Wild Caving

Great Basin National Park offers wild caving by permit to those with the necessary skills.

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Lehman Caves Wild Cave Tours

Lehman Caves can be explored two ways: On a tour on a paved tour route, or on the wild side. An Introduction to Wild Caving Tour is available on weekends during the summer months for small groups to explore the deep dark of Lehman Caves.

Off the paved tourist trail and away from the electrical lighting system, you will experience the cave in its natural environment. Learn how to cave safely while protecting the cave and the natural and cultural history that lies deep within.

Your experience begins at check-in at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center where you will meet your guide, go over fitness and equipment requirements, safety messages, and be fitted with provided cave gear. From there, you'll assemble as a group and journey underground, exploring the approximately 1.5miles of Lehman Caves, beginning on trail before climbing into the dark.

This tour requires bending, climbing, and is considered strenuous. Be prepared to get your clothes dirty and have fun! The tour is limited to 8 people, age 16 and older, and requires advanced ticket reservations.

Wild Caving outside Lehman Caves

Lehman Caves is the most famous of Great Basin National Park's caves, but there are actually about 40 caves in the park.

Upon completion of a Wild Cave and Karst Management Plan, seven wild (undeveloped) caves are open to recreational use in the Park under a permit system. All other wild caves are closed except to research and management uses.

How do I get a wild cave permit?
Recreational permits will be approved for those who can demonstrate cave conservation ethics and their experience with horizontal and (if pertinent) vertical caving techniques and equipment. Cave gear must be clean. If cave gear has ever been in a White-nose Syndrome (WNS) area, it is not allowed inside any GRBA cave, regardless of decontamination.

1. Permits should be applied for at least two weeks prior to the trip.
2. No more than one permit per week will be issued for each cave.
3. Each group must have a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 6 people.
4. Each group must have all of their own gear, including helmets, lights, kneepads, and gloves.
5. All cave gear and clothing must be clean when entering the cave.

Groups may apply to enter multiple caves, as long as entry is during the open period for those caves. Cavers who qualify and are interested can contact the Cave Specialist for a permit application and more information.

Cave	Dates Open	Description (Length in feet/Vertical Relief in feet)	Notes	Access
Little Muddy	Oct 1 – Apr 15	Fun, crawly cave (1015/25)	Previously a wild cave tour route; Concrete block behind Lehman Caves Visitor Center is size of tight spot in main passage	5 min drive, 5 min hike
Catamount	Year round	Very short cave, requires stemming (33/31)	Next to Ice Cave	10 min drive, 10 min hike
Ice Cave	Year round	Good beginner cave, some crawling (677/41)	May have some water flowing into it on high water years; Cold cave	10 min drive, 10 min hike
Crevasse-Halliday’s Deep	April 1 – May 15 and September 15 – October 15	Vertical cave and some tight crawls (>3,000/238)	Need to bring own rope for rigging	10 min drive, 25 min hike
Systems Key	April 1 – May 15 and September 15 – October 15	Vertical section and some tight crawls (1039/94)	Cold cave	10 min drive, 20 min hike
Broken	June 15 - October 15	Small, high elevation cave (108/55)	Cold cave	2 hr drive (1 hr 4WD up Mt. Washington), 1 hr steep hike
Snake Creek	Year round	Variety of passage types; handline recommended (1682/57)	Dust mask recommended for entrance area	25 min drive, 15 min hike

 

A caver exploring one of the vertical permitted caves in Great Basin

NPS Photo