X Cave


Useful Information

Location: Carter Caves State Park.
Exit 161 off I-64. 3.2 km east on U.S. 60 to State Hwy. 182. Park entrance 13 km N of Olive Hill. Cave tours depart from the Welcome Center.
(38.377684, -83.121899)
Open: Welcome Center: Memorial Day to Labor Day daily 9-18.
Labor Day to Memorial Day daily 9-17.
Cave Tours: Memorial Day to Labor Day Wed-Fri 10:30, Sat, Sun 13, 16:30.
[2022]
Fee: Adults USD 8, Children (3-12) USD 5, Children (0-2) free.
[2022]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: T=7-21 °C.
Guided tours: L=400 m, D=45 min, St=75.
Photography:  
Accessibility:  
Bibliography:  
Address: Carter Caves State Resort Park, 344 Caveland Drive, Route 5, Box 1120, Olive Hill, KY 41164-9032, Tel: +1-606-286-4411, Fax: +1-800-325-0059. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1780 area discovered by white settlers.

Description

X Cave was named after the floor plan of the passages, which resembles an X. There are two almost parallel passages which cross in the middle, and the cave has four entrances, at all four ends of the X. Some parts of the cave are rather narrow or low, so the tour requires some stooping.

Highlight of this cave are numerous calcite formations. The largest stalactites in the cave are called the Great Chandelier. Extraordinary is the cave coral.

Rather eccentric is the temperature of this cave, it has values between 7 °C and 21 °C. A cave normally has the same temperature all over the cave and all over the year. This cave seems to be very close to the surface and/or with very high ventilation, so it is heavily influenced by the weather outside.