Things to Know When Visiting Linville Caverns

The cavern’s temperature stays a comfortable 52 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. Since these are active caverns, there is some dripping water on normal days. During periods of heavy sustained rain, the caverns can be very wet and drippy. For maximum comfort, please consider a jacket or sweater most days and rainproof jackets after a heavy rain. Shoes, pants, and shirts are required. Shoe comfort is up to the individual.  The cavern’s walkway can be damp in places. It is best to avoid shoes with hard or thick soles. High-heeled shoes are not generally recommended due to walking on an open grate at one point of the tour. Sweatshirts and rain ponchos are available for sale in our gift shop.

Due to the confined spaces and low hanging rocks, we do not allow strollers or child-carrying backpacks within the caverns. If you are waiting in line to tour, you may wish to keep your infant/child in the stroller or backpack until it’s time for your tour. Our porch person will gladly store your equipment while you are on tour or you may consider locking these items in your vehicle. NOTE: Baby front-carrying packs ARE allowed on the tour. For older toddlers, please consider carrying your child while on tour.

Linville Caverns is one of a few caverns that is partially wheelchair-accessible. Please note that there is one step onto the covered porch where tours begin and there is a concrete ramp with an approximately 30-degree slope down to the cave door. Once inside the caverns, the concrete walkway is fairly smooth and level. There are two places that a wheelchair cannot access. The first is a dead-end passage into the narrowest section of the caverns and you may wait at the entrance to this section. The second is in the back of the caverns, where it is necessary to climb a few flat steps going into one room and you may move to the left to meet the tour as it comes back to the main level. If you need assistance getting a wheelchair onto the porch area, please let our staff know and we will gladly assist you. Restroom facilities are wheelchair-accessible.

There are no restrooms within the caverns. The restrooms are cleaned and locked each day at closing. If you are on one of the final tours of the day, the restrooms will be closed by the time you come out of the caverns. Please take the time to use the facilities BEFORE starting the tour.

We gladly accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and travelers checks as payment for your tour and/or merchandise. We DO NOT accept personal checks.

Visitors may carry a pet on the 35-minute tour. Pets on a leash are not allowed within the caverns.