Caving in St. George, UT
Caving in the St. George, Utah, area offers a glimpse into a hidden underground world beneath the desert landscape. While the region doesn’t feature extensive cavern systems, adventurous explorers can discover intriguing formations at sites like Bloomington Cave and the lava tubes in Snow Canyon State Park.
Bloomington Cave is the largest known cave in southwestern Utah and provides a more challenging, “wild” caving experience, with its complex, three-dimensional passages requiring navigation skill, proper equipment, and a permit. In contrast, the lava tubes at Snow Canyon serve as a beginner-friendly introduction, allowing visitors to traverse short, naturally formed tunnels created by ancient volcanic activity.
Lava Tubes in Snow Canyon State Park
While not extensive caving systems, these short lava tube tunnels formed from ancient volcanic flows offer a beginner-friendly taste of cave exploration. They involve walking or crouching with a flashlight through dark, naturally formed rock tubes. The tubes are fairly accessible, making them a family-friendly introduction to the underground world.
Bloomington Cave
Located roughly 15 miles west of St. George, this limestone cave is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It’s the largest known cave in southwestern Utah and offers a challenging, “wild” caving experience. The cave’s passages form a three-dimensional maze, requiring careful navigation, crawling, and some scrambling.
No special equipment is installed inside, so visitors must bring their own headlamps, helmets, and appropriate gear. Permits are required and can be obtained from the St. George BLM Field Office. As a wild cave, Bloomington Cave is recommended for more experienced cavers or those prepared for a true underground adventure.