Caving Niter Ice Cave

Grace Idaho

Overview

( Rated 4.0 / 1 Ratings )

3 Todo Lists / 0 Ticks

RATING: Easy Roadside Attraction

LENGTH: 1+ hours

Thu

70 | 43

Fri

69 | 47

Sat

62 | 40

Sun

65 | 39

Mon

62 | 42

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SEASON: Any

GEAR: Headlamps

WATER: None

Thu

70 | 43

Fri

69 | 47

Sat

62 | 40

Sun

65 | 39

Mon

62 | 42

View Full Weather Details

cave

family friendly

beginner

access: 2wd

The hand rail leading into the cave.

Niter Ice Cave most certainly has been seen as an interesting place and used for various purposes as long as people have settled in the area.It is said John A. Dalton and his family used the cave as an early refuge from unfriendly Native Americans in the area, and the cave was certainly utilized by early settlers as a place to store food and gather ice year around.

Now, Niter Ice Cave is a very popular roadside attraction today. The cave, a short distance off of State Road 34 a few miles from Grace Id is a must stop for families or those with a penchant for spelunking. Formed from lava flows eons ago, the cave is a lava tube in the middle of a flat field.

The entrance has a bit of graffiti that has accumulated over the years, and rumor has it the cave was used to hold dances back in the day.

The entrance to Niter Ice Cave

Getting There

From Grace, ID, go south on ID-34 for about 3 miles to Ice Cave Road on the left. Take Ice Cave Road about 0.2 miles to the obvious parking area on the left.

Niter Ice Cave

Route

From the parking area, the path leads down and into the entrance of the cave.

Once in the cave, it is a short but interesting 10-15 minute wander to the very back and terminus of the cave. The cave is large without branching passages, so easy to navigate.

Note: A walkway and handrails at the entrance make this a suitable adventure for most families, though be sure to bring several good light sources. If you were at the back of the cave and lost all light, it would be difficult to get back out!