Luray Warnings and Dangers

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In the beginning of our tour through the fantastic Luray Caverns our guide asked us to follow her and not to leave a group. She warned us that lights along the trail switch off autimatically when the group passes through. Well, I as a crazy photographer luckily equipped with a new tripod and one similar to me guy from California stayed almost always behind the whole group. Once when the light really switched off we had to run quickly following the light ahead.

In the largest hall called the Cathedral after warning our guide switched main lights off to show us that the caverns are completely dark (look at my picture). I forgot to ask her why there were no bats and what creatures lived in that darkness.

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The trail through the underground wonderland of the Luray Caverns is relatively long. The whole tour takes about an hour with numerous stops but for some, especially less trained or older people as well as smaller kids it may be tiring. The trail goes moderately up or down at some places and ends with stairs up.

There is a lift for visitors using wheelchairs which I found very American. I mean that common care for handicapped even in caverns where building a lift had to cost quite a lot.

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There is specific natural climate in the Luray Caverns. Despite lack of air-condition temperature in the caverns is around 50 F (10 C) all year round regardless the exterior temperature which may vary from below freezing point (32 F) to over 90 F (32 C). There is also very high humidity underground which may tire some - mainly older - folks. But in contrast to some other caverns I have already visited there is no water dripping over your head from the ceiling. You may leave your baseball cap (worn usually by US visitors) in a car.

So, don't forget to wear a jacket or sweater bofere entering the caverns even during hot summer days. Well, it was not necessary for me running after the group with my camera and tripod not to loose them.