SPECIAL USE GROUPS (CAMPS, SCHOOLS, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, SCOUTS, ETC)
Please note, the National Speleological Society, Inc. (NSS) and the Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (NCC) are completely separate 501(c)(3) organizations. Both are staffed by volunteers. Neither charge a fee for use of their properties but are happy to receive donations at the addresses listed below.
We have combined this information to help make your visits to these caves easier.
Guides are not provided by these organizations. Contact your local caving club through caves.org if you are looking for a guide as they may be able to help you.
For any questions or clarification please contact specialuse@necaveconservancy.org
CAVES OWNED BY THE NORTHEASTERN CAVE CONSERVANCY (NCC)
General NCC Checklist (for all NCC caves):
- Contact the group use coordinators to make a reservation at specialuse@necaveconservancy.org
- A certificate of additionally insured naming the Northeastern Cave Conservancy Inc as additionally insured should be emailed as a PDF to specialuse@necaveconservancy.org or mailed to Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc., PO Box 254, Schoharie NY 12157.
- Note: All certificates of additionally insured naming the NCC inc must verify a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence liability coverage.
- Provide a Notification of Risk for the entire party. If the group intends to visit more than one NCC preserve, there should be one form provided for each preserve. The signature must be original and the form should be mailed by US Postal Service to the NCC.
- No more than 15 people total, including leaders, in a group. (Total of 14 for scout groups including at least 2 leaders)
- Scout groups must follow the National Scout rules for caving and complete the BSA NCC-NSS form. For BSA rules click here.
- For all caves only four (4) special use slots are available per cave per day. In July and August we permit groups to reserve only 2 slots per day for any given cave.
- Once paperwork is complete, the group use coordinator will provide the group with a window permit to be displayed in the car window while parked at the cave.
- Camping is not allowed on any NCC property.
- Please note that there are no bathroom facilities at NCC preserves. Please plan ahead. The NCC supports the principles of Leave No Trace.
Knox Cave
- Minimum of 4 in party.
- Read Information Sheet
Clarksville Cave
- Minimum of 4 in party.
- No fires please.
Bentleys Cave
- Minimum of 4 in party.
- Read Information Sheet.
Onesquethaw Cave
- Minimum of 4 in party.
- Read Information Sheet.
Bensons Cave
- Minimum of 4 in party.
- Read Information Sheet.
- Each party member must be proficient in vertical caving techniques and have their own set of gear.
Ella Armstrong
- Ella Armstrong is a vertical cave and thus not recommended for most special use groups. Groups that are vertically competant may enter the cave.
Sellecks, Levys, Cave 575
- Not recommended for special use groups.
Merlins Cave
- Not recommended for special use groups.
Crossbones Cave
- Not recommended for special use groups.
CAVES OWNED BY THE NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (NSS)
Note: No cave for pay is allowed in NSS owned caves. Cave for pay means those groups where a leader receives payment for activities related solely to the cave trip. This may include but is not limited to, rental of cave equipment, transportation to the cave, and guide services. If you have questions, please contact a manager.
General NSS Checklist (for all NSS caves):
- Contact the group use coordinators to make a reservation at specialuse@necaveconservancy.org
- Contact the group use coordinators to make a reservation at specialuse@necaveconservancy.org
- A certificate of additionally insured naming the National Speleological Society Inc as additionally insured should be emailed as a PDF to specialuse@necaveconservancy.org or mailed care of the Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc., PO Box 254, Schoharie NY 12157
- Provide a Notification of Risk for the entire party. If the group intends to visit more than one NSS preserve, there should be one form provided for each preserve. The signature must be original and the form should be mailed by US Postal Service to the NCC.
- No more than 15 people total, including leaders, in a group. (Total of 14 for scout groups including at least 2 leaders)
- Scout groups must follow the National Scout rules for caving and complete the BSA NCC-NSS form. For BSA rules click here.
- For all caves only four (4) special use slots are available per cave per day. In July and August we permit groups to reserve only 2 slots per day for any given cave.
- Once paperwork is complete, the group use coordinator will provide the group with a window permit to be displayed in the car window while parked at the cave.
Schoharie Caverns
- No other paperwork needs to be completed to visit this cave.
- Minimum of 4 in party
- Camping on this property is strongly discouraged. Any camping would require a special permit. The property can not be reserved for a single group and facilities are limited. Adult activities, such as smoking and alcohol consumption may occur on this property.
McFails, Hanors/Disappointment
- Not recommended for special group use.
- Surface visits require no further paperwork.
Gage, Greens & Keyhole
- Minimum of 4 in party.
- Read information sheet.
- Belay equipment and ability to use it.
- Camping on this property is not allowed.
- For Keyhole Cave, there is a leadership requirement.