Caving
Take the ultimate adventure and go underground at a national park.
While there's always plenty to experience above ground, many of our parks offer the opportunity to explore below ground. Caving is an incredible way to immerse yourself in the whole other world that lives beneath your feet.
The ultimate adventure
If you're looking to experience a landscape that's uniquely spectacular and utterly different than the one you're accustomed to, we have an idea for you: Head for one of the many national parks that are home to caves, some of which descend for hundreds (or even more!) feet into the ground. There, with the help of a headlamp or flashlight, you'll discover an entirely new world of stunning beauty and endless discovery.
A few things to consider
Take a tour
Caving at national parks often requires joining a guided tour. Please check with individual parks for more information on their tour schedules and any other requirements.
Visit with respect
Tread lightly. Please don't touch cave walls, as the natural oils on your hands can damage the formations. Be aware that caves are home to a variety of wildlife—including bats—who really don't want to be disturbed. So please don't.
Wear layers
While caves tend to remain at a consistent temperature throughout the year, they are generally cool and humid, and you'll want to ensure that you have plenty of layers to keep you warm during your underground adventure.
Plan ahead
Some cave tours are strenuous and not appropriate for all ages. Please check with individual parks before bringing the whole family.
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Love caves? Here's where to start
If you're into spelunking or just love exploring new landscapes, here are a few of our favorite national parks for our resident cave-lovers.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns preserves a portion of the Capitan Reef—one of the best-preserved, exposed Permian-age fossil reefs in the world. Yes, this New Mexican wonder was once (more than 250 million years ago!) the coastline of an inland sea. The park is rich with experiences from bat flight programs to tours of the cave itself. If you make it all the way to the bottom, you'll be glad to know there's an elevator all the way back up to the top.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
While Timpanogos Cave isn't as big as Carlsbad Caverns, it is breathtakingly beautiful. The three caves protected by the monument are known for their helictites—spiral formations that seem to defy gravity. This, in addition to the stunning colors of the caves' formations and features, make Timpanogos Cave a must-visit.
Great Basin National Park
When you think of Great Basin, the 13,000+ summit of Wheeler Peak might come to mind. However, there's even more beneath the surface of this hidden gem national park. A ranger-guided tour of the fascinating Lehman Caves will take you through stunning cave features and new discoveries of the ways caves form. You'll want to schedule these tours far in advance because they are very popular.
Pinnacles National Park
This mighty California park has something for everyone, including cavers. Explore Bear Gulch Cave and Balconies Cave for stunning views of the park from underground. These caves serve as a vital habitats for bats, so check with the park for a schedule of closures that protect the mating habits of these precious pollinators.
Coronado National Memorial
Looking for something a little more off the beaten path? Explore Coronado Cave at Coronado National Memorial. Follow the moderately strenuous 0.5-mile trail and get ready to do some crawling over boulders and uneven ground. Don't worry. It'll be worth is when you reach the cave floor. Though this cave is undeveloped, you won't be the first person to stand on its floor. While there is no physical evidence of human use in the cave today, this place may have served as a shelter by many groups of people for the last 8,000 years.
Where to go
Explore parks for caving
Legend
- Partner Park
- Gateway City
