Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Underground waterfall, boat ride, formations to wow Indiana Cavern visitors

(News Release)
 
Cave filled with Ice Age bones has opened to the public
 
Corydon, IN – Indiana Caverns opened to the public June 15, 2013, joining Squire Boone Caverns and Marengo Cave to create one of the nation's most noteworthy caving destination.

In what is among the most significant archeological finds in the US in decades, an Indiana man just discovered a huge cache of Ice Age bones while digging out this portion of the Binkley Cave System.

In order to develop Indiana Caverns for visitors, life-long spelunker Gary Robson uncovered Pleistocene-era remains of dozens of animals.

The find includes prehistoric black bear, bison, peccary (flat-headed boar), fisher (cat-like animal), snakes, owls and other birds in such large numbers that the cave could keep several paleontologists excavating for years.

In fact, the area is now known as Big Bone Mountain. Robson and his team of cave developers have now transformed the phenomenon into a spectacular visitor experience. Complete details on Indiana Caverns, the nation's newest show cave, are available are available at www.indianacaverns.com

Visitors who enter Indiana Cavern’s vast-high domed entryway are met with an awesome view. Spiraling down, guests traverse a 25-foot bridge to the balcony overlooking the now famous Big Bone Mountain, where the ancient animal remains were discovered and remain for visitors to see.  The tour includes grand panoramas of flowstone formations, stalactites, stalagmites, as guests learn the history behind this fascinating natural and historic wonder. The cave collapsed some 25,000 years ago, trapping hundreds of animals within, and making the Binkley Cave System one of the most diverse species caves in the world.  After traveling down Blowing Hole Boulevard, travelers enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the underground river while passing majestic waterfalls.

Because the caves remain temperate all year long, Indiana Caverns are open to the public year round and are enjoyable in any season.  Tours are offered a.m.-6 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas are last about an hour and 15 minutes.  The Indiana Caverns gift shop is stocked with unique souvenirs and an onsite gem mining experience is popular with junior spelunkers. 

Beyond its rich caving and natural offerings, Harrison County offers everything from incredible wineries to the nostalgia of a trio of old-time ice cream parlors.  The State Historic Site marks Corydon’s place as Indiana’s first capitol, while travelers are fascinated by the Constitution Elm, a Civil War battlefield and tours of the Leora Brown School, one of the nation’s oldest standing early African American schoolhouses. Diverse dining and accommodations include a historic B&B, affordable modern hotels, country cafés and even a luxurious riverboat casino.

Complete traveler information and a free visitor’s guide are available at thisisIndiana.org or (888) 738-2137.

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