The Crystal Grotto Caves are in Boonsboro, Maryland. They are the only commercialized caves in Maryland. We stumbled on them because we ride our bikes on the C & O canal just past there. After driving by them many times, we decided to visit. Read on to find out more about these caves.
Location of the Caves
Boonsboro Maryland is a small town located east of Sharpsburg Maryland. Both are quaint little towns that shout rural USA. Sharpsburg is home to the Antietam National Battlefields. There are numerous sites in and around the area to visit. It actually makes for a nice day trip. Visit the Crystal Grotto Caves, then explore the battlefields. It is a great learning experience for children, and they won’t even know that they are learning. You can find directions to the caves on the website.
The Crystal Grotto Caves Tour
You will need to check the website for the days that the caves are open. During certain times of the year, they are only open 3 days a week. We went on a Saturday. We arrived early, and we got tickets to the first tour of the morning. For someplace seemingly in the middle of nowhere, it was actually pretty crowded.
The tour itself it quite fun. The tour guide recites a carefully curated script. The group is not large. As a result, it allows for a more personal experience. That’s also probably because the cave ‘rooms’ are not that big. The tour takes about 40 minutes or so, and it is well worth the time. Plus, although the caves are commercial, the entire experience has a laid-back vibe. If you like that sort of thing, this is for you.
Brief History
The caves were discovered in 1920. Inside the cave are stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and delicate draperies along the walls, rooms, and chambers. To learn about the formation and geology of the cave click here. According to the website, these caves have the most formations per square foot than any other cave known to man. To learn more about the history of the cave, click here.
