Recreation Region: Blanco Ranger District

Spring Cave TH #1834

What is White-Nose Syndrome?

White-nose syndrome is considered one of the worst wildlife diseases in modern times. It is caused by a fungus, and people can unknowingly spread the disease...

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Planning to visit a cave on the White River National Forest? Start here!

All known cave hibernacula are closed during the winter hibernation period.
Registration is required to access caves that are open.
Do not use clothing or equipment previously used at an infected or suspected site. View a map that shows where White-nose syndrome has spread
Decontamination procedures following US Fish and Wildlife Service protocols are required by everyone to enter any and all caves.
Visit the USFS Rocky Mountain Region page for detailed information

The Spring Cave Trail crosses the South Fork of the White River by footbridge near the South Fork Campground. The trail then travels through a stand of blue spruce, then aspen and scrub oak as it climbs toward Spring Cave. The trail makes several switchbacks before leveling out near the mouth of the cave.

General Information

Review the Forest Order for specific cave closure dates

Registration is required to access caves that are open. The registration system is designed to prevent authorizing access to caves that are closed based on the White-Nose Syndrome Environmental Analysis decisions or other considerations.

The cave registration system involves submitting basic personal information (name, email address, zip code) and information about the cave trip (date, cave name, national forest, number of participants) online. Once the information is processed, an approved registration form will be provided to the person making the request (the “Trip Leader”).
The Trip Leader is required to print and sign a copy of the approved registration form, and have each trip participant sign the form.
To register, complete and save the Cave Registration Form as a pdf
Attach the completed registration form to an email at this address: SM.FS.r2wns@usda.gov.

Forest Service staff will review requests. Authorized registration forms are generally processed and returned to the applicant

Getting There

Elevation

8012'

Directions

The Spring Cave Trail is located 29 miles east of Meeker, CO. From Meeker, take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right (east) on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 18 miles. Turn south and Rio Blanco County Road 10 for 2 miles, jog north .25 miles, then continue east for 10 miles to the South Fork Campground and trailhead. Cross the bridge at the campground, and follow the Spring Cave Trail .6 miles to the cave.