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| Dr William Elliott, MDC | | Properly equipped caver examines some rimstone dams. |
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Three caves in the park are open to cavers on a permit basis, Bluff Cave, Lost Man Cave and Branson Cave. Experienced cavers may submit a request and if granted will be given the combination or key to the cave in question. Permits are only available during the summer months. Permit requests may be downloaded and mailed back to the park. Click on "Info" for a cave description.
These are not caves for casual visitors! If you would like to tour a cave with a guide, please visit our Round Spring Cave during the summer months for an underground adventure.
Caving is at your own risk, and all cavers are responsible for insuring that the park and county sheriff's office is notified by a responsible individual if you are overdue. The National Park Service does not accept responsibility for your safety. Cave Safety Tips
As all responsible cavers know, caves are delicate environments. Please keep the following rules in mind:
OZARK NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAYS
CLOSED AND RESTRICTED CAVE USE RULES AND REGULATIONS
REG REGULATIONS
§ Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing from its natural state non-fossilized and fossilized paleontological specimens, cultural or archeological resources or the parts of any of these is prohibited. {36 CFR 2.1a.1.iii}
§ Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing from its natural state a mineral resource or cave formation (speleothems) or parts of any of these is prohibited. {36 CFR 2.1a.1.iv}
§ Tossing, throwing, or rolling rocks or other items inside caves or caverns is prohibited. {36 CFR 2.1a.3}
§ Smoking is prohibited within all caves administered by the National Park Service. {36 CFR 2.21b} Transportation and/or use of tobacco products in a cave is prohibited.
§ Transportation and/or use of alcoholic beverages before or during the cave trip is prohibited.
§ Touching, harming, or otherwise harassing the life forms in the cave is prohibited.
§ Camping is prohibited in a cave.
§ Pets are prohibited from being in a permit cave.
§ Entry into a restricted or closed cave without a valid permit for the date of entry in possession of the trip leader is prohibited.
§ Transporting and/or using glass containers within fifty feet of any cave, stream, or trail administered by Ozark National Scenic Riverways is prohibited.
§ Gas lanterns, gas stoves, and other camping appliances are prohibited in a cave. (This does not preclude the use of carbide lamps as a primary light source.)
§ Placing permanent climbing aids is prohibited. Technical climbing in or around cave entrances is prohibited.
§ Swimming or wading in spring branches is prohibited.
RULES
o The caving group must consist of at least three, but no more than eight members including the trip leader. A group must stay together.
o Only one permit (group) is allowed in a cave each day, unless permit otherwise states.
o Each caving group must have a first aid kit in their possession.
o Each member of the caving group must wear a hardhat or helmet while traversing a cave, unless the permit otherwise states.
o Each member of the caving group must carry at least 3 reliable, independent, electric light sources, preferably with the primary light source helmet-mounted.
o Each member of the caving group must carry adequate food and/or water for the expected duration of the trip.
o Each member of the caving group must wear sturdy footwear and clothing which is of a type adequate for this type of activity. Shorts, sandals or tennis shoes are not permitted.
o Each member of the caving group must provide some means to contain their litter, feces, and urine and must transport such out of the cave for proper disposal.
o No route marking systems are to be used except for an occasional piece of surveyors’ flagging or some equivalent marker, with the date printed on it, and to be picked up as the group exits the cave. Route marking by placing arrows on the floor or walls or other surface is strictly prohibited. Route marking by stringing a line through the cave is prohibited.
o Some areas of a cave may be marked as closed or restricted. Please stay out of these areas.
o When entering and exiting a gated cave, make sure to lock the gate behind you. Use clean hands to operate the lock. To close, dial the lock to a number different from that of the combination and close.
o A trip report must be completed and returned to Ozark National Scenic Riverways within seven days after the trip date, even if the trip was cancelled.
o Publishing or publicizing the location of a cave is forbidden.
o Failure to follow the above regulations may result in loss of future permit privileges. The trip leader is responsible for the actions of the members of the group.
Remember
Cave features are non-renewable resources; once damaged, they will not “grow” back. Practice low-impact caving by staying on well-traveled routes. Travel slowly, with care, so as to not overly impact the cave environment or life. Do not touch cave life or cave speleothems (stalactites, stalagmites, etc.).
Revised 4/10/2004, 6/04/2004, and 4/15/05
Cave Page
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