The cavern walls are composed of Ordovician-aged limestone deposited approximately 450 million years ago.
The cave was utilized by the Seneca and Tuscarora tribes as a meeting place long before European arrival.
The first recorded exploration of the cave occurred in 1795 by James Quinn.
During the winter, the wildlife preserve animals are moved to specific winter quarters to protect them from extreme weather.
The water depth within the cavern varies based on recent precipitation levels but typically stays between 5 and 15 feet.
The cavern is entirely water-filled, leaving no dry walking paths for the standard tour.
The site operates as a working farm in addition to its tourism functions.
The cave is part of a larger interconnected limestone karst system in the Kishacoquillas Valley.
Penn's Cave and Wildlife Park is the only all-water cavern in the United States listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors navigate the limestone cavern exclusively via flat-bottom motorboats. The subterranean tour follows Penn’s Creek through stalactite and stalagmite formations. Beyond the cave, the park features a 90-minute farm-nature tour through a 1,600-acre wildlife preserve. This surface tour provides views of bison, elk, bear, longhorn cattle, and wolves. The cave maintains a constant internal temperature of approximately 52 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The cavern has been open to the public for guided tours since 1885. It remains a privately owned enterprise operating on a historic karst landscape in Central Pennsylvania.
The cavern entrance, where the boat emerges from the hillside, provides the most iconic lighting and perspective.
Bring a light jacket or fleece, as the cave remains chilly even during hot summer months.
Arrive early in the day to beat potential crowds, especially during peak summer weekends.
Wear non-slip, comfortable walking shoes for the dock areas and the unpaved paths of the wildlife tour.
Don't assume the cave tour and wildlife tour are the same ticket; they are separate experiences that require different reservations.
Closed annually in January and February; tours may be suspended temporarily if local water levels rise significantly due to heavy flooding.
No flash photography is allowed inside the cave to protect delicate rock formations and visibility for others.
