Meramec Caverns
About 1½–2 hours south near Sullivan, MO: the cave tour—our one fully-scheduled day trip, with pizza out on the way home.
This is the big day trip (Day 5, Sunday July 5). The cave was a group must-do, and at a constant 60°F it’s the smartest place to spend the hottest day—out of the heat. Plan: early start, everyone packs their own family lunch, pizza out on the way back, home by evening.
America’s Cave
Just off I-44 near Stanton/Sullivan, MO, Meramec Caverns is Missouri’s most famous show cave—five stories of lit, paved passages and some of the largest cave formations in the country.
- The guided tour — about 1 hour 20 minutes, paved and level, electrically lit; easy for all ages (and fine for the energetic little ones).
- The highlights: the towering Stage Curtain (one of the world’s largest single cave formations), the rare Wine Table, the Ballroom, and the lit-up finale.
- The legend: it was famously used as a Jesse James hideout—catnip for the older kids.
- A constant 60°F inside makes it the perfect escape from July heat.
Dress for it: bring a light layer (it’s chilly underground) and closed-toe shoes (paths can be damp). Strollers are tricky on the ramps—baby carriers are easier.
Kid Add-Ons at the Complex
The cave sits on a riverfront complex with extras the 6–12 crowd loves (each is its own ticket—decide on the day):
- Gemstone & arrowhead panning / sluice — a reliable kid hit.
- Meramec River boat ride — a short, scenic float (seasonal).
- Zipline / canopy tour — for the bigger kids and brave adults.
- Gift shop & snack bar on site.
Our Cave-Day Plan
- Early start: quick cold breakfast, caravan down (~1½–2 hrs), take the cave tour first to beat the heat and the crowds.
- 📦 Lunch: everyone packs their own family lunch (sandwiches, chips, fruit) to eat at a shady picnic spot or by the river—keep it cool and easy. (See the Food Plan.)
- Afternoon: gemstone sluice, the river, the gift shop, and stay in the cool.
- 🍕 Dinner — Pizza Out: grab pizza on the drive back (or back near Troy)—a night off from camp cooking.
Book/confirm the tour ahead in summer: (573) 468-3166 · americascave.com.
Full timing on the Day 5 itinerary.
Decision not yet made: the exact pizza spot (near Sullivan vs. back toward Troy) isn’t picked—drop a suggestion in the group chat.
Also our rainy-day MVP. If a storm parks over camp another day, this same trip is the best dry, fun, all-ages backup.