Gated Caves of Utah

Originated by Dale Green; Updated by Jon Jasper

Last updated October 8, 2008

Antelope Springs Cave: This Cave is owned and managed by BLM Office in Fillmore, Utah. The cave is closed from April to September to protect a maternity colony of Townsend's big-eared bats. At other times, caving groups meeting certain minimal standards may obtain the key. Some requirements are: a limit of 10 people/trip maximum, 3 people/trip minimum, one group/day, and hardhats required. Arrangements for a key can be made by through the BLM Office in Fillmore, (435) 743-6811. The non-duplicatable key is normally mailed to you.

Baker Creek Cave System: This cave system consisting of Wheelers Deep, Model Cave, Ice Cave, Systems Key, and Crevasse Cave is managed by Great Basin National Park. The keys must be requested 2 weeks in advance. Call (775) 234-7331 x288. Problems getting keys during weekend may exist. Model Cave and Systems Key require a 1/2 inch socket wrench to open the gates.

Bloomington Cave: A contract for a cave gate has been awarded. The cave gate construction is expected to occur sometime in November. Access will then be managed by permit through the St. George Interagency Office (345 E. Riverside Dr). If in doubt whether gated or not, call the BLM at (435) 688-3200.

Blowhole Cave: The access to Blowhole is managed by the Timpanogos Grotto through an agreement with the Utah State Trust Lands. The access requirements are identical to Nutty Putty Cave. Fill out the access request form and put Blowhole Cave as the destination, then return the form as indicated. The combination to the gate's lock will then be emailed to you.

Bowers Lava Tube: The lava tubes in this area including Bowers and Mammoth Cave are closed during the winter to prevent any disturbance of Townsend's big-eared bats, which hibernate in the caves. Donna Owens, acting district ranger for the Dixie National forest, said with the spring departure of the bats, the lava-tube caves will be open from late May until September 30.

Candlelight Cave: This cave is managed by mutual agreement between the BLM and the four local Grottos. With the present approved Management Plan and Permit, only 1 trip per month is allowed in the cave. Each of the three grottos rotates through 4 trips per year with 6 persons/trip maximum and a 4 persons/trip minimum. All trips must have a trip leader who can negotiate all of the drops. Richard Downey is the present key holder.

Chepeta Cave: The Roosevelt District of the Ashley National Forest manages this cave. Access to the cave is limited to qualified trip leaders.

Please contact David Herron, Ashley National Forest Geologist, for more information. (435) 781-5218.

Crystal Cave: This cave was gated in November 2004. In mid-Dec 2005, the Crystal Cave Management Plan (120 KB) was completed. Access has been restored through a permitting system administered by the Salt Lake BLM Office. The cave has a summer seasonal closure (April 1 to September 31) due to nursing colonies of Townsend's Big-eared Bats. Groups must be 4 to 6 people. To apply for a permit fill out the Crystal Cave Permit Request Form (210 KB) and FAX to Salt Lake BLM.

Crystal Ball Cave: This cave is located on BLM land but is controlled under mining claims filed by the Bates family in Gandy, Utah. Gerald and Marlene Bates conduct tours for the public. You should call in advance. No tours are conducted on Sundays. The fees are $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for children. The tour minimum is $12. The Bates lead tours with lanterns, but you will see more if you take your own good headlamps.

Duck Creek Lava Tube: This lava tube is managed by the Cedar City Ranger District of the Dixie National Forest. Duck Creek is considered to be a closed, protected cave, and is part of a culinary water system. However, the Forest Service conducts inspection trips at least twice a year. It is possible to accompany the inspector with advance notice. The present contact person is unknown.

Gandy Mountain Cave: This cave is located a few miles from Crystal Ball Cave. Gandy Mountain Cave only takes a few tours to explore. You have to make special arrangements with the Bates (435) 693-3145 to visit.

Indian Burial Cave: This BLM Cave was just recently gated in October 2004. Permits are managed through Great Basin National Park. Permit can be request 2 weeks in advance by calling (775) 234-7331 x228.

Interstate Cave: Access to Interstate Cave requires a Special Use Permit from Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). The 1 year permit requires a $25 processing fee. If interested, contact UDOT permits secretary at 801-975-4808.

Little Muddy Cave: This cave is managed by Great Basin National Park. Due to Carbon Dioxide problems in the summer months, the cave is only open in the winter. Permit can be request 2 weeks in advance by calling (775) 234-7331 x228.

