Northeastern Cave Conservancy PRESERVES
NOTE: All caves that have had Northern Long Eared bats are closed from October 1 until May 1, which includes many caves of the caves on NCC preserves. Please consult the individual preserve page for specific information.
Alan Traino Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 .
- Special Use groups require a permit
- For others no permit is required
- Contact Preserve Manager
Bensons Cave Preserve
- Minimum group size is 4 .
- Each party member must be proficient in vertical caving techniques and have their own set of gear.
- Visitors are strictly forbidden from continuing north into Secret Caverns unless written permission has been obtained from the Secret Caverns Management.
- Special Use groups require a permit
- All others must contact Preserve Manager for permit
- Contact Preserve Manager
Bentleys Cave Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 ; maximum group size is 15 .
- Park in the main parking area off Rt 22.
- Special Use groups require a permit
- For others no permit is required
- Contact Preserve Manager
Clarksville Cave Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 ; maximum group size is 15 .
- Visits allowed from 7AM to 11PM
- Special Use groups require a permit
- For others no permit is required
- Contact Preserve Manager
Ella Armstrong Cave
- Minimum group size is 3 .
- Park at Ella Armstrong parking area.
- Each party member must be proficient in vertical caving techniques and have their own set of gear
- Not recommended for Special Use groups
- For others no permit is required
- Contact Preserve Manager
Jack Packers Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 ; maximum group size is 6 .
- Special Use groups require a permit
- For others no permit is required
- Contact Preserve Manager
Knox Cave Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 .
- Kneepads highly recommended
- Key needed for Crossbones cave
- For Crossbones cave, each party member must be proficient in vertical caving techniques and have their own set of gear
- Special Use groups require a permit
- All others must contact Preserve Manager for permit
- Contact Preserve Manager
Merlins Cave Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 ; maximum group size is 8 .
- Trips must be led by a Merlins cave steward.
- Park in the Merlins parking area, do not block gate.
- Not recommended for Special Use groups
- All others must contact Preserve Manager for permit
- Contact Preserve Manager
Onesquethaw Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 .
- Kneepads are required
- Special Use groups require a permit
- All others must contact Preserve Manager for permit
- Contact Preserve Manager
Salamander Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 ; maximum group size is 15 .
- Special Use groups require a permit
- For others no permit is required
- Contact Preserve Manager
Sellecks Karst Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 .
- Park in NCC parking area
- Each party member must be proficient in vertical caving techniques and have their own set of gear
- Not recommended for Special Use groups
- For others no permit is required
- Contact Preserve Manager
Spider Cave Preserve
- Minimum group size is 3 .
- Park in the large pull-off down from the cave on the opposite side of the road.
- Not recommended for Special Use groups
- For others no permit is required
- Contact Preserve Manager
Committed to the conservation, study, management, and acquisition of caves and karst areas having significant geological, hydrological, biological, recreational, historical or aesthetic features.
86 Acres of Preserves
16 Known Caves
First Cave Acquired in 1979
Latest Cave Acquired in 2016