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Crystal Cave photo gallery

83 photos, organized by room. Credits link to the original source. Tag your own with #CrystalCaveMO.

The Entrance

The old iron jail doors at the foot of the stone steps, looking up toward daylight.
The old iron jail doors at the foot of the stone steps, looking up toward daylight. Source: Crystal Cave
Iron bars of the old jail doors beside the stone stairway that climbs out of the sinkhole.
Iron bars of the old jail doors beside the stone stairway that climbs out of the sinkhole. Source: Crystal Cave
A grassy hillside sinkhole with a flagstone stairway leading down to a small gated opening in the rock.
A grassy hillside sinkhole with a flagstone stairway leading down to a small gated opening in the rock. Source: Ozarks Alive
A slug on moss beside a limestone rock near the cave entrance.
A slug on moss beside a limestone rock near the cave entrance. Source: Crystal Cave

The First Room

A stone-walled stairway rising to a small lit window in a rocky cave room, with a Crystal Cave Missouri logo.
A stone-walled stairway rising to a small lit window in a rocky cave room, with a Crystal Cave Missouri logo. Source: Adventures With C3 (YouTube thumbnail)
A stone-walled stairway rising to a small lit window in a rocky cave room.
A stone-walled stairway rising to a small lit window in a rocky cave room. Source: Schlaeger Outdoors Adventures (YouTube thumbnail)

The Concert Hall

Hundreds of hollow soda straw stalactites hanging from the Concert Hall ceiling.
Hundreds of hollow soda straw stalactites hanging from the Concert Hall ceiling. Source: Crystal Cave
Soda straws crowding the Concert Hall ceiling above the lit tour path.
Soda straws crowding the Concert Hall ceiling above the lit tour path. Source: Crystal Cave
A long soda straw hanging below the rest in the Concert Hall.
A long soda straw hanging below the rest in the Concert Hall. Source: Crystal Cave
A pale cave salamander on the wet cave floor.
A pale cave salamander on the wet cave floor. Source: Crystal Cave

Rainbow Falls

Water rushing over rocks into a pool beside the tour railing, Rainbow Falls.
Water rushing over rocks into a pool beside the tour railing, Rainbow Falls. Source: Crystal Cave

The Ghost Room

A tour guide talks with a visitor in a low cave passage beside a sign partly reading Ghost, with soda straws on the ceiling.
A tour guide talks with a visitor in a low cave passage beside a sign partly reading Ghost, with soda straws on the ceiling. Source: KY3 video still

The Rocky Mountain Chamber

Fluted flowstone and a crusted ceiling at the Washington Monument, just before the Rocky Mountain Chamber.
Fluted flowstone and a crusted ceiling at the Washington Monument, just before the Rocky Mountain Chamber. Source: Crystal Cave
A broad lit chamber with a large golden flowstone mound labeled Washington Monument, soda straw stalactites overhead and a railed walkway at left.
A broad lit chamber with a large golden flowstone mound labeled Washington Monument, soda straw stalactites overhead and a railed walkway at left. Source: Brandon Alms (417 Magazine)
A wide view of a cave chamber with a tall flowstone formation beside a sign reading Washington Monument and a low ceiling of soda straws.
A wide view of a cave chamber with a tall flowstone formation beside a sign reading Washington Monument and a low ceiling of soda straws. Source: KSMU (photographer not shown)

The Cathedral Chamber

A historic photo of a bearded man in a straw hat standing beside a great column, with a hand-lettered Crystal Cave sign.
A historic photo of a bearded man in a straw hat standing beside a great column, with a hand-lettered Crystal Cave sign. Source: Crystal Cave historic collection

Jacob's Room

A large drapery stalactite above a pit ringed with white stalagmites, Jacob's Room.
A large drapery stalactite above a pit ringed with white stalagmites, Jacob's Room. Source: Crystal Cave

