Paradise Ice Caves

Paradise Ice Caves were a network of tunnels carved within Mount Rainier's Paradise Glacier, featuring walls and ceilings of blue ice that reflected light in stunning ways. These interconnected passages created a unique underground landscape shaped entirely by glacial movement and meltwater flow.

The caves formed over thousands of years through the constant melting and flow of water within the glacier. They collapsed and became inaccessible in the early 1990s as Mount Rainier's Paradise Glacier retreated at an accelerating rate.

The caves attracted numerous scientists and explorers who contributed to the understanding of glacial formations through extensive research and documentation.

These caves no longer exist and cannot be visited today due to ongoing glacier retreat. However, visitors to Mount Rainier can still explore the Paradise area and view the remnants of the glacier from designated trails and viewpoints.

In 1978, these caves held the record as the world's longest documented glacier cave system, with about 13 kilometers of surveyed passages. This remarkable size made them a major draw for glaciologists and cave researchers from around the globe.

Location: Washington

GPS coordinates: 46.82000,-121.72000

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:01