desoto caverns family fun park

This is a great place for the family to spend a afternoon. Not only is there a great cave to explore and learn the history of. There is a fun park with many attractions for the kids to fill the day. Very Clean and Owners are great people.

We were in no major hurry......so we decided a cave would be fun for part of our day and we selected Desoto Caverns. We did not do the rest of the amusement park.....just the cave. Our guide did an excellent job..unfortunately some jerk was trying to show off to his friend....and while the movie was going on about the cave...he sneaks off...seems he used to break into the cave years ago... So now all you really see of the cave is the big room in the middle and a few small areas just off to the side....no real lenghty trrails to other arreas and the trail to the drop has been eliminated due to ....most likely insurance ....... It is not the best cave in the area....up to you...they do have a nice film and history leson...

I had never been in a cave before I had visited DeSoto Caverns, leaving my mind open with no expectations. The first time my American host mum and I went we enjoyed it, and I purchased a couple of trinkets in the gift store that caught my eye. The tickets for the cavern tour were a little expensive. Me being 16, I was too old for the activities that were offered to the younger generation. The cavern tour guide had rushed the tour, and had little knowledge about the history or facts of the cave. We had asked questions for more information and she didn't know the answer to any of them. The cavern itself was gorgeous, and the lighting was perfect. It presents good examples of a caves features for a first timer. The tour includes a sound and light show, that can be disappointing and a so called 'educational' video at the beginning of the tour. The groups that enter the cave at a time were small and intimate. When exiting the cave, we decided to purchase a yearly pass for an extra $5, which gets you in for free to the cave any day for a year. We were bored on weekend and made the decision to go back for another visit, and this second time was 90% better than the first time. We had a more fun, educational and informed tour guide and we enjoyed it a lot more this time round. By the looks of the other things to do around the park, it perceives to be a fun and family friendly area. The park is full of tour guides, gorgeous scenes and the gift shop (a little expensive) is full of interesting gifts and trinkets. I do recommend this family-friendly attraction for a quick trip, on a sunny day.

I took my grandson to the Caverns. I told my friends that I went & was disappointed, they said that I should have gone when they do the Indian Festival! The location is off the beaten path. It was very expensive for what they offered. The water activities were understandable unavailable, but the price was still the same!!! The workers were nice & the young woman (Madison, I think) did a great job guiding the cavern tour.

Gotta admit....I was a little concerned when we first pulled in. It's got a lot of little games and such that seemed a little "cheesy". Didn't do any of that, but mainly came for the cavern tour which was REALLY cool! Our tour guide, Bonnie, was great. She took her time and knew her stuff. Let you take your time getting photos. Although it was a little pricey just for the cavern tour, I felt it was worth it.

I haven't been since I was a child, so I was really excited to take my little girl. BIG mistake! The price is WAY to high. The entrance room and a trail to a waterfall maybe a couple hundred feet back are all they let you see. The tour starts with a short film that was interrupted no less than 4 times with what the "tour guide" called "late entry ticket sales". Very unprofessional. The film was a joke and didn't go too much into the History of Desoto, the Native Americans or the Geology of the cave. I was hoping that the "tour guide" would pick up where the film lacked, but I was disappointed. There was a rushed walk around the cave with very little time to take the cave in or for picture taking. The other parts of the cave have been roped and cemented off for what the "tour guide" claimed are "safety reasons". The cavern could really be beautiful if it had better lighting. Not educational AT ALL and we were rushed though. The "facts and anecdotes" our "tour guide" was spewing throughout the tour were just sad filler. Our "tour guide" was a very uninformed, smart mouthed teenager. Then to top it all off they want you to get a picture taken halfway through that they try and sell you when the "tour" is over. They'd be better off firing all the "tour guides" and putting up signs around the cave and letting people walk at their own pace. They could at least lower the ticket prices that way. There also needs to be WAY more geology and WAY less Bible Study. The "laser show" and it's narration were just sad and dated. The "attractions" were also just sad. Run down, over priced carnival crap. At $6 an "attraction" I was expecting at lot more. My daughter and I only went through the maze because I had coupons for free "attractions". We won't be back, There are many other caves and caverns within driving distance of Birmingham.

I haven't been since I was little and completely understand why we never went back. If you've been to other, bigger caverns before you'll be very disappointed. It consists of the entrance room that is supposed to be the size of a football field and a trail maybe a couple hundred feet back. Nothing real spectacular. Our tour guide was a very uninformed teenager. We didn't bother to ask any questions after she didn't know the answers to the ones she was asked. There are small attractions that little kids might find fun but nothing for anyone older. Overall it seemed fairly well kept up but a few things could do with some updating. And the price was way to high for what you get. Go a little further north and check out the cathedral caverns state park for a cheaper, better and longer tour.

