Olentangy Indian Caverns

The Olentangy Indian Caverns are a limestone cave system with three underground levels featuring passages, chambers, and natural rock formations. Water shaped these structures over thousands of years, carving out the interconnected spaces visitors explore today.

The Delaware tribe used these caves as shelter and storage between 1400 and 1750, leaving behind artifacts and markings. This period of occupation established the caves as an important place in the region's past.

The Richard F. Leitch Museum displays artifacts from Native Americans who once lived in these caves, offering insight into their daily lives. The collection helps visitors understand how indigenous peoples used this shelter for protection and storage over centuries.

Visitors enter the caves by descending 60 steps into the underground chambers, where temperatures stay around 54 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket, as the passages are cool and sometimes narrow.

The site also features a petting zoo with endangered San Clemente Island goats participating in a breeding conservation program. This surprising blend of geological wonder and wildlife protection creates an unexpected mix of attractions.