Grand Caverns, formerly known as Weyer's Cave, is located in the central Shenandoah Valley in the town of Grottoes, Virginia, United States.  A limestone cavern, it claims the distinction of being America's oldest show cave, in operation since 1806.

In 1973, the National Park Service designated the cave a National Natural Landmark in recognition of its shield formations and other features, such as flowstone, stalactites, and stalagmites.

History

According to legend, the cavern system was discovered in 1804 by 17-year-old Bernard Weyer, manager of the local distillery, looking for a missing trap.  Originally, it was called Amend's cave, named after the land's owner, Matthias Amend. In two years, Amend opened it for the public, one of the first show caves of the United States. The locals, however, preferred to name it after the original discoverer.

During the Civil War and the Valley Campaign, the cave was visited by both Confederate and Union soldiers.  During their visits, over 230 soldiers signed their names on the cave's walls.  One noted signature is that of W.W. Miles, signed on September 26, 1864.  Once, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was apparently camped near Port Republic and allowed his soldiers to visit the caverns.

From 1974 until October 2009 Grand Caverns was owned by the Upper Valley Regional Park Authority (UVRPA); they also claimed ownership of Natural Chimneys. In October 2009 Grand Caverns and its surrounding parks were given to the Town of Grottoes; the UVRPA has since dissolved.
 
In 2004, the Grand Caverns management requested that the Virginia Region chapter of the National Speleological Society conduct a re-survey of the cave system which had not been done since the 1930s. With completion of the re-survey in the original, commercial portion of the cave (), the cavers pushed through a  passage, which led them to  of unexplored cave. The total surveyed passage now stands at  making Grand Caverns the 215th longest surveyed cave in the United States as of May 2008.  The newly discovered portion of cave (closed to the public) is highly decorated with many forms of speleothems, including the celebrated shields.  The passages to the north are fairly dry with abundant brilliant white formations, earning them the name "New Mexico". The southern portion of the new cave includes a series of large rooms with massive breakdown, the largest of which ("Kentucky") is over  long by  wide. The highest and lowest points in the cave are found in the new passage.

Grand Caverns is currently open seven days a week. Monday through Friday, tours typically run every hour from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday tours run every 45 minutes starting at 9:30 a.m. and continuing until 5 p.m.

Geology
The cave is developed in Cambrian limestone/dolomite, and is known for its abundance of shield formations. It is also replete with stalactites, stalagmites, columns (where stalactites and stalagmites meet), draperies and other flowstone formations. The most stately room, "Cathedral Hall", is  long and over  high.  It is one of the largest rooms of any cavern in the eastern United States.  Other sights include "Bridal Veil", "Stonewall Jackson's Horse", the "Tapestry Room", and "Dante's Inferno".

Grounds and events
The caverns are surrounded by a tourist-driven area.  Other activities in the park include hiking and biking trails, five picnic shelters for general use, a swimming pool, and a mini-golf course. The caverns also host an annual bluegrass festival.

See also
List of National Natural Landmarks in Virginia

References

External links
 Grandcaverns.com: official Grand Caverns website

Caves of Virginia
Landforms of Augusta County, Virginia
Limestone caves
Show caves in the United States
National Natural Landmarks in Virginia
Parks in Augusta County, Virginia
Virginia municipal and county parks
Tourist attractions in Augusta County, Virginia