Caving Links

National

• National Speleological Society – Chartered in 1941, the Huntsville, Alabama-based Society includes nearly 9,000 members in all 50 states. The Society publishes the monthly NSS News and the scientific Journal of Caves & Karst Studies. The Society also hosts an annual member’s convention at locations across the nation. Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming have all hosted at least one convention in the past. Local chapters of the Society are called grottoes.
• National Caves Association – Founded in 1965, the National Caves Association includes many commercial show caves in the Rocky Mountain Region. The organization provides management assistance and guidance for members, hosts an annual convention, and encourages protection of natural resources and public visitation to commercial caves.

Colorado

• Colorado Cave Survey – Colorado-based administrative organization of the National Speleological Society. The organization works with public and private land owners in the state, providing management assistance and guidance, along with coordinating access to caves. The Survey in 2024 coordinates access to federal caves such as Groaning Cave and La Sunder Cave near Glenwood Springs, and the privately-owned Fly and Marble Caves near Canon City. Membership in the organization includes chairpersons and elected representatives from each grotto in Colorado.
• Colorado Cave Rescue Network – Volunteer organization supporting cave rescue. The group provides occasional cave rescue training sessions, as well as promotes caver safety awareness.
• Colorado Grotto – Colorado’s first chapter of the National Speleological Society, chartered in 1951. The chapter meets monthly in Golden with a remote video option.
• Colorado Western Slope Grotto – Rifle/Glenwood Springs chapter of the National Speleological Society. Meetings in person alternate between Glenwood Springs and Rifle, with a remote video option.
• Front Range Grotto – Northglenn based chapter of the National Speleological Society. Meets monthly in Northglenn. Originally the Colorado School of Mines Grotto.
• Northern Colorado Grotto – Fort Collins/Loveland based chapter of the National Speleological Society. Monthly meeting alternate between the two cities, usually at member homes. Originally the Colorado State University Grotto.
• Rocky Mountain Caving – Colorado state caving journal about caves and karst in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. Published quarterly by most grottoes in Colorado since 1984. Print and digital subscriptions are available.
• Southern Colorado Mountain Grotto – Colorado Springs based chapter of the National Speleological Society. Hosts monthly meetings in Colorado Springs, and an annual Christmas holiday party at the Cave of the Winds.
• Timberline Grotto – Eagle/Glenwood Springs based chapter of the National Speleological Society. Chartered in 1985. Hosts annual meetings in Glenwood Springs and on the White River Plateau north of the city.
• Williams Canyon Project – Volunteer National Speleological Society project at the Cave of the Winds near Manitou Springs. Chartered in 1989, the project oversees caver access to the many caves of the canyon, along with exploration, science, and conservation. Trips are generally scheduled from October through May.

Montana

• Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto – Chartered in 2000, NRMG is Montana’s only grotto. Hosts an annual meeting, a cave camp, and pub nights in communities like Whitefish, Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings.

South Dakota

• Paha Sapa Grotto – Founded in 1966, the grotto began as a student organization with the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Hosts monthly meetings at locations in Hill City and other Black Hills communities.

Utah

• Salt Lake Grotto – Salt Lake City grotto is Utah’s original grotto. It hosts monthly meetings in Salt Lake City.
• Timpanogos Grotto – Chartered in 1974, the Timpanogos Grotto offers quarterly SRT rope training sessions. The grotto also hosts a large digital caving library. Meets monthly in Draper, with some meetings in West Valley City.
• Wasatch Grotto – West Jordan based grotto.

Wyoming

• Armpit Grotto – Laramie based grotto.
• Hole-in-the-Wall Grotto: Largest grotto in Wyoming, based in Casper.

Please let us know if you have additional links to add to this list of contacts!

Colorado

• Cave of the Winds – Privately-owned commercial cave in Williams Canyon, north of Manitou Springs. Open to public tours since July 1880, the Cave of the Winds provides three tour routes. Routes include the Discovery Tour with electric lights, paved walkways, stairs and railings; the Manitou Grand Caverns, a former commercial cave now shown by lantern; and the wild caving tour in the lower Cave of the Winds. The property includes more than 80 caves not open to the public, including the formerly-exhibited Huccacove Cave and Manitou Cave. The Williams Canyon Project of the NSS offers seasonal activities in many of the caves in the canyon.
• Glenwood Caverns – Privately-owned commercial cave north of Glenwood Springs. Formerly shown as Fairy Cave from 1896 to about 1917, the cave reopened in 1999. The cave offers multiple tour routes, including the Historic Fairy Cave, the King’s Row route with The Barn, and a wild caving route into passageways discovered by Colorado Grotto members in the 1950s. The cave is a part of an adventure park featuring thrill rides, including roller coasters and a giant swing. A tramway provides access to the park.
• Orient Mine – Abandoned Colroado Fuel & Iron mine in the northern San Luis Valley. Hosts Colorado’s largest known bat colony of brazilian free-tailed bats. Owned by the non-profit Orient Land Trust, the mine and associated natural cave passageways are a designated Colorado State Natural Area. Access is very limited owing to concerns about White Nose Syndrome.
• Rifle Falls State Park – State park north of Rifle includes several natural caves in travertine open to public inspection. The park also features impressive waterfalls over the travertine.
• Yampah Spa Hot Spring Vapor Caves – Privately-owned natural steam-filled vapor cave at the western portal to Glenwood Canyon. Opened in 1893, the cave also features a spa.

Montana

• Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park – Originally a national monument, the cave became Montana’s first state park. Multiple seasonal tours are offered in mostly the summer season, through candlelight tours are offered in the Christmas holiday season. In addition to cave tours, there is a visitor center, hiking trails, and a campground.

South Dakota

• Black Hills Caverns – Offers two seasonal tours. Opened in 1939, the Caverns are located in the Black Hills west of Rapid City.
• Jewel Cave National Monument – One of the largest known caves in the world, Jewel Cave National Monument offers multiple tour routes. Visitor Center and picnic grounds on site.
• Rushmore Cave – Located in Rush Mountain Adventure Park west of Hermosa, Rushmore Cave offers seasonal tours with two routes, one being an adventure tour.
• Wind Cave National Park – Located north of Hot Springs, this National Park Service cave offers several seasonal cave tours. Visitor Center, campground, hiking, and scenic drives are also found in the park.
• Wonderland Cave – Privately-operated commercial cave within the Custer National Forest near Nemo. Seasonal tours are offered.

Utah

• Crystal Ball Cave – Bureau of Land Management cave in western Utah, with tours provided by the privately-owned Bates Family Ranch. The ranch offers limited rustic accommodations for the visitor, including cabins, restrooms, and tent sites.
• Timpanogos Cave National Monument – The National Park Service offers seasonal guided tours to these caves located high above the canyon floor. Hiking is required to reach the cave. Reservations for tours are required. Located in the Wasatch Mountains south of Salt Lake City.