Squire Boone Caverns: A Summer Must See with Kids
Looking for a great new adventure to add to your summer itinerary with the kids? Look no further than Squire Boone Caverns!
***Disclaimer- My family was provided entry to the caverns and nearby accommodations in exchange for this post. Rest assured, all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post also may contain affiliate links. This simply means that if you make a purchase through one of these links, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you.***
Located just outside of historic Corydon, Indiana, this location boasts some one-of-a-kind sights and experiences. These experiences will have your little ones learning and having fun simultaneously. All of this will be achieved as they are discovering history at its finest.
Squire Boone Caverns has something for everyone at their rural location. Plus, the location is a part of the Indiana Cave Trail (a series of 4 cave locations in southern Indiana). Upon visiting all 4 of these locations, and stamping your passport, you can snag a sweet t-shirt for all members of your party participating!
So step off the beaten path and get ready to be immersed in the rich history of southern Indiana.
Squire Boone Caverns
History
Discovered in 1790 by brothers, Squire Boone and Daniel Boone, the caverns themselves hold much of the history that makes this site unique.
You see, after discovering these caverns, Squire used them as a hiding place while trying to escape from a group of local hostile Indians. Following the time he used the caverns as a sanctuary, he decided to settle his family onto the land that houses the caverns.
Upon his death, Squire was even laid to rest in the caverns. Over the years his burial space has been relocated and can now be observed while on the cavern tour.
Tour
Aside from the history found at in the Squire Boone Caverns, you will also find several unique cave formations that are sure to stun. The favorite formation among my kiddos while in the caverns, were the active rimstone dams. The dams found on the site are the largest active dams in the United States. They are also the second largest active dams in the world.
Best part?
They are all lit up with blue lights making them appear “like something from another world”, according to my 9-year-old.
Also on the cave tour, you are guaranteed to see some stunning draperies, soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. Not sure what those are? No worries, your tour guide will make sure you and your kids have the 411 along the way!
Our tour guide in this cavern system was AWESOME and was very open to my children’s questions! This is a huge plus in my eyes, as these trips are meant to be educational and fun for my kids. I always appreciate a guide willing to work with them. (Even when my 4-year-old chooses to ask the guide if a zombie is going to come out of Squire Boone’s grave.)
Tour Tips
The caverns themselves are large and relatively open, allowing for a comfortable tour with my three children. While I carried my 1-year-old in her Tula, she was still able to take in all of the sights along with us. Ellie was not confined to being tucked under my chin as I had to duck through the cave on this tour, which was a big plus!
***Note to Moms*** At the end of the tour, you are required to climb a 73-step spiral staircase. This is the only exit to the cave, thus be sure that you and your little ones are prepared for this exit!
Be sure to check out the Squire Boone Cavern’s website here for information on booking your own cave tour!
Squire Boone Historical Village
Want to know what sets this site apart from the other caves in the area? The WORKING historical village!
After finishing your cavern tour, you will find the Squire Boone Historical Village just off the main parking lot! Here you will find an old-fashioned soap maker, a candle maker, gemstone mining, and Boone’s Kitchen and Candy Shop!
Candle Maker and Soap Maker
These locations generally do not open for the summer until Memorial Day Weekend. We were able to
see inside a few of the locations however, due to them being open for a school field trip. This was super exciting for my kids because, let’s be honest, you do not get to see soap and candles being handmade every day!
Cooler yet, the products that are made in both of these shops are sold on-site, and available for you to purchase! Exciting right?
Boone’s Kitchen and Candy Shop
While Boone’s Kitchen and Candy Shop was not open for this trip, I was told that the meals and mixes that are available in the shop are not only amazing but several of them are milled on-site at the Grist Mill!
I was also informed that their pies, brownies, and cookies are homemade in the shop, making this a must-see for anyone with a sweet tooth. (Don’t worry, I will be back to sample all of them soon, I am sure!)
In the Candy Shop, you can find wholesale candies, lollipops, and even old-fashioned rock candy! All of these are made in nearby New Albany, IN.
I do not know about you, but I have a REALLY hard time passing up a good cotton candy-flavored rock candy sucker!
We also were not able to tour the Gem Mine Sluice. I did find out a few details on the 50 ft. sluice, however!
During this experience, your little ones (or adult children, ahem, husbands) are able to try their hand at old-fashioned gold mining. After mining, you will be left with fools gold, and a variety of gemstones that you can bag up and take with you.
Another fun option for the moms out there…you can have the gemstones your kids find mounted into a setting right there on site!
