Located about one hour south of St. Louis lies the World's Largest Subterranean Lake under the city of Bonne Terre, Missouri.
Named “One of America’s Top 10 Greatest Adventures.” by National Geographic, Bonne Terre is one of the world’s largest man-made caverns and the world's largest subterranean lake.
A Hidden Gem in Missouri:
Originally founded in 1860, Bonne Terre Mine was a deep-earth lead mine and one the world's largest producers of lead ore until its closure in 1962.
Today, visitors are invited on walking / boat tours of the mine, or the truly daring may experience freshwater scuba diving in the mine.
Boat Tour of Bonne Terre Mine, Missouri:
On the one-hour tour of Bonne Terre Mine, visitors enter the mine (and exit) via a 65-step staircase. The tour takes visitors through the mine's five levels. Tours walk along the old mule trails where miners worked over 150 years ago. We learned that mules, famous for their stubbornness, were ideal for the work not only for their brawn but also because mules knew their limits. A horse is loyal to its owner and will continue working to please the owner. A mule will stop for food and rest which is healthier.
As visitors enter the lower three levels they discover the seventeen-mile-long Billion Gallon Lake, lit by 500,000 watts of stadium lighting above the water’s surface.
Guides take visitors to the boat dock where rides are given on the crystal clear spring-fed water, with views of the abandoned mineshafts and mining equipment below. Sites include the No. 1 Elevator, old ore carts, and abandoned catwalks.
Learn about the history of lead mining in Missouri on this unforgettable adventure.
FAQ for Visiting Bonne Terre Mine:
The guided one-hour tour of Bonne Terre Mine (185 Park Ave, Bonne Terre, Missouri) requires walking, including a 65-step staircase in and out. It is not accessible for wheelchairs.
Service animals and pets are not permitted.
The mine is 65 degrees, year-round, so dress accordingly.
No food or drink is allowed on the tour.
Home to the largest freshwater scuba diving venue in the world. (Reservations required.)
That seems like a nice experience! I wish there were more photos!
Wow! I never knew such boat tours existed! This looks so much fun and adventurous.
If i had not seen this post, I would have never known that this existed. Thank you for sharing.
What is this place?! haha I am from Missouri (St. Louis) and have not heard of it before. Guess I need to go back for a visit, it's less than an hour from where I grew up!
How fun! This just gave me a reason to add Missouri to my bucket list!