Many people know New York as the city that never sleeps, with all the excitement, vibrancy, and much more you can find on every corner of the city. Little do people know that there is much more to the state of New York than this. If you move a little bit upstate on the map, you will find something entirely different than what the vibrant city usually offers, especially if you’re a nature explorer. Spelunking or cave exploring is an activity that’s popular among adrenaline junkies and nature lovers, and they consider the caves in Upstate, New York, as one of the havens to dig deep and see what the Earth offers. Whether you’re staying at a Vrbo vacation rental near Central Park or in a hotel with pool in Upstate, the caving adventures offered by the New York City are something you’d love to experience. Scroll down to read our recommendations for caving adventures in New York.
1. Bentley's Cave Preserve
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Bentley’s Cave Preserve was donated by the Bentley family to North Eastern Cave Conservancy in 2009. The preserve, near the village of Berlin, consists of two caves, the Bentley’s Cavern with a passage of 1000 ft (304.80 m) and a smaller Dry Valley Cave. Drive along Route 22 up to the parking lot entrance which leads to a clearing where a kiosk with maps and information about the cave can be found. A small cliff houses the entrance to Bentley’s Cavern.
If you’re going alone you wouldn’t need any special permission, but if you’re planning an excursion with a group you’ll need to contact NCC special use coordinators. Don’t wait any longer and plan your first caving experience in New York by visiting Bentley’s Cave Preserve.
Bentley's Cave Preserve
Address: off the west side of Route 22, south of the village of Berlin, near New York
Website: Bentley’s Cave Preserve
2. Dover Stone Church
The Dover Stone Church is a nature preserve with a waterfall nestled between the rocks in a cave. To reach this well-hidden wonder of nature you’ll have to drive off of Dover Plains, about 200 ft (60.96 m) south of the parking light on Route 22. Parking on-site is not available so you’ll have to park at the local elementary school or at Freshco 22 Deli and Restaurant.
After you reach the metamorphic rock cavern, once a hideout for Native Americans and later a wedding site, enjoy the serene and quiet beauty of the waterfall and Stone Church Brook.
Dover Stone Church
Address: 3128 NY-22 Dover Plains, NY
Website: Dover Stone Church
3. Sam's Point Preserve
Pupper lovers rejoice! Sam’s Point Preserve is a caving spot that you can enjoy with your pooch, of course after making sure that your dogs’ feet are covered with shoes or something that can protect their precious paws since the rocks and stones can be too hot for them during warm weather. Sam’s Point Preserve is located at the Shawangunk Mountains, New York, at the southern side of the park. At this place, you can enjoy the sight of (as they say) Earth’s Last Great Place, a magnificent waterfall that drops to 180 feet (54.8 metres) below. The largest cave at Sam’s Point is Ellenville Fault Ice Caves from which you can feel chilling air coming out while exploring it.
Sam's Point Preserve
Address: 400 Sams Point Rd, Cragsmoor, NY 12420, United States
Website: Sam’s Point Preserve
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD (parking fee)
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4. Clarksville Cave
Spanning 4,800 feet (around 1,500 metres) long, Clarksville Cave is known as one of the longest cave in New York state. There are three entrances to get into the cave, and the most popular one is called Gregory entrance, where it has a parking lot and changing facilities for visitors’ convenience. It’s advised that you wear warm clothing and durable boots to explore this cave since you will need to crawl around inside the cave and it can get wet and muddy. There’s also an underground river inside the cave, and you can bring your scuba gear if you feel like going for a dip. Don’t forget to bring a set of clean clothes to change after you finished and a bag to put your dirty and wet clothes in. It’s especially important to maintain silence in the cave after 9:30pm.
Clarksville Cave
Address: 2082 Delaware Tpke, Clarksville, NY 12041-1224
Website: Clarksville Cave
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Donation-based
New York Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.
Tours by Annie
5. Lockport Caves (from USD 19.0)
Get ready for an adventure in a cave that’s family-friendly. Lockport Cave offers you a journey of walking through the water tunnel inside the cave and enjoying America’s longest underground boat ride along the Erie Canal. Many people would describe the boat ride as peaceful, although quite a few of them would also say it’s eerie, due to the lifeless water that the boats have to go through and the dark and quiet ambience surrounding them during the trip. The guides will tell you all the history about the place, from the fact that Lockport Cave was entirely human-made, to how the hydraulic tunnel inside provides water power to three industries.
Lockport Cave Admission and Underground Boat Ride Ticket
Duration: 1 hour
6. Knox Cave Preserve
Knox Cave Preserve is located in Albany County, and it has two main caves that you can explore. One of them is Knox Cave that’s been commercialised back in 1933 to 1958, earning a spot as one of the most visited caves in the northeast of United States. Before you do so, you must obtain a permit and are required to follow the guidelines given at the site. Given the difficulties you will face while caving in this place, it’s well-known that Knox Cave is not a site for beginners. Including the parking spot, you have to park your vehicle in the given area.
