Cave diving in Missouri
Roubidoux Spring in Waynesville: a cold, deep Ozark cave with strong flow at the entrance, free for cave divers who check in at the 911 centre. Plus the flooded Bonne Terre Mine, closed since February 2025.
2 sites · down to 82 m
Map
All 2 sites
1 of 2 sites ·
| Site | Max depth | Type | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☆ Roubidoux Spring | 82 m | Sidemount | Full cave |
Certification requirements, configurations and trimix depths are estimates for planning. Always check them locally and dive within your training.
Practical info: rules, fills and emergency numbers
Emergencies
- Call 911. DAN emergency line +1 919 684 9111 (24 h) arranges the nearest available chamber.
Access and rules
- Roubidoux Spring: free, open all year to certified cave divers. Check in before and after diving at the 911 emergency centre on the hill next to the fire station (Route 66, east of downtown) and show your cave card; contact the Waynesville police beforehand (+1 573 336 6355). A Scuba Diving article says diving is only allowed August to March and in daylight — ask.
Closed or restricted
- National park: in the springs of Ozark National Scenic Riverways (e.g. Big, Alley, Round and Blue Spring) diving without a written permit from the superintendent is banned; permits are only given for research.
Gas and fills
- Fills: Odyssey Scuba & Travel in Waynesville (227 Historic Rt 66 E) — ask about gases. Bring your own gas for trimix.
Water and season
- Water: Roubidoux is ~9–13 °C (drysuit, hood, dry gloves). Visibility is 2–9 m, usually ~5 m, and drops after rain, when the flow also increases. Check the USGS gauge for Roubidoux Spring (06928440) before you go.
Rest day
- Rest day: the Route 66 strip through Waynesville, and walking and fishing along Roubidoux Creek.
News
No recent news found about the caves in this region.
Searched automatically, last on 5 Oct 2026.
Plan a cave diving trip to Missouri
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Compiled from web research (City of Waynesville and Visit Missouri, Ozark Cave Diving Alliance, Scuba Diving, USGS, KFMO, Bonne Terre Mine, DAN Alert Diver, Wikipedia; Oct 2026). Roubidoux pin from the USGS records, Bonne Terre from Wikipedia; ~ = estimate. Rules and openings change — check locally.