If you’re looking for information about visiting Tytoona Cave in Blair County, you’re in the right place!
Tytoona Cave is a privately-owned cave open for self-guided tours, located between the cities of Tyrone and Altoona (thus the cave’s name).
The cave and the surrounding 6.8 acres of property is owned by the National Speleological Society (NSS), based in Huntsville, Alabama.
Visitors must secure a permit to explore the cave prior to visiting (more about that below.)
According to the NSS, “The first 1,000 feet of the cave are easily accessible by novices and is an excellent location to educate visitors about the cave’s geology and hydrology.”
Sinking Run flows through the cave, rising back to the surface over a mile away at Arch Spring (on private property, but readily visible from Kettle Road).
Historical records of the cave date back to 1788, and it was noted on county maps from the early 1800s.
Efforts to commercialize the cave in 1947 and 1972 were short-lived, and today there is little to no evidence of those early business ventures.
Securing a Permit to Visit Tytoona Cave
Those who wish to visit Tytoona Cave must VISIT THIS WEBSITE to create a profile and sign a waiver indemnifying the National Speleological Society against lawsuits if you injure yourself while visiting.
You can and should read all the rules about visiting Tytoona Cave on the website, but I’ve summarized some of the most important ones in the graphic below.
The process of getting the permit normally takes about 48 hours, but it is free and it’s certainly better than the alternative of having the cave closed to visitors.
Directions to Tytoona Cave
Tytoona Cave is easy to find, as it’s marked on Google Maps and shows up on most vehicle GPS navigation systems.
Parking is at a pull-off along the berm of Morrow Road, at GPS coordinates 40.602166, -78.217494.
The entrance to the Nature Preserve is well marked and visible from the road.
Just beyond the kiosk, a set of wooden stairs leads the cave entrance.
Exploring Tytoona Cave
Tytoona Cave is open to responsible caving all year, according to the NSS website.
On a typical summer afternoon you can expect to find young and old alike enjoying the scenery at the cave and nature preserve.
The cave entrance, located in a massive bed of Trenton limestone, measures about 40 feet across and 12 feet high.
The first 1,000 feet of Tytoona Cave is essentially a horizontal walking passage, but going any further requires diving equipment – do not attempt this without permission of the NSS!
Not wanting to disturb any bats that may hibernate in the cave, I venture no further than just inside the entrance when visiting in the winter.
But even that makes the trip to the cave worthwhile, as there are indeed some unique ice formations to be found.
Tytoona Cave is certainly one of the more interesting natural attractions in Blair County, and well worth a visit if you’re travels have you passing through central PA!
Related Attractions
The 10 Best Cave Tours in Pennsylvania is your guide to some of PA’s most exciting underground attractions.
Nearby Attractions
21 Must-See Attractions in Blair County is your guide to the best things to see and do near Tytoona Cave.
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