There is no charge to get access to the cave entrance. You must ask
permission at the visitor center before going up the trail to the
cave. The visitor center knows there are geocachers coming and will
answer the questions you need to log this find. Again you must ask
permission to walk up to the building that guards the entrance to
the cave. If the building is closed I will accept a picture of you
at the front of the building.
Cameron Cave is the newest show cave in the State of Missouri.
Cameron Cave was founded much the same way as nearby Mark Twain
Cave, by the land owners, Judge E. T. Cameron and Archie Cameron.
They noticed steam coming from a hole in the ground during the
Winter months of 1925. Cameron Cave has hosted guided lantern tours
that are more geographical in nature since 1978. This cave and its
sister cave, Mark Twain Cave, are still owned and managed by the
Cameron family.
The unique and intricate formation of its passageways, one of three
show caves in the United States with its likeness. Covering 9 acres
of land, the cave holds 260 passages, which total 6 miles in length
if they were to be put end to end. Cameron Cave is the second of
the three maze type caves with these passages, holding over 480 on
half as much land .
A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to
enter. Some people suggest that the term 'cave' should only apply
to cavities that have some part which does not receive daylight;
however, in popular usage, the term includes smaller spaces like
sea caves, rock shelters and grottos.
Millions of years ago the landscape of Missouri was covered by a
shallow sea. Deposits of tiny marine animals and plants on the sea
floor formed thick layers of limestone. When exposed to weather,
these layers of limestone became the world's best "cave forming"
rock. Rainwater, mixed with carbon dioxide in the air and soil,
formed a mild acid which slowly worked its way into cracks in the
limestone and began to dissolve passages.
Most people don't realize that caves are important ecosystems
which harbor a variety of rare and endangered species. Cave systems
also contain significant archeological artifacts, fragile mineral
formations, and easily contaminated water supplies. Caves in
Missouri are susceptible to vandalism, looting by artifact hunters,
and just plain carelessness when exploring. The water and animal
life in Missouri's caves can easily be impacted by sewage, illegal
dumping in sinkholes, uncontrolled soil erosion, chemical spills,
and agricultural run off.
To get credit for this Earth Cache, post a picture of yourself
(face included, no hand shots!), At the entrance of the cave and
answer the following questions.
1. What is the elevation at the entrance of the cave?
2. What type of limestone is the cave made of?
3. How old is the cave?
Exclusive permission has been granted for placement of this Earth
Cache by the Cameron family. A special thank you to Camerons for
allowing Earth Caching in their property.
Logs with no photo of the actual cacher logging the find or failure
to answer questions or negative comments will result in a log
deletion without notice. Exceptions will be considered if you
contact me first (I realize sometimes we forget our cameras or the
batteries die).
I have used sources available to me by using google search to get
information for this earth cache. I am by no means a geologist. I
use books, internet, and asking questions about geology just like
99.9 percent of the geocachers who create these great Earth Caches.
I enjoy Earth Caches and want people to get out and see what I see
everytime I go and explore this great place we live in.