Knox Cave Preserve
Website: Knox Cave Preserve
7. Secret Caverns
Take your family for a journey deep down the Earth and see a waterfall that’s located 100 feet (30.4 metres) underground, from this funky place, Secret Caverns. When you arrive at the site, you will find that this place is targeted towards families with its vibrant and fun decorations. There will be 45 minutes to an hour’s guided cave tour along this cavern in New York, and inside you can admire what nature has done to the place, from the natural stalactite and stalagmite to the limestone in the area. Also, be amazed by how the cave managed to maintain its natural temperature of -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) the whole year round.
Secret Caverns
Address: 671 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, New York 12092
Website: Secret Caverns
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 3pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 4pm
Price: 18 USD (adult); 8 USD (children); Free (children under 6)
8. Ella Armstrong Cave
The cave is located not too far from Knox and Crossbones Caves in Albany County, New York. It’s a vertical cave that’s not too deep into the centre of the Earth and it gained its name from the inscription that can be found at the base of the entrance drop that said the name “Ella Armstrong”. Even though the cave needs extra attention, the place is suitable for all ages and people who’d want to try won’t need to ask for release form or special permission to make the caving trip. Even so, it would be wise if visitors who would like to explore the cave would bring their own pieces of equipment and gears. The cave is currently closed to preserve hibernating bats so do keep checking its website for announcements.
Ella Armstrong Cave
Address: Knox, New York
Website: Ella Armstrong Cave
9. Howe Caverns
The discovery of Howe Caverns is quite an exciting story to tell. One day, a farmer by the name of Lester Howe was investigating a particular spot where his cows usually gather. Lester ended up discovering a cave and he explored it with his friend, Henry Wetsel. Howe Caverns is an excellent place to have a day tour with the whole family, and even the excitement can be felt during the journey to this place where you can see beautiful scenery and views. Today, the fun at Howe Caverns doesn’t only come from the cave exploring and boat rides but also other activities provided by the company, such as Escape Room and Glassworks Workshops.
Howe Caverns
Address: 255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave, NY 12092
Website: Howe Caverns
Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 10am - 3pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
Price: From 13 USD
10. Onesquethaw Cave
Onesquethaw Cave is the second largest cave in Albany, New York, and is also probably the wettest cave. The entrance is famous for being flooded up during the wet weather until they need to close the site during the time. However, during the dry season, after getting your written permission to explore the cave, you can enter the site and admire the fossils from the Devonian age all over the walls. Make sure you bring your wetsuit before entering the cave since the insides can be wet throughout the year. Do note that it is currently closed until April to preserve the hibernating bats.
Onesquethaw Cave
Website: Onesquethaw Cave
11. Caves in Sellecks Karst Preserve
There are four caves at Sellecks Karst Preserve, they are Selleck Cave, Levys Cave, Cave 575, and Natural Bridge Cave, and the four of them each have their own characteristics. Selleck Cave is the largest cave on the site, with around 1,000 feet (304.8 metres) of path. As you enter the cave, you have to do a 20-foot (6 metres) drop to get to the bottom of the cave before exploring it. Levys Cave is a 200-feet (60.9 metres) long cave with a small stream insurgence, that collects water during spring. Cave 575 is also smaller, and to enter you also need to do a drop, although not as deep as Selleck Cave as it is only a 15-foot (4.5 metres) drop. Inside Cave 575, you can see an extensive display of fossils inside the walls. The last cave, Natural Bridge Cave, is more of a natural limestone bridge in the area. This cave is currently closed until April to preserve the hibernating bats.
Sellecks Karst Preserve
Address: Kniskern Road, Carlisle, Schoharie County, New York
Website: Sellecks Karst Preserve
12. Natural Stone Bridge and Caves
Located around 90 minutes’ drive from the Lake Placid, Natural Stone Bridge and Caves is a part of the Adirondack Mountains, and it’s the largest marble cave of the United States. Due to its unique resources, caving is only one of many activities that you can do in this place. While you’re exploring the site, you can enjoy the scenery and admire the paths. Before going on the journey, make sure you’re wearing the appropriate footwear to avoid accidents.
Natural Stone Bridge and Caves
Address: 535 Stone Bridge Road, Pottersville, NY 12860
Website: Natural Stone Bridge and Caves
Opening hours: Winter, Dec - Mar: Fri - Sun: 10am - 2:30pm (closed from Mon - Thu); Summer: 9am - 4:30pm (daily), Aug: Wed, Fri - Sun: 12:30pm - 4pm; Fall, Sept - Oct: 10am - 3:30pm (daily)
Price: 16 USD (Adult); 8.50 USD (child)
Get your adrenaline pumping and go spelunking
With the right preparation and knowledge, exploring caves and spelunking in New York can be a fun activity to do for you and your companion. Even more, some caving sites also made their paths easier to trek so it can be an activity that can be enjoyed with the whole family. Inspired by our list? Off you go to your next adventure!
Frequently asked questions about caving adventures in New York
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