Secret Caverns is the other cave in Howes Cave, two miles from Howe Caverns, and it is the opposite of its neighbour in almost every way. Where Howe Caverns is polished — elevator, paved walkways, boat ride, gift shop — Secret Caverns is raw. You walk down. There are 103 stairs. The signs are hand-painted. And at the bottom there is a hundred-foot waterfall underground that Howe Caverns does not have.
Which one you should visit depends almost entirely on the ages of your kids and how they feel about stairs.
Fast facts
| Where | Howes Cave, Schoharie County — about an hour from Albany |
|---|---|
| Getting down | 103 stairs. No elevator. |
| Temperature | Around 50°F year-round |
The stairs are the whole decision
There is no elevator. You descend 103 stairs to reach the cave and climb the same 103 to get out.
That rules it out for strollers entirely, makes it hard with a child you might end up carrying, and makes it a genuine workout for anyone with knees that complain. It also means the cave is quieter and stranger than its neighbour, because a lot of people take one look and drive the two miles to Howe Caverns instead.
The waterfall
The reason to come. A hundred-foot underground waterfall at the far end of the cave, which is not a thing you see often and not a thing Howe Caverns has. In spring, after snowmelt, it runs hard enough to be loud.
Is it worth it at 3, 5, 8, 12?
[Age ladder component]
Under 4 — no. The stairs alone rule it out, and you will be carrying them both directions.
5 to 7 — depends on the child. Confident walkers manage it fine and the waterfall lands. Nervous ones find the dark and the descent a lot.
8 to 11 — the sweet spot. Old enough for the stairs, young enough to find an underground waterfall genuinely astonishing.
12 and up — good, and this is the age that appreciates the roadside-Americana weirdness of the place as much as the cave.
The billboards
Worth mentioning because people ask. Secret Caverns has been advertising with hand-painted billboards along New York roads for decades — psychedelic, hand-lettered, and completely unlike modern signage. Several are landmarks in their own right. If you spot one on the drive, that’s part of the visit.
Practical
- Wear real shoes. Wet stone, 103 stairs.
- Bring a sweater — around 50°F regardless of the season.
- No strollers. Carriers are impractical too, given the stairs.
- Cash
- Bathrooms at the surface
Photos
Where to stay nearby
FAQ
How many stairs are there at Secret Caverns? 103, down and back up. No elevator.
Is Secret Caverns better than Howe Caverns? Different, not better. [LINK to comparison]
Can you bring a stroller? No.
Two caves, two miles apart. Which one?