Where is linville caverns in nc

During the Civil War, a few defectors hid in the cavern and lived there. Your guide will point out the firepit, where they made their fire, and show you evidence of the wood, and cinders that remain, and the damage that the smoke did to the cavern roof.

They also found leatherworking tools that they think the defectors used to repair shoes and clothing, in exchange for local goods, including food and supplies. While the defectors thought the caverns would hide the smoke from their fire, they were wrong.

In fact, the fire vented so heavily out of the top of Humpback Mountain, that the defectors basically signaled to everyone surrounding the mountain that they were there, including officials, who eventually found and arrested them. About half-way through your tour, your guide will instruct the group to enter into a very narrow area of the caverns. While doing so, you'll walk out onto a metal grate.

Once everyone is in, your guide will turn on some lights below the metal grating that show a waterfilled cavern. To this date, they have been unable to measure the depth of the water, or "pit". They even tried to send some explorers down into it, but due to it being too tight, they could only make it down about 15 feet or so.

If you are claustrophobic or uncomfortable, you do not have to enter this portion of the tour. Another neat feature of the tour is when you reach a large cavern area, containing only a small old fashioned lamp. The lamp actually has an electric bulb, but it does simulate well, the type of lighting the caverns would have had back when they were first discovered.

Initially, all the lights are turned off but the lamp, so you can see what the originally explorers saw. Then, your guide will turn that light off as well, so you can experience total, complete darkness. You'll complete your tour back at the entrance doors, where your guide will explain about a fungal disease called "white nose syndrome". The fungus is harmless to humans and domestic animals but is lethal to bats. The fungus was discovered on the bats in Linville Caverns and is the main reason there are so few bats returning each year to Linville Caverns.

On the way out, your guide will ask you to wipe your feet over a mixture of water and bleach that kills any fungus on your shoes, to help prevent the spread of the disease.

Coleton saw fish swimming in and out of what appeared to be solid rock. As they ventured closer, they found a small opening in the side of the mountain, the fish were using. They entered through the small hole, and found the beatufiul subterrainian caverns. It looked like the arch of some grand old cathedral, yet it was too sublime, too perfect in all its beautiful proportions, to be anything of human, but a model which man might attempt to imitate.

It was not a large, gross cavern, As we've mentioned, we've visited Linville Caverns a number of times over the years. Here are a few tips we can offer to make your visit more enjoyable:. Linville Caverns, NC. Share 0. Tweet 0. Admission Price. Month s. Day s. Saturday and Sunday. Open Daily. Purchasing your tickets Once parked, you'll want to head into the Gift Shop to purchase your tickets.

Want to make a day of it? Open daily March through November weekends December through February. Hours are 9 a. June through Labor Day. Address: US N. Generally open 10 a. Friday and Saturdays check website calendar for updates. Best address: Near milepost 3. Visitor Center: or nps. More information about the area is available at blueridgetravelers. Share Tweet Share Pin Email. Tours are limited to 14 people total, including underage children.

We recommend you arrive early in the day to purchase tickets for the next available tour. We operate first come first served. Located at the southern gateway to western NC's High Country region, Linville Caverns is an ideal destination for visitors of all ages.

The beauty of our mountains is echoed within Humpback Mountain and visitors are invited to explore the splendor and wonders nature created "inside a mountain". For centuries, the marvels of Linville Caverns were unknown to man. In the early 's a fishing expedition headed by Henry E. Colton, of eastern NC, were astounded to see fish swimming in and out of what appeared to be rather solid rock. A small opening in the mountainous terrain allowed them to enter the subterranean recess that is still home to native trout in an underground stream.