About Us

Folks, my name is Jerry Downs, and I am the third generation owner of the Crystal Grottoes. When I was 10 years old my grandfather Ralph Downs showed me how to run this business. When the caverns were discovered it was so spectacular it was said that if it were opened it would make money for 100 years. Well, get this. The caverns were discovered in 1920 and opened to the public in 1922. I am working on this website in 2010. For 88 years, ladies and gentlemen, the Crystal Grottoes, Maryland's natural caverns have been wowing customers and has been an ongoing concern ever since.

This natural phenomenon has more formations per square foot than any cave known to man. It is also the most naturally kept cave in the world. You are going to see this piece as it was developed back in the 1920's. Our tour guides will answer your educational, technical, historical and geological questions.

After the tour, we try hard to have an additional question and answer period to answer any questions that our guides did not know the answer to, or additional questions thought of after the fact. Every good question makes us a little sharper. No one on earth knows it all, but it sure is fun to talk caves all day!

And don't forget - its 54 degrees in the caves all year round, so it's cool in the summer, and warm in the winter!

See you underground at Crystal Grottoes!
-Jerry Downs