Now is your chance to explore the cold 57-degree temperate and wet limestone walls of the Illinois Caverns. They are reopening in Waterloo after being closed for a decade. The reason for the caverns closing to the public was to protect cave-dwelling bats from a fatal disease.

“Illinois Caverns wasn’t opened for 10 years and the white-nosed syndrome was the reason,” said Colleen Callahan, director of the Illinois Department Natural Resources. “So, we’ve been cautious and we’re continuing to do so, wiping off and rinsing off our boots.”

Read more below!