Bonne Terre Mine: deep-mine tours and underground diving

Bonne Terre Mine is a former lead mine in the city of Bonne Terre that now operates as a tour attraction. Above the water line, guides lead walking tours through the historic underground workings; below it, the flooded lower levels have become a well-known site for scuba diving in clear, still water. It is one of the more unusual recreation offerings anywhere in Missouri and a direct, tangible link to the Old Lead Belt’s mining past. Because it is a privately run attraction, details like tour times, diving requirements and certifications, pricing, and reservations come from the operator, and those can change. Treat the mine as a working example of how a single industry shaped the towns of St. Francois County — and confirm current visit and dive logistics directly with the operator before planning a trip.