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Delaware, Ohio: Olentangy Indian Caverns

Commercial cave features a formation said to resemble Ohio's Chief Leatherlips. Opened in 1935, descends over 100 feet below ground.

Address:
1779 Home Rd, Delaware, OH
Directions:
NW of Columbus via 315 or 23; exit and head west on Home Rd.
Hours:
Daily 9:30-5 pm April 1 - October 31. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
740-548-7917
Admission:
$8.50 - 16 years and older.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
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Visitor Tips and News About Olentangy Indian Caverns

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Olentangy Indian Caverns.

Olentangy Indian Caverns

Every kid should be familiar with the concept of Native American caves before they read Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer. Olentangy is the perfect cave to explore! It isn't so big that you can get lost and at no point is it scary -- but it's just exotic enough to be fun. Our tour guide was a really sweet high schooler who was well-trained in answering questions and patiently waiting for stragglers ogling at the cave walls.

We didn't see the petting zoo or climbing wall mentioned in other reviews, but the cavern is the real attraction - followed by the 'gem mining' and trading post with myriad shopping opportunities! It's worth stopping, but they do close promptly so give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

[Gordon Family, 08/01/2011]

Indian Council Chamber.

Olentangy Indian Caverns

Just off of U.S. 23 there is Olentangy Indian Caverns. You enter a small cabin that houses the entrance to the caverns and descend down two flights of stairs. Here you enter the beginning of the caverns (which will take you 105 ft. below the surface). At certain points there are buttons to push where you will hear audio about the history of the caverns. There are many interesting facts and sights here. There is a formation that is said to resemble Chief Leather Lips, a possible Indian burial ground, carvings in the walls dating back to the 1800s etc. If you stop at each area and listen to all of the history it can take 45 min. to an hour to make it all the way through. Once you make it back to the surface there is a trading post, a small petting zoo, a climbing wall, and an area that looks like an old western town.

This is a small but very fun/interesting attraction.

[Daniel Woznick, 05/26/2007]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Columbus Zoo: Sniff a BearColumbus Zoo: Sniff a Bear, Powell, OH - 4 mi.
Gas Station Birthplace of Rutherford B. HayesGas Station Birthplace of Rutherford B. Hayes, Delaware, OH - 7 mi.
Rutherford B. Hayes StatueRutherford B. Hayes Statue, Delaware, OH - 7 mi.
In the region:
Big Boy with Tattoos, Columbus, OH - 17 mi.

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