Indian Echo Caverns was the second part of our long weekend trip to Strasburg and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In part 1, we spent 2 Days in Strasburg.
Echo Dell – Indian Echo Caverns is conveniently located between Strasburg and Gettysburg. It is also close to Hershey, Pennsylvania. For us, it was the perfect car break.
Indian Echo Caverns is open most days, except for major holidays. Their hours vary seasonally, so make sure to check out their website. Tours are $18.50 for ages 12 and over, $17 for seniors, $12 for children ages 2-11, and children under 2 are free. Tours include a walk through the caverns. The Discovery Barnyard and playground are free. Gem Mill Junction is a seasonal attraction, so it wasn’t open during our visit.
Discovery Barnyard
We began our visit at the Discovery Barnyard. This is located right next to the parking area. It consists of a large fenced area with goats, turkeys, alpacas, and chickens. You can pet them at your discretion and even feed the goats.
Playground
We still had a little time before our cavern tour, so we let the kids play on the playground. They loved it! The playground had a small wooden train, swings, a slide, and a steel spider climbing structure. The 30-degree weather didn’t deter our kids from exploring everything.
The Caverns
Next it was time for our Caverns tour. A word of caution, there are approximately 71 steps down to the caverns. That means it is also 71 steps back up. There are also a few steps inside. After descending the steps you are given a little background on the caverns, just outside the entrance. This spot also gives you great views of the river below.
Once inside, you’ll be greeted with 52-degree temperatures year-round. It actually felt warm to us since it was so cold outside. Our guide did a great job at pointing out all the different features of the caverns and some graffiti. Yep, there is some very old graffiti! During our visit, it was very wet inside from all the rain. We were constantly getting dripped on and dodging puddles.
This wasn’t our first cavern tour so our kids knew what to expect. They still get thrilled when they turn off all the lights so you can see how dark it really is. You may want to prepare your kids for this part if they are scared of the dark. One child on our tour started crying.
Our youngest was super happy to be able to lead the tour group at one point. She got to hold the flashlight and everything. This made the entire stop worth it for her.
Gift Shop & Picnic Area
After the tour, it is back up the steps! Make sure to stop inside the Gift Shop to see the Mystery Box. I’m not going to tell you anymore about this. You have to visit to find out. The Gift Shop also has lots of little gifts, jewelry, and snacks. Restrooms are out by the parking area.
To finish out our visit we had a picnic in their picnic area. There are multiple picnic tables available. We were able to pull our van right up to a table. All of the tables are shaded. We heard train whistles and animals from the barnyard during our entire lunch. It was so peaceful!
So, if you need a stop while in the Strasburg, Gettysburg, or Hershey areas I highly recommend Echo Dell – Indian Echo Caverns. It combines a little history, exercise, and nature in one spot. Coming soon is the final part of this long weekend, Gettysburg.
- Gettysburg with Kids
- Valley Forge NHP with Kids
- 2 Days in Philadelphia with Kids
- Steamtown & Pa Anthracite Museum with Kids
- 2 Days in Strasburg with Kids
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are strictly my own. I was not compensated for this post.
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