The Helictite Room

A cave ceiling hung with soda straws and stalactites in warm light, Helictite Room.
A cave ceiling hung with soda straws and stalactites in warm light, Helictite Room. Source: Crystal Cave
A rock ledge fringed with hundreds of thin stalactites, Helictite Room.
A rock ledge fringed with hundreds of thin stalactites, Helictite Room. Source: Crystal Cave
Orange draperies and stalactites crowding the ceiling, Helictite Room.
Orange draperies and stalactites crowding the ceiling, Helictite Room. Source: Crystal Cave
A dense ceiling of thin formations with white helictites curling sideways, Helictite Room.
A dense ceiling of thin formations with white helictites curling sideways, Helictite Room. Source: Crystal Cave
Pale soda straw stalactites with water drops at their tips, close up, Helictite Room.
Pale soda straw stalactites with water drops at their tips, close up, Helictite Room. Source: Crystal Cave
A knobbly stalactite ending in a clear water drop, Helictite Room.
A knobbly stalactite ending in a clear water drop, Helictite Room. Source: Crystal Cave
Glistening formations, one with a small curl at its tip, against the dark, Helictite Room.
Glistening formations, one with a small curl at its tip, against the dark, Helictite Room. Source: Crystal Cave
The tour path running between formation-covered walls, Helictite Room.
The tour path running between formation-covered walls, Helictite Room. Source: Crystal Cave
A dense curtain of golden soda straw stalactites hanging across a cave ceiling above a rust-colored wall.
A dense curtain of golden soda straw stalactites hanging across a cave ceiling above a rust-colored wall. Source: Crystal Cave (visitcrystalcave.com)
Soda straw stalactites and stalagmites in warm amber light in a cave chamber, taken as a vertical photo.
Soda straw stalactites and stalagmites in warm amber light in a cave chamber, taken as a vertical photo. Source: Office to Outdoors
A red and amber lit walkway winding under a ceiling hung with soda straw stalactites, with stalagmites beside the path.
A red and amber lit walkway winding under a ceiling hung with soda straw stalactites, with stalagmites beside the path. Source: Brandon Alms (417 Magazine)

Wild Cave Tour

Flowstone and a still pool in an undeveloped passage on the Wild Cave Tour.
Flowstone and a still pool in an undeveloped passage on the Wild Cave Tour. Source: Crystal Cave
A caver in a helmet and headlamp in a low, muddy passage on the Wild Cave Tour.
A caver in a helmet and headlamp in a low, muddy passage on the Wild Cave Tour. Source: Crystal Cave
A close macro view of clear and pink calcite crystals with dark mineral inclusions.
A close macro view of clear and pink calcite crystals with dark mineral inclusions. Source: Crystal Cave (visitcrystalcave.com)

History

A large roadside billboard for Crystal Cave beside Route 65 in Springfield, Missouri, photographed in 1979.
A large roadside billboard for Crystal Cave beside Route 65 in Springfield, Missouri, photographed in 1979. Source: John Margolies, Library of Congress (1979)
A historic black and white photo of men standing at a barbecue pit.
A historic black and white photo of men standing at a barbecue pit. Source: Ozarks Alive (historic photo)
A historic black and white photo of a large crowd gathered on the cave grounds.
A historic black and white photo of a large crowd gathered on the cave grounds. Source: Ozarks Alive (historic photo)
A vintage Crystal Cave postcard showing the cave sign and building.
A vintage Crystal Cave postcard showing the cave sign and building. Source: Crystal Cave historic collection
Historic portrait of the Mann sisters who ran Crystal Cave after Alfred Mann.
Historic portrait of the Mann sisters who ran Crystal Cave after Alfred Mann. Source: Crystal Cave historic collection
Loyd and Edith Richardson, the Crystal Cave owners from 1982.
Loyd and Edith Richardson, the Crystal Cave owners from 1982. Source: Crystal Cave historic collection
An old printed advertisement for Crystal Cave.
An old printed advertisement for Crystal Cave. Source: Crystal Cave historic collection

