Wells Cave Nature Preserve
KEY STATS
Pulaski County, Kentucky
2003
11.5 miles
Wells Cave has a long history within Pulaski County, Kentucky as its location along a vital coal, logging, and saltpeter trade route in the 1800s gave the cave much attention and use throughout the years. The cave has also been used as a classroom to understand speleogenesis, paleoclimates, hydrology, and cave management.
Wells Cave Nature Preserve includes two of the four entrances to a historically, geologically, and biologically significant cave that is 11.5-miles long. As White Nose Syndrome was detected by bat biologists during the winter of 2013-2014, the bat hibernaculum areas are closed to recreational visits from October through April. In addition, the third and fourth entrances to Wells Cave are located on US Forest Service property and private property (along Buck Creek), thus access cannot be granted by the NSS for these entrances.
Want to Visit?
As White Nose Syndrome was detected by bat biologists during the winter of 2013-2014, the bat hibernaculum areas are closed to recreational visits from October through April. While a full bioinventory has not yet been done in Wells Cave. However, a small colony of Indiana bats hibernate in the cave and an unidentified cavefish has been observed. Bat censuses are being conducted by the US Forest Service and the Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission.
Wells Cave is formed in the Mississippian Bangor Limestone. The cave appears to have both floodwater maze and distributary passages at the downstream end of the system and contains approximately 2.5 miles of major stream passage, known as River Passage. This stream resurges on Buck Creek, which is a private entrance. Recharge to the cave is primarily derived from runoff of nearby insoluble rocks.
Wells Cave contains approximately 2.5 miles of major stream passage, known as River Passage. This stream resurges on Buck Creek. Recharge to the cave is primarily derived from runoff from nearby insoluble rocks.
Requests for access can be made by contacting the Preserve Management Team via email at: WellsPreserve@caves.org with any questions.