The Historic Boone’s Mill
On our visit to the Squire Boone Caverns, our group was able to experience the Grist Mill! The mill itself was also filled with rich history.
This mill was one of several mills that were built in the area by Squire Boone himself once he settled onto this land. It was used to grind grains into meals and grits, used by the settlers in the area.
Today, you and your kids can not only tour the historic mill but also see a live demonstration of how the mill works! That’s right, your kids get to see how much work it took to put a meal on the table back in the 1800s. (Also, why do we now just buy our pancake mixes in a box from the grocery store!)
Stepping outside of the mill, my kids were able to witness the same stream that they saw flowing through the caverns, as it rushes downstream to power the mill. Many questions came from my kiddos about this process. My 9-year-old was particularly fascinated in the fact that they did all of this work without electricity. (Or Youtube tutorials!)
Zipline Adventure for the Family
Another great activity that Squire Boone Caverns offers its guests, is the Zipline Adventure course.
While ziplines have increased in popularity over the last several years, the courses offered here still stand alone in the fact that you are able to zip over Indiana forests and ravines, as opposed to the hustle and bustle you catch in some urban zipline tours.
This particular set of courses is also able to accommodate a wider variety of age levels and excitement levels!
With kids zips for ages 3-6, and a quick zip with only 2 lines allowing you to get your feet wet, the novice and nervous are both easily acclimated to the idea of zip lining.
From there, ages 7 and up can zip on the original, 2800 ft. course. This course takes you up to 70 feet above the forest floor on a ride that lasts approximately 1 ½ hour to 2 hours.
If you elect for a bit more excitement in your day, ages 13 and up can enjoy a 2 ½ hour-long tour on lines that will take you up to 150 feet above the forest floor.
Sounds great right? This is going to be added to my wish list of destinations with the hubby for sure! Be sure to check out this site for all of the information you will need to book your own zip-lining adventure today!
Notable Property Extras
The fun at Squire Boone Caverns does not stop with just the activities listed above! The site itself actually has a couple little extra’s that really make the trip special!
Goat Pen
Just outside of the property gift shop, you will find a pen that houses two resident goats, as well as a pig! These friendly critters are here to welcome you to the property and brought smiles to all three of my kiddos’ faces.
Duck Pond
Just off to the right of the parking lot, you will find a small pier leading out onto a duck pond.
While we did not spot any ducks out on the pond, we did manage to see several large frogs, some fish, and a lazy cat who was out enjoying the shade in the heat of the day. My kids surprisingly found the entire pond experience to be very exciting. (Even though I
would not allow Brendan to go swimming.)
Play Area
Another hidden gem for the kids was the small playground located just behind the historical village.
While this is not your run-of-the-mill city park, the equipment found at Squire Boone Caverns great for our group. It was just enough to run off the kiddos extra energy after they had been patiently listening, learning, asking 50 million questions, and paying attention all day.
Picnic Area’s
An added bonus to any location I go to for summer travels is a good picnic area, and Squire Boone Caverns did not disappoint!
With picnic tables located in several spots across the property, finding a place to sit and enjoy lunch was simple. Trash cans were also readily available across the property making clean-up super convenient!
Upcoming Events
Wild West Show
On May 26th and 27th, be sure to make plans to visit the caverns! On both days, there will be an 1800s camp set up for visitors to learn about and explore. Also, there will be TWO Wild West Gunshows presented each day for spectators to watch! Be sure to bring blankets or lawn chairs for the show!
On June 28th the Wild West Gunshow will return for an encore performance date! Be sure to get these special shows on your calendar!
FREE Admission Personnel Days
Throughout the summer, Squire Boone Caverns also hosts several personnel days. On these days, individuals in community positions (military personnel, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses etc.) get FREE admission. Be sure to check out the events page here to find out which events are coming up!
Accommodations
While traveling through the Indiana Cave Trail, my crew stayed in the Hampton Inn by Hilton in nearby historic Corydon, IN. The hotel provided my kids with a much-needed swim following a warm day of spelunking through the caves. The hotel also boasted wonderful accommodations that were enjoyed by all!
The staff was beyond amazing, and very friendly. Also, the complimentary breakfast had something for everyone in our group to enjoy! I cannot thank them enough for accommodating our crazy, and will stay with them in the future!
You can make your own reservations with the Hampton Inn in Corydon by visiting their website here.
Have you booked your visit to Squire Boone Caverns yet?
If not, be sure to check their website out here to get all the information you need to plan your own trip!
Love this post and need more ideas of places to travel with your kids this summer? Check out why you need to visit Fountain County, Indiana here and get traveling!
