Niter Ice Cave | Grace Idaho

Caving Niter Ice Cave - Grace Idaho Caving Niter Ice Cave

Grace Idaho

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Roadside Attraction
LENGTH: 1+ hours

Sun

Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 40, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

40 | 27

Mon

Rain before 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 39. South southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

39 | 32

Tue

A chance of rain and snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

39 | 24

Wed

A chance of snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

34 | 24

Thu

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

34 | 20

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any
GEAR: Headlamps
WATER: None

Sun

Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 40, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

40 | 27

Mon

Rain before 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 39. South southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

39 | 32

Tue

A chance of rain and snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

39 | 24

Wed

A chance of snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

34 | 24

Thu

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

34 | 20

View Full Weather Details
The hand rail leading into the cave.

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

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

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!

Maps

Ice Cave Rd Turnoff

12T 440018mE 4709236mN

N42° 31' 59" W111° 43' 49"
Niter Ice Cave

12T 440344mE 4709207mN

N42° 31' 59" W111° 43' 35"

Comments

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