1. About the information on this website

The Oregon High Desert Grotto is a volunteer-run caving club. The articles, closure lists, and guides on this website are shared for education and general interest. They may be incomplete or out of date, and they are not a substitute for training, experience, or current information from the agency or landowner that manages a cave.

Cave closures change. Always check with the Deschutes National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management, or the landowner before you go. Our Cave Access page is a starting point, not the final word.

2. Caving is dangerous

Caving carries real risk of serious injury or death. Hazards include falls, loose rock and breakdown, ice, cold and hypothermia, getting lost, getting stuck, bad air, and long distances from help with no cell service.

Never cave alone. Go with experienced cavers.
Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
Wear a helmet and carry at least three independent sources of light.
Bring water, food, and warm layers, even on short trips.
Know your limits, and turn back when conditions or the group call for it.
Vertical caves require training in single-rope technique and proper equipment.

3. Respect closures and private property

Many caves close seasonally to protect hibernating and nursing bats, and some are closed year-round. Others are on private land. Do not enter a closed cave, and do not enter private property without the owner’s permission.

4. Protect caves and wildlife

Caves and their contents are protected by federal and state law, including the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing behind, and kill nothing.

Do not touch or break formations. Lava formations do not grow back.
Stay on established paths and avoid trampling floors and sediments.
Leave bats alone. If you find bats, quietly leave the area.
Clean your gear between caves to help stop the spread of white-nose syndrome. See our Bats of Central Oregon page.

5. Cave locations

We do not publish the locations of sensitive caves. Please do not post cave coordinates or directions publicly, including on social media.

6. Grotto trips

Grotto trips are for members. Everyone on a trip must sign a liability release before going underground and must follow the trip leader’s instructions. To join, see our membership page.

7. No warranty and limitation of liability

This website and its content are provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind. You are responsible for your own safety. To the fullest extent allowed by law, the Oregon High Desert Grotto, the National Speleological Society, and their officers, members, and volunteers are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage that results from using this website or from visiting any cave mentioned on it.

8. Links to other websites

We link to other websites for your convenience. We do not control them and are not responsible for their content.

9. Photos and content

Photos on this website belong to the photographers who took them, and articles to their authors. Please do not copy or reuse them without permission.

10. Questions

If you have questions about this page, please contact us through our contact form.

Caving Safety and Terms of Use