The Coral Caverns are located in Bedford County at 121 Cavern Street #31 in Manns Choice, Pennsylvania. The entrance to the cavern is surrounded by limestone boulders, and railroad ties frame the entrance. The Coral Caverns contain a wealth of natural cave formations.
One of the most remarkable features of the Coral Caverns is the coral reef, which is a towering fossil wall. Fossil remains of sea creatures can be seen in the fossil wall. Some of these fossil remains are thought to have been buried for more than 400 million years. The fossil wall contains coral that is shaped like seaworms, clams, and other creatures. The fossils and coral reefs date back to the Devonian Period.
Coral Caverns has been educating and amazing visitors for over 75 years. Coral Caverns has the only fossilized coral reef cavern known to be in existence. Regular hours of operation for Coral Caverns are from 10:00am to 5:00pm. In July and August, the cavern is open 7 days a week. Coral Caverns is open on weekends only in May, June, September, and October. Coral Cavern is closed from November through April. Discounted rates are available for groups. For additional information on group discounts, interested parties can call 814-623-6882.
The guided tour of Coral Caverns is approximately 30 minutes in length. Once inside the cavern, the pathway is lit by old black lanterns. Visitors are able to see cave ribbons, stalagmites, stalactites, and other formations. Visitors learn about the fragile cave coral that is also called cave popcorn. In a small back room of the cavern, there is a cave chimney.
The cave chimney has been growing for so long that the height of the chimney hole has reached 60 feet. Coral Caverns has no natural openings, and the cave chimney could eventually lead to the first natural opening in the cavern. With how slow the formations form, it is said that it could take another 2,000 years for the cavern chimney to form the opening. A thin cement staircase is located nearby that leads up to the cavern's original entrance.
Originally, miners discovered a small hole that was too small for an adult to fit through. The miners sought assistance, and three local boys volunteered to investigate. The boys were lowered down the small hole, and they explored the cave and reported back. In 1932, after roughly four years of preparations, the cavern was opened up for business and named Wonderland Coral Caverns. In later years, a safer entrance was dug and "Wonderland'' was dropped from the cavern's name.
Soda straws, which are thin hollow tubes, hang from the cavern's ceiling. A section of black volcanic rock evidences tectonic plate activity. Tight coils of helictites, which are gravity-defying growths, emerge horizontally from the cavern wall.
The cavern maintains a consistent temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so visitors may want to take a light wrap, sweater, or jacket with them when they go to tour the cavern to avoid becoming chilled. Science and discovery are two of the focal points of the cavern and the interpretive tours offered.
Pets are not permitted at Coral Caverns.