Grounds and exterior

A tree-lined paved lane leading to the Crystal Cave entrance sign and stone gate in summer light.
A tree-lined paved lane leading to the Crystal Cave entrance sign and stone gate in summer light. Source: Ozarks Alive
The Crystal Cave Entrance sign beside a stone gate, split-rail fence and the tour building on a bare winter day.
The Crystal Cave Entrance sign beside a stone gate, split-rail fence and the tour building on a bare winter day. Source: Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (SR credit)
A green Crystal Cave Entrance sign on a post beside a stone gate pillar, with the wooden tour building behind.
A green Crystal Cave Entrance sign on a post beside a stone gate pillar, with the wooden tour building behind. Source: Brandon Alms (417 Magazine)
A meadow of yellow wildflowers below trees on the cave property.
A meadow of yellow wildflowers below trees on the cave property. Source: Ozarks Alive
A drone view of buildings and a red-roofed garage on bare grounds with a text label Several Outbuildings.
A drone view of buildings and a red-roofed garage on bare grounds with a text label Several Outbuildings. Source: dwlivingthedream (YouTube thumbnail)

Formations (reference)

Travertine soda straw stalactites & helictites (Ohio Caverns, western Ohio, USA) 1.
Travertine soda straw stalactites & helictites (Ohio Caverns, western Ohio, USA) 1. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Travertine soda straw stalactites & helictites (Ohio Caverns, western Ohio, USA) 2.
Travertine soda straw stalactites & helictites (Ohio Caverns, western Ohio, USA) 2. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Helictites 3.
Helictites 3. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Helictites 4.
Helictites 4. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Helictites (travertine) 6.
Helictites (travertine) 6. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Helictites & columns (travertine) 4.
Helictites & columns (travertine) 4. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Helictites & coralloids (knobstone) 1.
Helictites & coralloids (knobstone) 1. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 14.
Rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 14. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 16.
Rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 16. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Wall of Cave Popcorn (e6a1ef9c-9542-44bf-bf3b-8a00f5e6d95e).
Wall of Cave Popcorn (e6a1ef9c-9542-44bf-bf3b-8a00f5e6d95e). Source: NPS Photo (reference image, other cave)
Meramec Caverns rainbow stalactite display - November 2024.
Meramec Caverns rainbow stalactite display - November 2024. Source: Joseph Gage (reference image, other cave)
TWO "SODA STRAW" STALACTITES HANG FROM THE CEILING IN BRIDAL CAVE. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF GROWTHS WHICH, HUNDREDS... - NARA - 551361.
TWO "SODA STRAW" STALACTITES HANG FROM THE CEILING IN BRIDAL CAVE. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF GROWTHS WHICH, HUNDREDS... - NARA - 551361. Source: Bill Kuykendall (reference image, other cave)
BILL MOULDER, GUIDE, NEAR THE END OF THE TOURISTS' PASSAGE IN BRIDAL CAVE. THE STALACTITES IN THE CAVE SUGGEST A... - NARA - 551359.
BILL MOULDER, GUIDE, NEAR THE END OF THE TOURISTS' PASSAGE IN BRIDAL CAVE. THE STALACTITES IN THE CAVE SUGGEST A... - NARA - 551359. Source: Bill Kuykendall (reference image, other cave)
Soda Straw Columns.
Soda Straw Columns. Source: Oregon Caves from Cave Junction, USA (reference image, other cave)
Soda Straw Formation.
Soda Straw Formation. Source: Oregon Caves from Cave Junction, USA (reference image, other cave)
Stalactites, stalagmites and columns in Ngarua Caves.
Stalactites, stalagmites and columns in Ngarua Caves. Source: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia (reference image, other cave)
Soda straw stalactites (Shenandoah Caverns, Quicksburg, Virginia, USA) 2.
Soda straw stalactites (Shenandoah Caverns, Quicksburg, Virginia, USA) 2. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 10.
Rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 10. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Travertine rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 4.
Travertine rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 4. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Travertine rimstone & microgours covering dripstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA).
Travertine rimstone & microgours covering dripstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA). Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 12.
Rimstone (Crystal Onyx Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, USA) 12. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
Helictites in the Diamond Cave.
Helictites in the Diamond Cave. Source: No machine-readable author provided. The bellman assumed (based on copyright claims). (reference image, other cave)
Soda straw stalactites (Shenandoah Caverns, Quicksburg, Virginia, USA) 1.
Soda straw stalactites (Shenandoah Caverns, Quicksburg, Virginia, USA) 1. Source: James St. John (reference image, other cave)
A cave passage with many soda straw stalactites above and a visitor bending low at the left.
A cave passage with many soda straw stalactites above and a visitor bending low at the left. Source: Yelp user photo (name not shown) (reference image, other cave)

