Lost River Cave is hosting “Lost Tales of the Underground,” an exclusive Halloween boat tour, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 inside the cave.
Guests will experience Lost River Cave after dark by beginning the tour with a 20-minute stroll through the “enchanting valley” outside of the cave, according to Lost River Cave’s website. Patrons then go on a 25-minute boat tour inside the cave. Lost River Cave said tour guides will tell stories of lost souls, hidden treasures and supernatural encounters that have shaped the cave’s “legendary status” as patrons glide through the water.
The tour is 45 minutes, and the adventure roundtrip is 0.75 of a mile.
“Lost Tales of the Underground” is not a jump-scare attraction, but instead is designed for those who prefer “eerie storytelling” and “a growing sense of unease” as they journey through the cave, according to Lost River Cave.
Caroline Galdi, an Education Coordinator at Lost River Cave and former WKU English professor said she has been heavily involved in creating the first “Lost Tales of the Underground” tour.
Galdi said people have been asking for years for Lost River Cave to do Halloween tours, and while this isn’t a haunted house event with jump-scares, the cave still has a dark ambiance, and there will be lanterns and effects to make some of the scarier stories come alive.
“All of our guides are super knowledgeable within that 45-minute boat tour,” Galdi said. “You’re not always going to get the chance to hear about some of the darker legends, so this was our way to kind of hone in on some of those and then give them their time to shine and get creative with how we present them.”
Galdi said people should attend this tour to learn about stories and local legends rooted in Bowling Green’s history that wouldn’t usually be told about in detail on normal boat tours. She said her favorite story is a legend called “Dead Man’s Cave,” told near the end of the tour.
“We’ve always wanted to do these Halloween tours, and all the ticket fees will go toward education, conservation and our mission as a non-profit,” Galdi said.
Lost River Cave recommends patrons to wear comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes and light jackets since the cave may get cooler in the evening. Floatation devices will be provided for guests, and no pets are allowed on the boat tour.
This experience is for ages 16 and older and is not handicap accessible. Tickets for the tour are $35 per person and can be purchased here.
Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are highly recommended for the “Lost Tales of the Underground” tour. Guests should check in at the front desk in Lost River Cave’s gift shop 30 minutes prior to the tour.
Lost River Cave is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis unless reservations are made in advance, according to Lost River Cave. Free parking is available on-site at 2818 Nashville Road in Bowling Green.
News Reporter Abigail Vickers can be contacted at [email protected]
