South Ice Cave


Useful Information

Location: From Bend Hwy 97 to La Pine, turn east on Finley Butte Road (Forest Road 22), 38 km to the cave.
Open: MAY to 14-OCT no restrictions.
15-OCT to APR closed for bat protection.
[2011]
Fee: free.
[2011]
Classification: Speleologylava tube
Light: bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours: self guided
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: U.S. Forest Service, Deschutes National Forest, 1001 SW Emkay Drive, Bend, OR 97702, Tel: +1-541-383-4785.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History


Description

South Ice Cave is a lava tube located in Deschutes National Forest, which may be freely visited. It is not developed but not very difficult to visit. Bring appropriate clothes, especially warm, sturdy boots, a helmet if available and enough lamps.

The cave includes a small ice pond and ends at an ice plug, hence the name Ice cave. The cold air in winter flows down into the cave and gets trapped there, so the cave is rather cold all the year. However, spring is the best time to see ice formations, as melting water from the surface flows into the still very cold cave and freezes there.