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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 here.

Last updated

September 4, 2026. Know something newer? Tell us.

Region covered

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alberta, British Columbia. The code after each cave is its state and county or region.

This isn't exhaustive

Not every closed cave is here. Check with local cavers before a trip, and pass this list along intact.

Closed Closed caves

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

MT-LEW Blacktail ranch cave
AB Cadomin Cave
MT-MEA Castle Mountain Crystal Cave
MT-CAS Flint Cave
MT-BEA French Creek Cave
AB Nakumi Cave
AB Procrastination Pot
MT-MEA Ram's Horn Cave
MT-CRB Shield Trap Cave
AB Wapiabi Cave

Seasonal Seasonal voluntary closures

Voluntarily closed for wildlife or biological reasons during the window shown. Please go somewhere else during it.

MT-FLA Columbia Mountain Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-CRB Four-Eared Bat Cave
Closed November 1 through July 31. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-LAK Lick Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-CAS Lick Creek Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-CRB Little Ice Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-PAR Mill Creek Crystal Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-JUD Old Dry Wolf Station Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-LEW Ophir Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-MAD Shell Creek Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-FER Tate-Poetter Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-BRO Toeckes Cave
Closed November 1 through July 31. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-GRA Wagner's Cave
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.
MT-JUD Whitaker Sink
Closed November 1 through April 1. Voluntary closure for wildlife.

Permit Special access caves

Accessible, but only with the right permit, key or landowner permission. Plan ahead — most of these involve paperwork or a phone call.

MT-FLA Algal Cave
Gated. GNP caving permit required.
MT-PHI Azure Cave
Gated. Access with BLM permission only.
WY-BIG Big Horn Caverns
Gated. Key from NPS in Lovell, WY.
AB Castleguard Cave
Parks Canada caving permit required.
WY-BIG Great Expectations
NSS permit required.
WY-BIG Horsethief Cave
Gated. Key from NPS in Lovell, WY.
MT-JEF Lewis and Clark Caverns
Commercial cave managed by MSP. Non-commercial access by MSP permission only.
MT-CAR Mystery Cave
Gated. Access with BLM permission only.
WY-BIG Natural Trap Cave
Gated. BLM permission required.
MT-FER New Year Crystal Cave
Gated. BLM permission required.
MT-GLA Pi'tamakan Cave
GNP caving permit required.
MT-GLA Poia Lake Cave
GNP caving permit required.
AB Raspberry Rising
Parks Canada caving permit required.
MT-JUD South Fork Cave
Gated. USFS permission required.
MT-FLA Yakinikak Creek Cave #1
Gated. Key from USFS in Hungry Horse.
MT-GLA Zoo Cave
GNP caving permit required.

Special areas

Glacier National Park — a caving permit is required to visit any cave in the park. Permits are free from any Backcountry Office. GNP backcountry info →