In the midst of a pandemic and the post election scrum, it’s no secret that heading into the solace and silence of the woods does a body and soul good.

 While folks are flocking in record numbers to area trails and state parks, they are also discovering the beauty below ground as well. 

  At Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill, Ky., there are still three caves that are open year round. While the park closes Bat Cave, Saltpeter Cave and Laurel Cave because of hibernating bat populations this time of year, two commercial caves and one wild cave are still open for exploration during the winter season which runs through March 1.

 For folks who have never been underground or who want a short walk to see some amazing formations, check out X Cave tour, a 45-minute guided tour during which you can learn more about the cave’s formations, cave ecology and some local history. The winter cave tour schedule is 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and then 1 and 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Cost is $5 for ages 3-12, and $8 for those 13 and up. It is free for ages 2 and under. The tour is about a 1/4 mile long and has 75 stair steps with some stooping and narrow passages.

  Cascade Cave, one of the largest of some known 200 caves in Carter County, Ky., is about a 75-minute tour (3/4 mile with 225 stairs and some stooping) and features some large passageways, as well as as 30-foot-high underground waterfall. The Cascade Cave tour is at 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The cost is $6 for ages 3 to 12, and $10 for those 13 and up. It is free for ages 2 and under. 

 Tickets for both of the commercial tours are sold at the Welcome Center. Cascade Cave is located 3.1 miles from the Welcome Center and visitors must drive to the entrance. For both tours, note that those caves are 50 to 60 degrees year round, so visitors Matt want to wear a light jacket and comfortable walking shoes. 

  For folks wanting a self-guided wild caving tour, Horn Hollow Cave (located off of the Horn Hollow Trail -accessed at the Welcome Center) is a fun way to channel your inner Huck Finn and head underground for a day of exploration. 

  Visitors can pick up a free permit at the Welcome Center (from 9 a.m. until 1 1/2 hours before the Welcome Center closes) to explore the cave, which has some good passages for crawls as well as some living formations including a sizable flowstone. Of note is that Horn Hollow Cave has a shallow creek Horn Hollow Creek running through the middle of the main passage so your feet will get wet. Visitors should have at least one other person in their group, wear closed-toe shoes and provide their own flashlights. Note that two flashlights (not including a cell phone) are recommended.

   While Covid restrictions have already caused the cancellation of Carter Caves’ always epic Winter Adventure Weekend in late January, a quiet hike over to Horn Hollow and down into the mystery below can help scratch that itch for true adventure and give a much needed respite away from the constant din of noise in the human echo chambers above ground.

 Around since 1946, Carter Caves State Resort Park has more than 30 miles of trails, a lodge, restaurant, cabins and much more. Go online at https://parks.ky.gov/groups/find_locations/eastern-region/carter-caves- for more information or call 606-286-4411. Carter Caves is located about 45 minutes west of Huntington.