Caves near Branson

Billed as Missouri's deepest cave. The tour goes about 300 feet down into the Cathedral Room, the largest cave entrance room in the U.S., and on toward 500 feet; a cable train carries you back up. About an hour, mostly on stairs, and included with Silver Dollar City tickets on park operating days. The Lantern Light Tour, $17 plus tax for ages 8 and up, is the last tour of the day: 90 minutes and about 700 steps, the only way into the Mammoth Room; book it ahead.

Basically one huge room on concrete walkways, with the formation called The Angel and a walk through The Cathedral. 265 stairs and a few narrow spots. Above ground: gemstone panning, two SpeleoBox crawl mazes, nature trails, a play area and mini golf.

The one cave tour here you don't walk: you ride through the cave on the northwest edge of Springfield, about 1 hr 10 min from Branson Landing. Open daily from 8 am, last tour at 4 pm, except Thanksgiving and December 24 and 25.

No stairs, just gentle ramps, so strollers, wheelchairs and scooters are welcome. The huge entrance is a National Register historic district. For adventurers, a 2-hour Wild Tour wades knee-deep through 54°F water with helmets and headlamps.

In Berryville, Arkansas, between Branson and Eureka Springs: Arkansas's largest privately owned show cave, a steady 64°F, a 9-foot soda straw and two lakes whose bottoms haven't been found. Discovered in 1845, open since 1927.

Near Rogers, Arkansas, about 1¾ hours from Branson, with the only lakeside cave entrance in the state, on Beaver Lake. 1-hour tours from 10 am to 4 pm daily, no reservations, 58°F inside, plus gem panning.

Not a walking tour: a 2.5-mile golf-cart trail at Top of the Rock that drives through a cave with waterfalls and the Bat Bar.