Logan Cave: The Logan Ranger District of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest manages this cave. The cave is closed to protect bat colonies. Unfortunately, someone thought killing off the bats would remove the reason for closing the cave part of the year. The result was permanent closure of the cave.

Neffs Cave: The key to Neffs Cave will only be given to those that are familiar with the entire cave and can safely navigate the drops. Due to the high public awareness of this cave, the key holder doesn't want to be swamped by requests of unqualified groups. If interested, consult with your local grotto officers. The cave can require about 800 ft of rope to reach bottom.

Nutty Putty Cave: The access to Nutty Putty Cave is managed by the Timpanogos Grotto through an agreement with the Utah State Trust Lands. The access requirements are modeled after the national Scouting Caving Requirements. Fill out the access request form, then return the form as indicated. If a Scouting group, a copy of the approved BSA trip permit must be included. Once approved, the combination to the gate's lock will then be emailed to you.

Mammoth Cave Lava Tube: The lava tubes in this area including Mammoth and Bowers Caves are closed during the winter to prevent any disturbance of Townsend's big-eared bats, which hibernate in the caves. Donna Owens, acting district ranger for the Dixie National forest, said with the spring departure of the bats, the lava-tube caves will be open from late May until September 30.

Old Mans Cave: Ely Forest Service Office manages this cave. The cave is closed from April 1 to September 15. Call Deanna Stever at 775-293-2466 to arrange how to get the key. The trip may require a drive to Ely to pick up the key.

Porcupine Cave: Kamas Ranger District of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest manages this cave. By written agreement with the District Ranger, each grotto has one key and is allowed 2 trips per year with a maximum of 6 people/trip. The key holders are Dale Green of the Salt Lake Grotto and Richard Downey of the Timpanogos Grotto.

Rabbit Trap Cave: The access to Rabbit Trap is managed by the Timpanogos Grotto through an agreement with the Utah State Trust Lands. The access requirements are the same as Nutty Putty Cave. Fill out the access request form and put Rabbit Trap Cave as the destination, then return the form as indicated. Arrangements will be needed to pick up the key.

Red Baron Cave: The Pleasant Grove Ranger District of the Uinta National Forest manages this cave. Richard Downey is the present key holder. The cave has strenuous hike and needs a 50 ft rope to descend into the entrance.

Ringtail Caverns: This cave is owned by Ken Anderson and managed by Kyle Voyles. Access is only granted for research purposes. For access, email Kyle Voyles. The owner will just refer you to Kyle.

Sheep Creek Cave: This cave is located on the Manila Ranger District of the Ashley National Forest. The cave is closed from November 1 until April 15 to protect hibernating bats. The key is available by calling (435) 784-3445. The key must be picked up in Manila and requires a $25 deposit. A check is greatly preferred over cash for the deposit.

Silly Putty Cave: The access to Silly Putty Cave is managed by the Timpanogos Grotto through an agreement with the Utah State Trust Lands. The access requirements are the same as Nutty Putty Cave. Fill out the access request form and put Silly Putty Cave as the destination, then return the form as indicated. Arrangements will be needed to pick up the key.

Snake Creek Cave: This cave is managed by Great Basin National Park. The key can be request 2 weeks in advance by calling (775) 234-7331 x228. The cave may be closed due to recent vandalism done to the cave under the present permit system. A short 20 ft handline is recommended for inexperienced climbers.

Spanish Moss Cave: The Pleasant Grove Ranger District of the Uinta National Forest manages this cave. A new Management Plan is allowing more access to this cave than in the past. Richard Downey is the present key holder. The cave requires about a 100 ft rope to descend and it is recommended another 100 ft to easily negotiate the slope.

Whiterocks Cave: The Vernal Ranger District of the Ashley National Forest manages this cave. The Forest Service conducts guided tours every Saturday throughout the summer by advanced reservation only. Tours are limited to 15 people. The starting date of the summer's first tour depends on trail conditions and when the Whiterocks River can be safely crossed. Reservations are based on a lottery system. Applications need to be received by April 15th of each year, and it is not unusual for all weekends to be filled up rapidly. Call (385) 789-1811 to make reservations. The Ashley National Forest Service website also posts the most up-to-date information.

Return to the Timpanogos Grotto Website

Maintained by Jon Jasper - last updated October 8, 2008