Caverns, animals, and adventure at Olentangy Indian Caverns

Caverns, animals, and adventure at Olentangy Caverns

POSTED BY
Val

Get out of the house and spend a couple of hours at Olentangy Caverns just north of Columbus. If it’s your first time there, you’ll wonder why you’ve never gone before! There’s so much to do…from caverns, petting zoo, playground, putt-putt, gem mining, and more. If you’re going to explore the caverns, it’s always cool down there, so bring a jacket!

The main feature of the attraction are the Caverns that were formed millions of years ago by an underground river. The caverns consist of winding passages and spacious underground rooms that have been determined to have been used by the Wyandotte Indians as a haven from the weather and from their enemies, the Delaware Indians.

The levels are 55 ft, 75 ft, and 105 ft deep and stay at 54 degrees year round. Artifacts and arrowheads found in the caverns are on display in the museum. Tours are $6.95 – $9.95; children 2 and under are free. All tours are self-guided and take about 35 minutes to complete. You need to be able to climb 54 stairs to get into and out of the caverns.

Even if you don’t explore the caverns, there’s plenty to do, including outdoor play structures and lawn games, brand new gem mining sluice ($6.99-$24.99), mini golf ($3), treasure hunt maze ($5), and the highlight for my kids is the huge Animal Encounters Petting Zoo (just $4 per person). They loved feeding the friendly animals and frolicking with them inside the enclosure.

You can also explore the nature trails, check out the gift shop, and bring a picnic to eat in the shelter house.

All tours will be self guided for the 2021 season. The self-guided tour now includes 7 stations with audio and written plaques to make the self-guided experience even better.

They expanded the playground to add swings, and have even added a porch swing for adults to enjoy!