{"id":159160,"date":"2026-04-07T05:22:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/159160\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T05:22:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:22:08","slug":"laurel-caverns-becomes-first-subterranean-state-park-in-pennsylvania-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/159160\/","title":{"rendered":"Laurel Caverns becomes first subterranean state park in Pennsylvania"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n Laurel Caverns becomes first subterranean state park in Pa. <\/p>\n

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Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks Monday morning during a dedication ceremony making Laurel Highlands a new state park. Listening behind him are, from left to right, Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites, DNCR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, Park Superintendent Corie Eckman and former Laurel Caverns owner David Cale. [Mike Jones]<\/p>\n

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Former Laurel Caverns owner David Cale shines a flashlight down Calico Falls while giving a tour of the caves Monday. [Mike Jones]<\/p>\n

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Former Laurel Caverns owner David Cale gives a tour of the caves Monday. [Mike Jones]<\/p>\n

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Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks with Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ann Nemanic following a dedication ceremony for Laurel Caverns State Park. [Mike Jones]<\/p>\n

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Gov. Josh Shapiro weaved his way through meandering sandstone corridors hundreds of feet underground Monday morning before emerging from the darkness into colorful lights illuminating a cavernous room to dedicate Laurel Caverns as the newest state park in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was incredible,\u201d the governor said of the brief tour of the caverns he took with staff and others.<\/p>\n

Awaiting Shapiro for an underground ceremony and press conference were dozens of tourism officials and government dignitaries ready to proclaim Laurel Caverns in southern Fayette County as the 125th state park, but first ever to be subterranean.<\/p>\n

Shapiro called the new state park \u201cone of one\u201d because of its unique amenities \u2013 which have wowed visitors for decades \u2013 that are now under the umbrella of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is not another state park like this,\u201d Shapiro said.<\/p>\n

David and Lillian Cale have owned the property for four decades and started Laurel Caverns Conservancy to help run the site and offer tours to the public. The Cales donated the property to the state last year and the deed recently changed hands to give the DCNR control of the land and caverns, although the conservancy will still run the tours while the state makes improvements above ground to offer more attractions to the 426 acres on the surface. <\/p>\n

Shapiro called Cale the \u201cmayor of the caves\u201d and thanked him and his wife for \u201csharing this with the public\u201d with their donation of the property.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for being such great stewards of this land and such great stewards of these caves,\u201d Shapiro said.<\/p>\n

DNCR Cindy Adams Dunn chatted with David Cale before they and others descended 50 feet below the surface to the press conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a gift to the public,\u201d Dunn told Cale.<\/p>\n

Dunn said that while the state has been interested in the property for the past decade, discussions got serious about three years ago before being finalized during budget negotiations early last year that brought bipartisan support in the state Legislature. The immersive and unique experience that you can \u201ctouch it, feel it and see it\u201d will hopefully bring visitors from all across the state and farther, Dunn said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really does belong to all Pennsylvanians,\u201d Dunn said. \u201cWe want to steward this for the future. He\u2019s putting it in good hands. He studies us well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Park Superintendent Corie Eckman worked as a park manager trainee at Ohiopyle State Park, so she understands the relationship between Fayette County and its natural resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cWoo-hoo! We did it,\u201d Eckman said. \u201cLauren Caverns has long been regarded as one of Pennsylvania\u2019s unique treasures. This is an exciting moment for Laurel Caverns. \u2026 There\u2019s a lot to look forward to in this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Muriel Nuttall echoed that thought and said having the state park status will drive even more visitors to this ridge in the Laurel Highlands.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re adding something to our region that is truly one of a kind,\u201d Nuttall said.<\/p>\n

While Laurel Caverns is the newest state park, the cave entrance on Chestnut Ridge above Fairchance was discovered in the late 18th century. The property changed hands several times over the years, and David Cale\u2019s grandfather owned it for a time with the first tours beginning in 1964. David and Lillian Cale bought it from Donald Shoemaker in 1986 and have operated it ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis cave follows the slope of the mountain,\u201d Cale said about downward grade cut by springs channeling toward Fairchance.<\/p>\n

The caverns, which have four miles of pathways and are the deepest in Pennsylvania, are closed to the public from October until mid-April due to the sizable bat population that calls it home, which is the largest in the northeast. There are multiple guided tour options that range from walkable to deep depths, which cost different prices. The conservancy will continue to manage the caverns and tours, which Cale said will save the state money as the DCNR focuses on making improvements to the surface.<\/p>\n

As the press conference wrapped up, Shapiro quipped that this is likely the deepest underground he\u2019s ever fielded questions from reporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will probably be the coolest place to have a press conference. I wish you all luck getting out,\u201d Shapiro said with a laugh.<\/p>\n

The cave portion of Laurel Caverns State Park will open to the public April 22. More information on the state park can be found by going to www.pa.gov\/agencies\/dcnr or www.laurelcaverns.com.<\/p>\n


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