Indian Echo Caverns, the 100 Year Old Living Cave

Indian Echo Caverns, near Annville Inn, has the perfect answer for your inner Indiana Jones or Josh Gates! Looking to be amazed, to see historic sites that have astonished visitors for nearly 100 years? Your adventure awaits at Indian Echo Caverns.

Widely considered to be the natural “jewel” of our region (along with our valleys, rivers and vistas), Indian Echo Caverns goes back eons, to when “Mother Earth” was developing this part of the North American continent.

Although the caverns were mentioned in an article by the Philadelphia Philosophical Society as early as the 1700s, the extensive caverns were visited by, and no doubt offered a safe haven to, the Susquehannock people who lived in the region for centuries prior to the 1700’s. Perhaps the cave’s constant 52-degree temperature offered alure during hot outdoor weather.

The limestone cave network, considered “a living cave” because its formations continue to grow, is open for the public to visit daily via guided tour. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Hours vary by season, check their Website.

The Caverns are more than “treasure” to visitors, in fact… treasure has indeed been discovered there! Sometime around 1919, explorers discovered a box labeled “Diamonds in the Rough”. The chest contained coins from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Egypt, England, France, Greece, Guatemala and Italy. Also in the treasure were pieces of jewelry, a unique cameo, and a dozen moonstones.

Previously known as Wilson Cave, Hummelstown Cave, Stoverdale Cave, Giant’s Cave, and Indian Cave, this system of caverns was renamed “Indian Echo Cave” when it was outfitted with electrical lighting, walkways and safety railings, and opened to the public as a commercial attraction in 1929. The cavern’s centennial celebration will be in 2029!

The cave system and nearby lands was purchased in 1942 by Country & Western entertainer, Ed Swartz, who had grown up near the caves and visited them as a child.

During the early years of Swartz’s ownership, Indian Echo Caverns offered both country and western concerts, as well as guided tours of the caverns. Visiting performers included Grand Ole Opry star Roy Acuff and the Hoosier Hot Shots from the Chicago National Barn Dance. Those performances were discontinued in 1947 when cave visitation began outperforming the concert business.

Today, the ownership of the caverns remains in Mr. Swartz’s family, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year thrilled to be walking the paths of the Susquehannocks.

In 1971, Indian Echo Caverns was awarded the National Caves Association seal of approval and recommended to tourists as an attraction worth visiting.

• The Gold Rush may have ended over 100 years ago, but you can still experience the excitement of panning for mineral wealth https://indianechocaverns.com/outdoor-activities/gem-junction/ at Indian Echo Caverns.

• Well-appointed gift shop complete with Native American arts and crafts. https://indianechocaverns.com/giftshop/

• Beautiful woods and natural scenes “Echo Dell” to explore and take in a breath of fresh air.

(Side note, Josh Gates is coming to Hershey this year to entertain all you explorers and adventurers. Check the calendar located in the Annville Inn News for details. Subscribe at our Website, www.annvilleinn.com.)

• Rosalie’s breakfasts and hospitality

• Our quiet country elegance

• Amazing views…

• Full sized in-ground swimming pool

• Six-person hot tub

• 20-seat movie theatre with Dolby 7.1 Surround just like at the “movies”

• Plant conservatory glassed in on all sides with a wood burning fireplace for winter

• Three acres of botanical gardens with over 600 roses and 10,000 bulbs.

• Large game room with pool table

• Three dining areas for breakfast,

• Jacuzzis in Guest Rooms,

• Most rooms with private entrances and decks

• Fireplaces in all rooms

• King and queen beds throughout

• …and much more to enjoy at Annville Inn!