Cave interiors (reference)

A dark chamber wall of folded flowstone and drapery stalactites lit warmly, with a face-like shape in the lower rock.
A dark chamber wall of folded flowstone and drapery stalactites lit warmly, with a face-like shape in the lower rock. Source: Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
A visitor stands at a railing in a large dim chamber with a low ceiling and a small sign near the flowstone.
A visitor stands at a railing in a large dim chamber with a low ceiling and a small sign near the flowstone. Source: Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
A cave ceiling and wall covered in stalactites and drapery lit in violet and pink.
A cave ceiling and wall covered in stalactites and drapery lit in violet and pink. Source: Ozarks Alive
A large cave chamber with massive golden flowstone formations and stalactites lit from below.
A large cave chamber with massive golden flowstone formations and stalactites lit from below. Source: Ozarks Alive
Tall ribbed flowstone columns glowing in warm light in a dark chamber.
Tall ribbed flowstone columns glowing in warm light in a dark chamber. Source: Ozarks Alive
A broad cave passage with stalactites and flowstone lit in violet.
A broad cave passage with stalactites and flowstone lit in violet. Source: Ozarks Alive
A warmly lit cave chamber with a tall fluted flowstone column, dripstone curtains and soda straws at the ceiling.
A warmly lit cave chamber with a tall fluted flowstone column, dripstone curtains and soda straws at the ceiling. Source: Crystal Cave (visitcrystalcave.com)
A warmly lit cave chamber with a tall fluted flowstone column, dripstone curtains and soda straws at the ceiling.
A warmly lit cave chamber with a tall fluted flowstone column, dripstone curtains and soda straws at the ceiling. Source: Crystal Cave (visitcrystalcave.com)
A performer and a seated person with singing bowls glowing in a ledged cave room during a sound bath.
A performer and a seated person with singing bowls glowing in a ledged cave room during a sound bath. Source: The Wandering Wolves (YouTube thumbnail)
A cave chamber lit in purple and amber with a small yellow sign reading The Lost City and many stalactites overhead.
A cave chamber lit in purple and amber with a small yellow sign reading The Lost City and many stalactites overhead. Source: Brandon Alms (417 Magazine)
A red and amber lit passage with stalactites above and cone-shaped stalagmites along the path.
A red and amber lit passage with stalactites above and cone-shaped stalagmites along the path. Source: 417 Magazine (photographer not shown)
A warmly lit cave chamber with a tall fluted flowstone column and soda straws overhead.
A warmly lit cave chamber with a tall fluted flowstone column and soda straws overhead. Source: Springfield Business Journal
A vertical collage of cave formations including stalactites and a golden stalagmite pair.
A vertical collage of cave formations including stalactites and a golden stalagmite pair. Source: Crystal Cave
Meramec Caverns rainbow stalactite display - November 2024.
Meramec Caverns rainbow stalactite display - November 2024. Source: Joseph Gage (reference image, other cave)
Meramec Caverns 0064.
Meramec Caverns 0064. Source: Ronincmc (reference image, other cave)
Onondaga Cave State Park.
Onondaga Cave State Park. Source: mostateparks (reference image, other cave)