Livin' The Lake Lifestyle: Bridal Cave

Several weeks ago, I introduced a new blog series that I've decided to call "Livin' The Lake Lifestyle." As your real estate expert at the Lake of the Ozarks, I have made it my mission to help educate you on all of the wonderful things our community has to offer. In this series, I'm featuring some of the unique features and attractions our beautiful area has to offer. This week, I'm continuing this effort by featuring one of our area's most spectacular natural attractions: Bridal Cave.

*Photos taken from www.facebook.com/bridal.cave.3

Bridal Cave Lake of the Ozarks

Nestled along the shoreline of the Lake of the Ozarks, Bridal Cave offers some of the most scenic vistas in our area - both above and below the ground. Above ground, they offer a gift shop, souvenir shop, hiking trail, picnic areas, and a dock. Below ground, the cave features one phenomenal feature after another - soda straws, giant columns, draperies, and more. Rated as one of the most scenic caves in America, the cave hosts thousands of visitors every year.

About Bridal Cave

Bridal Cave was first discovered by pioneering settlers. It was officially protected in 1948 and opened to the public for tours shortly thereafter. Today, guided tours leave every few minutes and last approximately one hour. The cave holds a steady temperature of 60° F, so it is pleasant to visit all year-round.

The cave originally got its name from the local folklore of a Native American wedding ceremony held within the cave sometime during the early 1800s. The cave's romantic origins hold true today, as over 3,000 couples have exchanged vows in the stunning Bridal Chapel. Countless additional couples have renewed their vows at the free event offered by Bridal Cave every Valentine's Day.

Mystery Lake

One of the cave's most famous features is shrouded in mystery and (aptly) named Mystery Lake. The Lake is 20 feet deep, and the waters are stunningly clear. The Lake gets its name from the slowly decomposing wooden ladder that is laying on the bottom of the Lake. No one knows how the ladder got there; there is no known record of a expedition that made it back far into the cave prior to the date the ladder was found. Not only that, but no one has been able to find a natural entrance to the cave leading to Mystery Lake that is large enough to fit wooden beams as long as the ones found in the cave. Experts are still researching and exploring in an attempt to find out the origins of the wooden ladder, but they have been searching for years already without any success.

Ready To Make The Lake Lifestyle YOUR Lifestyle? Call Me!

Though it's arguably the most famous cave at the Lake of the Ozarks, Bridal Cave is only one of several caves in the area. If you're a cave enthusiast, you'll have to also check out Ozark Caverns, Jacob's Cave, and Fantasy World Caverns. The countless natural attractions in our area make it an ideal location for any and all "outdoorsy types." To learn more about Bridal Cave, visit www.BridalCave.com

Interested in making the lake lifestyle a part of YOUR lifestyle? I would love to help you make that dream come true! Give me a call at 573-280-0484 to schedule showings of some of the homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks. I would be honored to assist in any way possible!

Susan Spica
Professional REALTOR®

BerkShire Hathaway HomeServices
101 Crossings West, Ste. 202
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Office: (573) 365-6868
Susan's Cell: (573) 280-0484