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

Tue Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. South southeast wind 12 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
71° | 45°
Wed Rain showers likely before noon, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
48° | 43°
Thu Rain and snow before 9am, then rain and snow between 9am and noon, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
46° | 33°
Fri A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
49° | 30°
Sat A slight chance of snow before 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
51° | 28°
View Full Forecast
RATING: Easy Roadside Attraction
LENGTH: 1+ hours
SEASON: Any
GEAR: Headlamps
WATER: None
Tue Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. South southeast wind 12 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
71° | 45°
Wed Rain showers likely before noon, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
48° | 43°
Thu Rain and snow before 9am, then rain and snow between 9am and noon, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
46° | 33°
Fri A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
49° | 30°
Sat A slight chance of snow before 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
51° | 28°
View Full Forecast
cavefamily friendlybeginneraccess: 2wd
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 Description

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!

Photos

Maps

Ice Cave Rd Turnoff
12T 440018E 4709236N 42°31'59"N 111°43'49"W
Niter Ice Cave
12T 440344E 4709207N 42°31'59"N 111°43'35"W

Comments