Linville Caverns
Encyclopedia
Linville Caverns are privately owned active limestone caverns located in northern McDowell County, North Carolina
, just south of the village of Linville Falls
, on U.S. Highway 221. The caverns are open to the public year round for guided tours. Linville Caverns have been open for tours since the late 1930s and remain the only show caverns in North Carolina
The caverns were discovered in 1822 by local fishermen and since that time have been of interest to locals and travelers alike. Half hour guided tours escort visitors through the caverns with information about cavern history, resident creatures, and the formations viewed along the way.
Formed in a deposit of Shady Dolomite at the base of Humpback Mountain, Linville Caverns offer an environment for the public to explore the subterranean world of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors hear the lore surrounding the caverns, including the tale of the Civil War deserters who used the caverns as a hideout, as well as the geology of the stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations found on the tour route.
In the fall and winter months, caverns visitors may be able to view the caverns' most popular residents, the Eastern Pipistrelle
and Little Brown bats. These insect-eating creatures hibernate in the caverns from late fall until early spring.
McDowell County, North Carolina
-Cities and towns:*Marion *Old Fort-Unincorporated places:*West Marion*Little Switzerland*Nebo*Glenwood*Pleasant Gardens*North Cove-Education:The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:*Marion Elementary School...
, just south of the village of Linville Falls
Linville Falls, North Carolina
Linville Falls is an unincorporated community at the junction of Avery, Burke, and McDowell counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The community is named after Linville Falls, a nearby waterfall in the Linville Gorge Wilderness.- Attractions :...
, on U.S. Highway 221. The caverns are open to the public year round for guided tours. Linville Caverns have been open for tours since the late 1930s and remain the only show caverns in North Carolina
The caverns were discovered in 1822 by local fishermen and since that time have been of interest to locals and travelers alike. Half hour guided tours escort visitors through the caverns with information about cavern history, resident creatures, and the formations viewed along the way.
Formed in a deposit of Shady Dolomite at the base of Humpback Mountain, Linville Caverns offer an environment for the public to explore the subterranean world of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors hear the lore surrounding the caverns, including the tale of the Civil War deserters who used the caverns as a hideout, as well as the geology of the stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations found on the tour route.
In the fall and winter months, caverns visitors may be able to view the caverns' most popular residents, the Eastern Pipistrelle
Eastern Pipistrelle
The Tricolored Bat is a species of bat that is widely distributed throughout the eastern parts of North America, ranging west until Kansas and Texas, from Honduras up north until southern Ontario...
and Little Brown bats. These insect-eating creatures hibernate in the caverns from late fall until early spring.