Niter Ice Cave |

Grace Idaho

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Caving Niter Ice Cave - Grace Idaho Caving Niter Ice Cave

Grace Idaho

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Roadside Attraction
LENGTH: 1+ hours

Mon

Showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 57, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 9 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

57 | 36

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 8 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

49 | 27

Wed

A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

45 | 29

Thu

A slight chance of snow between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

51 | 27

Fri

A slight chance of rain after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

56 | 34

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any
GEAR: Headlamps
WATER: None

Mon

Showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 57, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 9 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

57 | 36

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 8 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

49 | 27

Wed

A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

45 | 29

Thu

A slight chance of snow between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

51 | 27

Fri

A slight chance of rain after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

56 | 34

View Full Weather Details
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

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!

Maps

Ice Cave Rd Turnoff

12T 440018mE 4709236mN

N42° 31' 59" W111° 43' 49"
Niter Ice Cave

12T 440344mE 4709207mN

N42° 31' 59" W111° 43' 35"

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