A beautiful & interesting place. Well worth the admission, the drive there and it filled my weekend nicely! Great place to take children as there are so many cool attractions and activities for them. The caverns offer not only the amazing rock formations but a lot of history as well. The tour was well presented, the laser show was nicely done, and the caverns itself worth the visit.

We drove up to Desoto Caverns specifically to see the cave. The tour guide was friendly and informed but there was a problem with the laser light show. We were told they could not give a partial refund but we could stay around another 45 minutes and go in and see the show at the next viewing. We decided to stay rather than lose 1/4 of the cost of the admission. We walked around the Family Fun Park, but didn't participate in any of it as is was geared to children and each part had additional costs ($$$$). When it was time to go in to see the laser show, it was still not working. No partial refunds. The quoted price also neglects to tell you it does not include the tax. If you have been to any other caves, don't bother with this one. It is basically one room. Totally disappointed.

The cave tour is the main attraction here (we were the first tour of the day and it ended up being a private tour w just our family). But, our family very much enjoyed all of the unique extra attractions. The lost trail maze was huge, and one of the best we've ever been to. Also, there's a cave crawl attraction - not in a cave, but a series of wooden tunnels built to simulate a real cave. My kids loved this. Each attraction cost one ticket per person. Our family of 6 had 40 tickets, and that was plenty.

We took our 9 year old and she had fun. I think it is for younger kids. The cave was fun and interesting. My daughter really liked the butterfly garden.

I had a great day with my kids. There were plenty of activities to keep them busy (they are almost 2 &7). The ground were clean and well maintained. Eat before you go. There is a pizza and hot dog warmer, and nachos which is first come first serve, (self service). It would be nice to see the food moved behind the counter for health's sake. I did spend the money on a family membership because it was literlay only a few dollars more, but don't think that I would take the cave tour / walkthrough again. Its really not worth the $21. The "caverns" however was not as good as I remember. As it is now, it's really just a cave. It takes about an hour to watch a video and light show. I didn't mind the religion part too much though not really necessary. You get to see where and how saltpeter was made for gunpowder for the civil war. They actually say "where gunpowder was made." leaving out a few details, a well where water is still found, and a still. There is even a waterfall which they tell you is now recirculated and only flows naturally after heavy rains. Thats it. If you could have a look around on your own you could be done in about 30 min. maybe less. There are some nice formations to look at but it really is short. I remember the caves taking a good 45 min to an hour to hike. You can see were the tour used to extend much further but is now blocked off. I under stand that they are trying to cater to all ages and and keep it safe for everyone, however.... I think God would like everyone to be able to see his creation, "how the owners would put it." in its fullness. I would not mind paying $21 or more for a real tour of the caverns. As they state "Our Cave has been nationally recognized for it's beauty and the concentration of formations." I think this recognition was based on tours and observations made some years ago, and would be different today. To the owners.... PLEASE reopen the rest of the caverns to the public!!! If there is a true danger to the public e.g cave in, then by all means don't but you could increase profits by offering an advanced tour for healthy individuals and even make them sign a waver. Please don't let the beauty of the caves be lost forever because some people complain that some spots are a bit steep for a person with a waker. I have talked to a few people that have said they will not be back until the tour is expanded. I truly think you are missing out on repeat customers.

Very clean. Well landscaped. Campground great. Cave tour awesome. Very well done. Excellent weekend getaway

Small family oriented amusement park, with activities geared to young children. Park facilities were clean, well maintained and very pretty. Visited last week with nephews, ages 3, 6 and 10. All had a great time! We especially enjoyed the cave tour - entertaining and educational for kids with a patriotic laser light show at the end. Staff was very friendly, safety conscious and helpful.It is expensive, but, just about perfect for a fun day with little kids...

I want to thank for the time you took in writing a constructive review on TripAdvisor. Thank you as well for the good score you gave us. I'm glad your family had a good time here at our Park and regret the rainy weather you experience. I apoligize for the comment our staff made to you in their response you your request for a raincheck. While it's true we don't offer rain checks, at this time, their response should have been more professional and offered with an attitude of gratitude for you visiting our Park.We don't offer rain checks because any unused tickets are good for one year from date the of purchase. However, I would like to offer your family a free day in the park to amend for the response you were given from our staff concerning rain checks. We strive very hard at taking great care of our visitors. In this case we failed your family. Thank you again for visiting Desoto Caverns Family Fun Park