Lincoln Caverns Prepares for 96th Season and Celebrates Generations of History
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Asia Tabb
AIRED; February 10, 2026
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Lincoln Caverns is heading into its 96th season, a milestone that reflects nearly a century of natural wonder and family stewardship. “I’ve worked here over half those years, and all this happened in ways I never imagined when I started as a college student,” said Ann Dunlavy, president and general manager. “We do a lot of things that we enjoy doing. It’s not for everybody, but what we do to share the message of cave conservation is truly important.”
The caverns are not just a tourist attraction; they are a family legacy spanning four generations. Dunlavy described the unique history of her family’s connection to the caverns, explaining that her grandfather first leased the cave in 1932 after originally being drawn to caves while working in circuses and theaters. “He put little want ads in newspapers all over the Northeast, wanted to buy caverns. And so, he found this cave in the middle of Pennsylvania,” she said.
The caverns were discovered accidentally during construction of Route 22 in 1930. The limestone formation revealed an entrance-less cave, previously unknown despite centuries of farming above it. “The farmers that owned the land decided because it was right along this new highway, it would make a good tourist attraction,” Dunlavy said. After 13 months of hand labor to make it accessible, the caverns opened to the public in 1931, eventually being named Lincoln Caverns.
The family continued to shape the site, with Dunlavy’s father discovering Whisper Rocks, a second cave system connected to Lincoln Caverns. “Because of a new discovery 20 years ago, Whisper Rocks is now mapped longer than Lincoln Caverns. On the tour, you see about a third of the cave system that is easily accessible,” she said.
Preserving the caverns remains central to operations. “One of our goals is to present the cave as naturally as possible,” Dunlavy said. “Caves are so tied to our groundwater, which 50 percent of Pennsylvanians depend on for drinking water, so it’s very important to protect what we have.”
Lincoln Caverns also offers educational events like BatFest, celebrating 20 years this February. The festival highlights the ecological importance of bats, with experts providing hands-on learning and activities for visitors. “We do a craft, build bat houses, and of course, the cave tour,” Dunlavy said.
As Lincoln Caverns enters its 96th season, the family legacy and commitment to conservation continue to draw visitors from across the region. “It’s quite a different focus than most tourist-type caves,” Dunlavy said. “We want people to leave realizing what’s underneath their feet and why it’s important to protect it.”
