Luray Caverns

We visited Luray Caverns 8/22/09 onlet to find they have elected to do away with the guides and let people walk through unguided. LOTS OF PEOPLE. It was so crowded in the cave yoy allmost felt like you could not breath.I saw two persons panic and have to leave.There wer children climbing over railings,people touching every formation the could reach, one guy with a lit cigarette,and I even saw one person try to snap off a small formation.They can not let people go unattended through this cave.Its a BAD IDEA. No matter how crowded it gets at the ticket window. I would rather have waited an hour for a guided tour than to be packed in there like that. We will not return to luray.

The stunning natural beauty keeps you amazed for a whole hours. Afterwards you can visit the maze for some family fun. I had a great day!

this is truly an amazing and beautiful sight, unforgettable, but i was told over the phone 200 miles away, that they had a wheelchair lift, after driving the trip, upon arrival, the wheelchair lift was "down for maintenance", very lucky for me i can walk a few steps at a time. they arranged to have a wheelchair at the starting point below the entrance for me, but the walkway became so steep and narrow in places, it would've hurt my companion to push me, so i just walked and rested, bit by bit, through the whole tour. about halfway through, had to use the restroom, no facilities are provided down there and it takes an hour or so for a healthy person to hike. just had to hold it the rest of the way. if you are not somewhat mobile, and your companion is not superhumanly strong, please don't do this tour. there are shorter cave tours in the shenandoah region that may work better for you, not sure though. i wish they would consider putting a tram through there so that all could enjoy it. i wish they had told me over the phone they were having lift maintenance done, and i wish they had told me that the pathway is much too steep for an ordinary man to push a woman totally dependent on a wheelchair. it was beautiful, but i'm glad it's over, and i won't be going back......

Located in Luray, about 10-15 minutes west of Shenandoah National Park, the caverns are truly a fun experience. First, admissions was 19 for adults, but 17 with AAA discount. The caverns are by guided tour only and last about 1 hour. Expect to walk about 1.25 miles, sometimes up and down inclines. They say that it's pretty cool in the caverns but you'll definitely work up a sweat by the end of the tour. If you're looking to take pictures, just trail towards the back of the group. The guide does warn that some lights are turned off "to control the algae" but there are still enough lights to catch up to the main group. There are also a couple of very narrow sections that are only single-file, especially at the end of the tour when you go by the "fried egg" formation. Obviously, you have the advantage of taking your time with your camera if you're at the back. ***You can bring a tripod if you're really interested in doing some long-exposure photography***. In fact, I'd recommend that because flash photography made the beautiful formations look flat and washed out. As previous writers have noted, the place is somewhat handicap accessible. There is a set of stair to get into and out of the caverns. When I visited, the chair lift was broken. Once in the caverns, the management has a wheelchair available. Some of the inclines are steep but nothing a strong companion couldn't handle. It was well worth the admissions price, which is quite comparable to the admissions fee for a national park like Carlsbad Caverns.

Visited 10/20/2007 -- Luray Caverns is excellent. My family has seen every Commercial Cave in the Shenadoah Valley and Luray is the best. My review is directed to the treatment of Handicapped Vistors. We have a handicapped child. The staff at Luray couldn't have been more helpful. One person must accompany the handicapped child on the lift and the remainder of the family needs to go down the other set of steps with any assistance device. They assisted us in transportation down to the cave level and back with no waiting on either end and they welcomed the remainder of the family. In some cases one can be made to feel that they are inconveniencing the facility -- not at Luray Caverns !!

I liked this place alot. I went 4 or 5 years ago with my parents... It was fun and a GREAT place to EXPERIENCE if you've never been through a tour at a cavern before. It has alot of history throughout it that your tour guide will certainly tell you about. You can Even Take PICTURES!!. I think pets are allowed too but dont count me on that one. My opinion is go to it.I went then nd I;m going again this summer with my boyfriend.

As you descend down a stairway into the caverns you immediately feel the air dampen and cool. Minerals cascade from the walls like a frozen waterfall. As tempting as it may be you're discouraged from touching the formations due to salts and oils on the skin that can damage or destroy the current and can prevent the future mineral formations. For a photographer - an hour doesn't seem nearly long enough for the pricey $19 adult admission. The Luray Caverns is also home to the world's largest instrument and the world's ONLY Stalacpipe Organ - hammers are hooked in to a few stalactites and connected to a keyboard. The sound is quite haunting. All in all - this is a great place to visit - the natural wonders that await underground are worth exploring for yourself.

I've been to these Caverns several times over my life time and I think I will go back often. They really are neat and last I remember other things to do were popping up around the area. I think it's a bit pricy, but worth it.

Luray caverns is a unique caverns experience. Not only is it the largest in the state of Virginia, but it's the only one in the world that has a stalagmite organ. The walking paths and tours are accomodating to everyone. The guides are well trained so the experience is a nice one. The cost is a little high but worth the price. I do recommend visiting in the Fall or Winter seasons when the waits for tours are not as long. This is a popular place so it is advisible to call ahead to make sure there is room on a tour for your party. There is a carollion located adjacent to the caverns that is played each Sunday during the Summer. The Grave's family does a superb job of taking care of this property and offering a unique experience for visitors. I totally recommend a visit for the young or old. It's a neat place and good way to spend a couple hours.

A creation so awsume, it is a wonder of this beautiful world we live in. I would recommend it to everyone going by Luray. Cool, clean, well kept and a wonderful experience and a free pass to the wonderful antique car museum goes with the admittance price.