Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Missouri

Cave

A ghost town of unknown status in Lincoln County, Missouri.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Cave ghost town, Missouri
Plate I — Cave, MissouriPhoto: Don Kasak from St. Louis, MO, US (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

There's a particular quiet you only find where a town used to be. Cave has it. Onondaga Cave State Park is a Missouri state park located on the Meramec River approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of the village of Leasburg. The park was established in 1982.

Cave is the lone documented ghost town in Lincoln County — for now.

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The story of Cave

Missouri's ghost towns run from lead diggings to river ports the railroad left behind.

Onondaga Cave State Park is a Missouri state park located on the Meramec River approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of the village of Leasburg. The park was established in 1982. Park activities include cave tours, camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Cave is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

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Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Cave is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Cave is roughly 38.0597, -91.2281 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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Good to know

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.

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Survey Map

Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting

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Cave FAQs

01Where is Cave located?
Cave is in Lincoln County, Missouri, mapped near 38.0597, -91.2281.
02What county is Cave in?
Cave sits in Lincoln County, Missouri. See our full guide to ghost towns in Lincoln County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Cave?
Onondaga Cave State Park is a Missouri state park located on the Meramec River approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of the village of Leasburg. The park was established in 1982.
04What remains at Cave today?
The on-the-ground condition of Cave is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
05Can you visit Cave?
Here's the honest truth: access to Cave is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Cave is roughly 38.0597, -91.2281 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Onondaga Cave State Park”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Lincoln County

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