Want to go cave combing through the region’s most fascinating natural creations? Years of geological processes and spectacular natural phenomenon has led to the formations of these breathtakingly beautiful wonders. From subterranean lakes to milky white waterfalls to freezing temperatures, you can witness it all in these intriguing and mystical natural creations. Go exploring through these underground attractions or go click happy by capturing their unique appeal on camera. Want a heads-up about America’s most scenic caves? Here are our top picks for the most scenic American caves.

1. Sonora Caverns – Sonora, Texas

Known to be one of the United States’ most interesting and beautiful caves, Sonora is an adventure packed cavern for enjoying personal, guided tours. The exquisite caves are popular for their calcite crystal natural formations and unusual helictites. One of the most mind blowing facts about the cavern is that its crystals continue to grow. Watch out for “The Butterfly” (an extremely rare formation), one of the primary attractions here. Opt for the Crystal Palace Tour (a guided walk 155 feet under the surface). Feeling even more intrepid? Go cave repelling by registering for a challenge tour.

The rather intricate cave network is popular for its subterranean lake, probably the biggest you’ll ever find in the United States. The lake is just the tip of what this intriguing natural wonder holds. There’s an unbelievably intriguing mix of crystal cave flowers and other mystical natural formations. If you want a slice of history too along with geology, make your way into The Council Room. It is mile long stretch inside the caverns, known to house a staggering range of artifacts (weapons, pottery, jewelry and more) belonging to the ancient Indians. Temperatures comfortably stay under 60 degrees throughout the year.

You have to visit the Oregon Caves to witness the glory of the original Marble Halls in Oregon. Located bang inside the Siskiyou Mountains, the majestic natural wonder was created as a result of rainwater originating from the old forest and dissolving the area’s marble. The spectacular marble cave is a sight to behold today, and is exquisite network of endless marble caves. Other than a subterranean stream known as Styx River, the cave network features rooms such as the Banana Grove and Paradise lost. Believe it or not, there are formations here called popcorn and bacon. For those wanting to spend more than a day exploring these caverns, there are several campgrounds and even a chalet.

The mammoth Marengo Cave is replete with stalagmites and stalactites, segregated into two distinct parts, the Dripstone Trail and the Crystal Palace. While the Crystal Palace features innumerable formations and gigantic flowstone deposits, the Dripstone Trail has pole stalagmites and subtle soda straws. Theirs is a cute wishing well, where visitors can throw pennies up on the ceiling. There are about eight varied formations to admire. Take a tour of both the sections to save on entry charges or you’ll be left with leaving it for another time.

Believed to be the planet’s third largest cave, the Jewel Cave spans more than 177 mapped miles, with much more still left to be discovered. You can enjoy one of the multiple guided tours to explore the rugged charm of the attraction, the main draw of which are the cave’s stunning calcite formations decorating the rather aesthetic looking cave walls. Sign-up for the scenic tour that takes visitors across several secret chambers and network of passageways below 720 plus steps. Obviously, the tour is recommended for young children. Another popular tour is the Historic Lantern, where you can explore the Heavenly Room and Dungeon Room only with the light of a lantern. If you’re bitten by the adventure bug and seek to explore the caves in their most natural forms, go with the Wild Caving tour.

Undoubtedly the world’s largest cave system, Mammoth Cave is justifiably named, considering the fact that new discoveries are being made here all the time. Running across a staggering 400 miles, the natural attraction offers visitors the option of choosing from a wide range of guided tours according to ability and difficulty levels. The two most popular cave tours are the Great Onyx Tour and the Historic Tour. Savor the experience of strolling through the caves and witnessing massive temperature variations, in addition to learning more about the fantastic underground cave system.

America’s most popular underground cave network has around 400,000 visitors swarming to it each year. Little wonder this, considering the beautiful 119 caves as a result of spuphuric acid dissolving the region’s limestone, thus leading to formations of all types, colors and sizes. Explore the stunning undersea world of the cave’s Big Room section that is teeming with natural stalactite and stalagmite creations. Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours of the primary rooms, or sign up ranger guided tours to experience the eerie Hall of the White Giant or the Rookery Spider Cave. To make it spookier, head here in the evenings when bats are seen darting across the cave.

Millions of cave combing enthusiasts make their make to Luray in Virginia to witness the natural magnificence of America’s coolest scenic cave. The natural formation is replete with a range of water features and unusual creations. It has a remarkably interest underground wonderland that has several paths for people to stroll through. From milk white calcite formations to lofty stone columns, the explorations never seem to end here! The most gorgeous feature of the caverns is a clear lake that reflections all the exquisite formations.

For those that have dreamt of tying the knot in a subterranean cave, Niagara actually has a beautiful underground chapel, where you can say your vows while going “wow.” Don’t worry though, even if you aren’t planning to settle into matrimonial bliss, the cave has some interesting guided tour options that take visitors through a mile long fossil network going back more than 450 million years. Plus there are mammoth cave formations, and a picturesque waterfall. The longish cave has huge rooms and elevated ceiling passageways. Oh and did we mention, you can go gemstone or fossil combing or enjoy a round of mini-golf inside the cave? There’s also a cute souvenir shop, along with a bunch of helpful staff members to guide you through the caverns.