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

Thu Snow before 3pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 46. West southwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
46° | 33°
Fri A chance of snow before noon, then snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
45° | 28°
Sat A slight chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
52° | 26°
Sun A chance of rain and snow before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
51° | 34°
Mon A slight chance of rain and snow before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
51° | 32°
View Full Forecast
RATING: Easy Roadside Attraction
LENGTH: 1+ hours
SEASON: Any
GEAR: Headlamps
WATER: None
Thu Snow before 3pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 46. West southwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
46° | 33°
Fri A chance of snow before noon, then snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
45° | 28°
Sat A slight chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
52° | 26°
Sun A chance of rain and snow before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
51° | 34°
Mon A slight chance of rain and snow before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
51° | 32°
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