![Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-Pennsylvania Lost River Caverns tours near Allentown Pennsylvania](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-Pennsylvania-696x696.jpg)
Lost River Caverns near Allentown is a beautiful limestone “show cave”, owned and operated as such by the same family since 1930!
![Welcome to Hellertown Home of Lost River Caverns sign.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-PA-sign.jpg)
The caverns get their name from the Lost River, a crystal-clear stream that passes through the cave as part of an entirely underground river system (the water is never exposed to the surface of the Earth).
![Bridge over the Lost River at Lost River Caverns in Northampton County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Northampton-County-Pennsylvania-Bridge-Over-Lost-River.jpg)
Touring Lost River Caverns
Tours of Lost River Caverns take approximately 45 minutes and cover about a quarter-mile of underground passageways.
![Passageway through Lost River Caverns in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-PA-Cave-Passageway.jpg)
Tours begin and end at the Visitor Center, which itself houses numerous historical and geological artifacts.
![Visitor Center at Lost River Caverns near Allentown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Northampton-County-PA-Visitor-Center.jpg)
You’ll also find a well-stocked gift shop on the lower level of the Visitor Center, complete with all the jewelry, gemstones, and assorted Lost River Caverns souvenirs you’d expect to find at a show cave.
![Gift shop in the Visitor Center at Lost River Caverns near Allentown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Northampton-County-PA-gift-shop.jpg)
Eight steps and several ramps make up the 1,200-foot path through the caverns, where a tour guide explains what you are looking at along the way.
![Taking the tour of Lost River Caverns near Allentown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Show-Cave-Hellertown-PA.jpg)
For me, the highlight of the tour is the beautiful Crystal Chapel, the site of more than 100 wedding ceremonies between 1949 and 2009.
![The Crystal Chapel at Lost River Caverns was the site of over 100 wedding ceremonies between 1949 and 2009.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Wedding-Chapel-Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-Pennsylvania.jpg)
During the late 1800’s a wooden dance floor was constructed in the Crystal Chapel, where festivities could take advantage of the natural air conditioning in the cave.
![Beautiful flowstone formations inside Lost River Caverns near Allentown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Touring-Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-Pennsylvania.jpg)
During the Prohibition era of the 1920s, bootleggers used the caverns to store their illegal alcohol.
![One wall of the Crystal Chapel in side Lost River Caverns in Hellertown, Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Cave-Formations-Hellertown-PA.jpg)
The crystalline rock formations within Lost River Cavern are still growing even today, although VERY slowly (less than 10 cm every 1,000 years!).
![Formation inside Lost River Caverns near Allentown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Cave-Formations-Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-Pennsylvania.jpg)
The tour concludes where it began, on the lower level of the Visitor Center, under the watchful eyes of Sweetums the dinosaur.
![Sweetums the dinosaur in the Lost River Caverns visitor center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Northampton-County-Pennsylvania-Visitor-Center-dinosaurs.jpg)
Other Attractions at Lost River Caverns
Outside the Visitor Center you’ll find a gem-panning area, similar to most other show caves in Pennsylvania.
![Lost River Caverns gem-panning area in Hellertown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Northampton-County-Pennsylvania-Gem-Mining.jpg)
There’s also a short Nature Trail to check out, through the woods above the caverns.
![The Nature Trail at Lost River Caverns near Allentown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Northampton-County-Pennsylvania-Nature-Trail.jpg)
And don’t miss the kitschy “cave family” photo-op next to the parking area.
![Lost River Caverns photo-op in Hellertown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-PA-Cave-People-Photo-Op.jpg)
Directions to Lost River Caverns
Lost River Caverns is located just east of Allentown, at 726 Durham Street, Hellertown, PA 18055.
![Entrance to Lost River Caverns in Hellertown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lost-River-Caverns-Hellertown-PA-Entrance-sign.jpg)
Tours run year-round (except on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day) – check the Lost River Caverns OFFICIAL WEBSITE for the most up-to-date hours and ticket prices.
![Map to Lost River Caverns near Allentown Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Map-to-Lost-River-Caverns-near-Allentown-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Related Attractions
Crystal Cave in Berks County was the first “show cave” to open in Pennsylvania, with official tours beginning shortly after it was discovered in 1871!
![Exploring Crystal Cave in Berks County Pennsylvania](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Crystal-Cave-Berks-County-PA-collage.jpg)
Indian Echo Caverns is a beautiful “show cave” located 3 miles west of Hershey in Dauphin County.
![Exploring Indian Echo Caverns near Hershey Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Indian-Echo-Caverns-Hershey-PA-collage.jpg)
Woodward Cave in Centre County contains 5 large rooms, hundreds of yards of tunnels and passageways, and the largest stalagmite in Pennsylvania!
![Exploring Woodward Cave in Centre County PA](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Exploring-Woodward-Cave-Centre-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Penn’s Cave in Centre County offers the only cavern tour in the United States that is conducted completely by boat!
![Entering Penn's Cave through the back entrance on Lake Nitanee.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Penns-Cave-back-entrance-from-lake-Centre-Hall-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Lincoln Caverns gives visitors the opportunity to explore an incredibly beautiful world far below the surface of Huntingdon County!
![Visiting Lincoln Caverns in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Lincoln-Caverns-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania-cavern-passageway.jpg)
Coral Caverns in Bedford County is home to a 420-million year old fossilized coral reef!
![Exploring Coral Caverns in Bedford County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Coral-Caverns-stalactites-Bedford-County-PA.jpg)
Laurel Caverns is billed as “Pennsylvania’s Largest Cave”, and is a great way to spend an hour or two beneath Fayette County.
![The overhead Grand Canyon of Laurel Caverns.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Grand-Canyon-of-Laurel-Caverns-Fayette-County-PA.jpg)
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