Meramec Caverns in January

Question

On it’s website, it says open on weekends in January , but when you try book online, it says no availability.

Does anyone know if this is open in January ?

Answer

Good question. The status of Meramec Caverns in January can be confusing, especially if their website says “weekends only,” but online booking shows no availability. Here’s what I found — and what you should know or do to try to visit.

### ✅ What the official info says about January hours

Meramec Caverns’ published winter hours list for “January 1 – February 14” indicates they are open weekends only, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
The general description of the cave on their site sometimes states “open every day except Thanksgiving & Christmas,” which appears to be a broader description rather than a current-season schedule — likely outdated or for high season.

### ⚠️ Why online booking might show “no availability” (even if weekends are supposed to be open)

It could be sold out (especially if you look at a weekend date, or perhaps a holiday weekend) — they run tours every 20–30 minutes during open hours, but capacity is limited.
It’s also possible that the online booking system hasn’t been updated for the winter schedule — many smaller attractions sometimes leave “no availability” posted to avoid confusion when they scale back operations. This is especially possible in “shoulder-season” times like early January.
Another possibility: what you saw may have been under a “group booking” calendar (often used when many tickets are sold together), and those may indeed require advance reservation, reserving all available slots early.

### ✅ What this means for you if you try to visit in January

Yes — based on the published schedule, Meramec Caverns *should* be open on weekends in January (at least up to mid-February).
But don’t assume a ticket will be available online; treat “no availability” as a warning — it may be sold out or not updated. It’s a good idea to call by phone before heading out (phone number listed on Meramec’s site) to confirm that tours are running, and maybe reserve over the phone.
Go prepared: even on weekends in winter, film tours run on a first-come, first-served or limited-slot basis, and walking the 1¼-mile tour involves stairs or uneven surfaces — so plan suitable footwear and a light jacket (temperature in the cave stays constant at ~58 °F).

### 🎯 My take — is it “worth it” or too risky in January?

I think it *can* be worth visiting Meramec Caverns in January — if you plan carefully. The “weekends only” schedule means your window is limited, and the online booking uncertainty means there’s a real chance you might get turned away if you show up without confirmation. But if you call ahead, confirm a tour, and go on a Saturday or Sunday when it’s open, you’re likely to have a quiet, uncrowded cave-tour experience. For many people, exploring the cavern interior in winter (with the consistent 58 °F temperature) is part of the attraction. I’d recommend giving them a call ahead and treating the visit as “maybe,” but with a good shot if you pick the right weekend.

Meramec Caverns in January

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