Northern Rockies Closed Cave List

Cave stewardship

Northern Rockies closed cave list

A working list of caves in the Northern Rockies that are closed, seasonally closed, or require permission to visit. Landowner relations and wildlife protection are how we keep caves open — please respect every entry on this list.

Last updated

February 11, 2019. We’re working on a refresh — if you have current info on a cave below, please let us know.

Region covered

Idaho (ID), Montana (MT), Wyoming (WY), Alberta (AB), British Columbia (BC). Three-letter codes after each cave reference the county or region.

This isn’t exhaustive

Not every closed cave is here. Always check with local cavers before a trip — and please pass this list along, but keep it intact.

Closed

Closed caves

These caves are considered closed and should be avoided at all times. Please go somewhere else.

MT-LEWBlacktail Ranch Cave
MT-MEACastle Mountain Crystal Cave
ABCadomin Cave
MT-CASFlint Cave
MT-BEAFrench Creek Cave
ABNakumi Cave
ABProcrastination Pot
MT-MEARam’s Horn Cave
MT-CRBShield Trap Cave
ABWapiabi Cave
Seasonal

Seasonal voluntary closures

Voluntarily closed November 1 through April 1 for wildlife or biological reasons. Caves marked with an asterisk are closed through July 31. Please go somewhere else during these windows.

MT-FLAColumbia Mountain Cave
MT-CRB · closed through Jul 31Four Eared Bat Cave *
MT-LAKLick Cave
MT-CASLick Creek Cave
MT-CRBLittle Ice Cave
MT-PARMill Creek Crystal Cave
MT-LEWOphir Cave
MT-JUDOld Dry Wolf Station Cave
MT-MADShell Creek Cave
MT-FERTate-Poetter Cave
MT-BRO · closed through Jul 31Toeckes Cave *
MT-GRAWagner’s Cave
MT-JUDWhitaker Sink
Permit / permission required

Special access caves

These caves are accessible, but only with the right permit, key, or landowner permission. Plan ahead — most of these involve paperwork or a phone call before you go.

MT-FLAAlgal CaveGated. GNP caving permit required.
MT-PHIAzure CaveGated. Access with BLM permission only.
WY-BIGBig Horn CavernsGated. Key from NPS in Lovell, WY.
ABCastleguard CaveParks Canada caving permit required.
WY-BIGGreat ExpectationsNSS permit required.
WY-BIGHorsethief CaveGated. Key from NPS in Lovell, WY.
MT-JEFLewis and Clark CavernsCommercial cave managed by MSP. Non-commercial access by MSP permission only.
MT-CARMystery CaveGated. Access with BLM permission only.
WY-BIGNatural Trap CaveGated. BLM permission required.
MT-FERNew Year Crystal CaveGated. BLM permission required.
MT-GLAPoia Lake CaveGNP caving permit required.
MT-GLAPi’tamakan CaveGNP caving permit required.
ABRaspberry RisingParks Canada caving permit required.
MT-JUDSouth Fork CaveGated. USFS permission required.
MT-FLAYakinikak Creek Cave #1Gated. Key from USFS in Hungry Horse.
MT-GLAZoo CaveGNP caving permit required.

Park-wide rules

Special areas

Glacier National Park

A caving permit is required to visit any cave in Glacier National Park. Permits are free and available from any Backcountry Office in the park.

GNP backcountry info →

Banff, Yoho & Jasper National Parks

A caving permit is required for any cave on Parks Canada land. For details on engaging Parks Canada, contact the Alberta Speleological Society.

caving.ab.ca →

Glossary

Abbreviations

BLM — Bureau of Land Management
GNP — Glacier National Park
MSP — Montana State Parks
PC — Parks Canada
NPS — National Park Service
NSS — National Speleological Society
USFS — U.S. Forest Service
USFWS — U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
WNS — White Nose Syndrome

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