Bentleys Cave Preserve
Bentleys Karst Preserve was donated by Mr and Mrs Bentley in fall of 2009. The preserve is situated on top of a hill in Berlin, NY and consists of about 5 acres.
The largest of the caves is Bentley’s Cavern with approximately 1000 feet of passage. The entrance to the cave is in the edge of a small cliff, and opens into a large passageway with a tall ceiling. The passageway terminates into a low crawl where a stream enters the cave.
Dry Valley Cave was discovered in 1991.
This preserve does not require special permission or a release form for regular users.
- Minimum group size is 3 ; maximum group size is 15 .
- All persons entering the cave(s) must have at least the following minimum equipment: helmet with a chin strap; three (3) sources of light, one of which must be helmet mounted; and knee pads.
- Special Use Groups: Insurance or certificate thereof may be required for private groups such as schools, camps, and scouts. Groups such as the Boy Scouts will be required to show proof that they are complying with their own rules regarding caving.
- Cave exploration and hiking on karst terrain may involve risk or injury, even death from various hazards, both obvious and obscure, including, but not limited to, slippery and uneven ground, open pits, injury by acts of other people, falling, being struck by falling objects, becoming lost, the presence or sudden appearance of water, and hypothermia. All cave visitors are expected to abide by the normally accepted rules of safe and conservation minded caving as outlined by the National Speleological Society, 6001 Pulaski Pike, Huntsville, Alabama 35810-1122.
- All caves must be treated as unique natural resources, and nothing should be removed from any cave except trash.
- All work projects must be clearly defined and authorized beforehand.
- Each group is expected to clean up any trash in the cave or on the property.
- Follow US Fish and Wildlife’s decontamination procedures for WNS.
All caves on the preserve are closed October 1st through April 30th to protect hibernating bats. Contact the managers (below) for additional information.
If you have questions about this preserve, please contact the preserve managers at bentleys@necaveconservancy.org