Virginia Region of the NSS

Limited Access Caves

Last update: March 16, 2009
White Nose Syndrome -- Please Read This!

There is a mysterious problem that is causing many bat deaths in several northeastern caves and this winter the problem has spread to West Virginia and is suspected in Virginia.  As a result, a number of caves have been closed by their owners or managers. Additional information about this problem is available at
   http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html
   http://caves.org/WNS/WNS Info.htm
   http://www.white-nose.info

There is no proof, but there is a strong possibility that cavers are helping spread the problem to new caves by transporting the suspected fungus on their boots and cave gear.

Here are some precautions that cavers are being asked to follow to reduce the spread of WNS:
  • Consider a hiatus in your caving trips until more is known about WNS and how to avoid spreading it.
  • After EVERY cave trip decontaminate your cave gear, including helmet, lights and (especially) boots, following the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service guidelines (click here for the procedure).
  • If a cave in this list is marked "WNS Closure" do not go to it (these caves have significant populations of endangered bats).
  • If a cave is marked "Potential WNS Cave" it means the cave has a significant bat population and should be avoiderd. If you do go to one, be sure ALL your gear is decontaminated BEFORE and AFTER the trip.
  • Avoid visiting multiple caves on a trip, but if you do go to more than one be sure to have enough gear (including boots) to wear uncontaminated gear in each cave. 
Caver help is desperately needed to help slow the spread of WNS.  It is likely that it will slowly spread without human help, but following the guidelines above may help slow its spread until researchers can find out what it is and how to stop it.  Your help is appreciated.

The Virginia Area Region Limited Access Caves list includes all the caves in the Virginia Region of the NSS that are known to have access restrictions placed on them.  Caves are listed by state and county with an index in the left frame. Each cave has a four letter code showing it's access status. Keys to the code are given in the top frame.

Caving organizations are encouraged to give this list wide distribution.  The Web version of the list is the "master" copy, but versions suitable for printing in newsletters are available from Bob Hoke (bob@rhoke.net).

This list is updated from information received from cavers. Many of the entries in this list are very old.  If you are familiar with the access status for a cave with an old entry, please let Bob Hoke know whether the entry is still correct, or provide a current status.  Additions, corrections, deletions, or comments should be sent to:

Bob Hoke,  6304 Kaybro St., Laurel, MD 20707
(301)725-5877   e-mail: bob@rhoke.net
Please do not ask for cave locations, owner's names, maps, or similar information.

With the large number of restricted caves in the Region, it should be obvious that all cavers must practice the usual rules of caving courtesy.  Especially, be sure to obtain the owner's permission before entering any cave. 

(The VAR Limited Access Cave List is hosted on the DC Grotto's Web site at  www.caves.org/grotto/dcg/.  The rather strange address you may see at the top of your browser is the Web page address on that site).