Tyendinaga Cavern & Caves: Largest Known Cavern in Ontario is 2 Hours From Toronto

Explore a hidden, underground world at Tyendinaga Cavern & Caves—the largest known cavern in Ontario.

Credit: Tyendinaga Cavern & Caves

The guided tours at Tyendinaga have been a family-owned, small business for almost 15 years. The owners, Charlie and Liz Koch, have worked extremely hard to make this incredible place sustainable and eco-friendly.

The tour offers insights into ancient fossils, cave formation, preservation methods, new cave finds, glaciation’s impact, local history, folklore, wildlife like bats, geological marvels, and more.

Credit: Tyendinaga Cavern & Caves

A brief topside tour transitions into the main cavern, revealing fossils dating back 450 million years. The inside of the cavern is well-lit and easy to navigate. The staircases are made of stone and were built by hand to be more eco-friendly.

The caverns are naturally cool at around 10°C or 58°F. Once you’re inside the beautiful cavern, you can see fossils, the limestone walls and their unique formations. The cavern is also home to bats that live in the holes within the cave. There is also a wishing well inside, where you can toss a coin and make a wish.

Credit:Tyendinaga Cavern & Caves

Each tour is given to small groups of a maximum of 15 people and takes around 45 minutes to complete. This includes a 15-minute introduction above ground and a 25-minute underground exploration.

The tours are fun, informative and quick. You can learn all about the Bay of Quinte, where the site is located and the history of this site. They will also teach you how these incredible caves were formed by nature and how they are preserved to this day.

There is a 1km walking trail and a gorgeous cedar frame pavilion at this site, where you can relax and if you’re lucky, you might see some deer or other animals.

You can buy your own fossils or crystals from their gift shop. They also sell necklaces, t-shirts and much more.

What to do in and around Belleville:

Belleville offers a plethora of urban and rural trails, providing nature enthusiasts with diverse outdoor experiences. The Zwick’s Trail is a 3.25 km loop with scenic Bay of Quinte views, parkland, and recreational areas.

The Kiwanis Bayshore Trail spans 2.75 km along the north shore, offering a marina, playgrounds, and historical sites. The Riverside Park Trail, 5.25 km long, traces the Moira River with resting spots, recreational facilities, and a vibrant park atmosphere.

The Parrott Riverfront Trail, 1.6 km, meanders along the Moira River’s edge, connecting to downtown Belleville (don’t forget to stop for local eats). Quinte Conservation’s 23 areas, including Massassauga Point Conservation Area, Potter’s Creek, H.R. Frink Centre, and Vanderwater, beckon with diverse habitats, trails, and outdoor activities.

Belleville’s downtown area boasts an array of captivating historic properties. Among them, 10 Patterson Street, constructed in 1876, stands out with its intricate detailing, like sculptural quoins and ornate porches.

Other notable properties include the 1850 Liddle Tailor Shop, Memorial Arena, Cablevue Facade, City Hall, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Greenleys, Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Bohemian Penguin, and McIntosh-Ridley House. Moving to the Church Street corner, five historical churches enrich the cityscape. St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, the oldest Roman Catholic Parish in Belleville, played a role in bringing St. Andrew School of Evangelization to Canada. Victoria Avenue Baptist Church, established in 1873, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, rebuilt twice, and Bridge Street United Church, over 200 years old, retain elements from their original structure. St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, reconstructed after fires, presents a striking Gothic Revival-style building alongside a modern Parish Hall.

If you are interested in fishing, then you have plenty of opportunities on the Bay of Quinte which is well known as a world-class walleye fishing.