About This Location
The longest known cave system in the world, with over 400 miles of explored passages, has been a tourist attraction since 1816. The cave's constant 54-degree temperature and unique atmosphere have made it the site of both wonder and tragedy.
The Ghost Story
In the 1840s, Dr. John Croghan built huts inside the cave to treat tuberculosis patients - all 15 got worse and two died within the first year. Their phantom coughs still echo through the passages. Stephen Bishop, an enslaved guide who mapped much of the cave, is seen leading phantom tours. Floyd Collins, who died trapped in nearby Crystal Cave in 1925, calls for help from beyond the grave. Melissa, a woman who allegedly abandoned a suitor in the cave without a lamp, searches for his spirit. Park rangers have documented over 150 paranormal events.