Lockport Caves

The Lockport Caves & Underground Boat Ride in Lockport, New York, along the Erie Canal, is just a thirty minute drive from Niagara Falls. The Lockport Caves offer the public an exciting 70-minute guided tour boat ride through America’s past in historic Western New York.

You will explore the historic Erie Canal Locks 67-71, constructed in 1838, with an Erie Canal boat ride and Erie Canal tour to remember. You will also view ruins from an earlier industrial age, walk safely through a water tunnel that was blasted out of solid rock in the 1850s, viewing stalactites, flow stone, various geological formations and artifacts left behind in the underground caves by the men who built the tunnel in the early days of the Erie Canal.

Also in the Lockport Caves one can ride an underground Erie Canal boat ride that is Unique and Mysterious: The next part of your journey is a one-of-a-kind underground boat ride. Embark on America’s longest underground boat ride through a trip of wonders.

Marvel at artifacts left by miners on the Erie Canal over a century ago. The Lockport Caves also feature cave formations in their early stages of development. Visitors are awestruck as they take a ride that has been described as both “peaceful and eerie” as the boat glides through the lifeless water, illuminated only by small, sporadically placed electric ligh

Lockport Caves History

Viewing Authentic History: Your Erie Canal tour guide will take you on one of the most unique tours in all America. Walk through a 1600 foot water power tunnel blasted out of solid rock. The Hydraulic Tunnel provided water power to three industries.

The tunnel was the invention of Birdsill Holly, a mechanical genius, whose inventions were manufactured using the water power provided by this tunnel. Holly’s inventions include the life-saving fire hydrant, central steam heat and the rotary pump. During his lifetime, Holly held over 150 patents.

Explore the Historic Engineering Marvels on the Erie Canal from the 1800′s!: You will also experience an Erie Canal tour at Lockport Locks 34 & 35, which allowed boats to travel “uphill” 60 feet through the Niagara Escarpment ridge of rock. View the “Flight of Five” locks built in the 1840s. Examine circa 1800 industrial ruins, which allow a glimpse into America’s industrial age.

All in all the Lockport Caves are a beautiful and unique trip into the rich history of Lockport and the Niagara Falls region.