000 caves in all and this makes it the second most popular American state for cave diving. It falls just short of Tennessee, but does not fall short of the adventure and uniqueness that is guaranteed in each cave dive that it has to offer to adventure lovers. Many of the caves are commercially driven, thus making their modern facilities a welcome to cave divers that are also looking for comfort in the middle of unknown wilderness. Below you will find some of Missouri’s most visited caves.
Roubidoux Spring Cave
Roubidoux Spring Cave is the perfect cave diving diamond and is located in Waynesville, Missouri. Many divers that flock to the location are enchanted with it due to its easy access compared to other technical cave sites in the state. Entry is only possible after going to the police station and getting the gate keys. These keys will have to be retuned when you have left the premises. The main entry into the cave begins with a cavern. There is a gravel pit that gives you access to a lower tunnel that is approximately 150 feet deep. The ending of the tunnel is called Big Room and here the depth is 165 feet. There is also another area called the Second Big Room which requires advanced cave diving experience to penetrate successfully. Visibility is guaranteed at 20 to 70 feet and temperatures can range from 50 degrees. Both the flow of the water and the visibility depend on the amount of rainfall that the region receives. Visibility is best during the summer.
Bonne Terre Mine
Bonne Terre Mine is an abandoned mine that is located in the southwest region of Missouri. The pumps that were used to keep water from entering the mine were shut down prior to the closing of the mine. This allowed the water to seep through many cracks and crevices and eventually chisel its way to form the beautiful billion gallon lake that has become renowned worldwide.
The mine is perfect for anyone that is looking for variety. It proudly boasts 24- established dive trails and a mine depth of 365 feet. In addition to this, the crystal clear water in the mine guarantees visibility over 100 feet. There are no currents to worry about and this makes it easy to see the unique rock formations and tools that were left behind by the mine workers. The beautiful scene is even more captivating thanks to the calcium deposits and many other types of minerals that have united together over time to leave the impressive veins and formations in the mine. The area is rarely congested with divers due to the variety of options that are available and the massive size of the mine.
Cannonball Cave
Cannonball cave is not one of the easiest dives in the world, but it is worth the effort since a lot of logistics goes into penetrating the cave. It is also worth mentioning that this dive is for experienced divers given the small size of the many tunnels. Entry into the cave begins with getting past a restriction and once this is cleared the main tunnel then branches off to several other smaller tunnels. The main tunnel can be explored up to 950feet and is approximately 10-20feet high. After passing the main tunnel there is a drop-off point that covers depths of about 295 feet. There is also another restriction so being prepared for this can save a lot of time and make the whole diving process a lot smoother. The Cannonball Cave is also known for its visibility which is guaranteed up to 70feet.
Mine LaMotte
The LaMotte Mine is a flooded mine that has a wide range of abandoned tools and equipment scattered in different areas. There are also lovely if not fascinating rock formations to feast your eyes upon. The mine is made up of a number of tunnels and entry points which look like a maze if you study it carefully. However, despite the confusion that this might cause, there are a number of permanent lines that have been installed to make entry and exit easy. The deepest that any diver can dive is 70feet like many other caves in the Missouri area; the LaMotte has excellent visibility as well.