General Cave Permit Information

Cave Permit Information for:
Individuals, Grottos and College Outing Clubs

Notes:

Special rules apply to all minors. Managers must be notified if there are minors in the group.
All caves require that you follow standard safe and conservation minded caving practices.
The National Speleological Society, Inc. (NSS) and the Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (NCC) are completely separate 501(c)(3) organizations. Both are staffed by volunteers. Neither charge a fee for use of their properties but are happy to receive donations at the addresses listed below. We have combined this information to help make your visits to these caves easier.
Contact your local caving club through caves.org if you are looking for a guide as they may be able to help you.
A PDF version of this page can be found here.

Revised: 9/17/2006

Caves owned by the Northeastern Cave Conservancy (NCC)

1	Knox Cave Minimum of 3 in party Window sheet for parking - contact property manager for sheet
2	Crossbones Cave Minimum of 3 in party Window sheet for parking Read information sheet Date specific release form (sign in sheet) Vertical equipment and knowledge Key needed
3	Ella Armstrong Minimum of 3 in party Park at Knox and put a piece of paper with the word "ELLA" in the window Vertical equipment and knowledge Open caving, no permits needed
4	Onesquethaw Cave Minimum of 3 in party Window sheet for parking Read information sheet Date specific release form (sign in sheet)
5	Sellecks, Levys, Cave 575 Minimum of 3 in party Vertical equipment and knowledge Open caving, no permits needed Park in our parking area
6	Clarksville Cave Minimum of 3 in party Open caving, no permits needed See kiosk for further details

Caves Owned by the National Speleological Society (NSS)

Note: No cave for pay is allowed in NSS owned caves. Cave for pay means those groups where a leader receives payment for activities related solely to the cave trip. This may include but is not limited to, rental of cave equipment, transportation to the cave, and guide services. If you have questions, please contact a manager.

Schoharie Caverns

Requires a general waiver once every 2 years
Camping and cabin use by permission from Peter Teresco
Minimum of 3 in party
Gate combination needed to drive cars onto property
Open caving, no permits needed

McFails Cave, Hanors/Disappointment Caves

Requires a general waiver once every 2 years
Minimum of 4 in party
Window sheet for parking
Read information sheet
McFails leadership (see preserve manager for details)
Date specific release form (sign in sheet)
Permission must be given by one of the management team

Gage Caverns, Greens Cave, Keyhole Cave

Requires a general waiver once every 2 years
Minimum of 3 in party
Read information sheet
Date specific release form (sign in sheet)
Belay equipment and ability to use it.
No camping. Cabin use by permission only.
For Keyhole Cave, there is a leadership requirement.

Caves Owned by the US Cave Conservancy

1	Benson's Cave Minimum of 4 in trip Window sheet for parking Read information sheet Date specific release form (sign in sheet) Vertical skills and equipment Key to cave