Niter Ice Cave, Ice cave in Grace, Idaho.
Niter Ice Cave is an ice cave that forms as a long winding lava tube about 1,200 feet (365 meters) deep, with ceiling heights varying between 15 and 25 feet (4.5 to 7.5 meters). The floor remains icy and wet throughout the year, with water seeping from above and creating layered ice formations on the walls and ground.
Early settlers in southeastern Idaho used this natural formation as a storage facility for preserving food supplies and collecting ice throughout all seasons. The constant cold made it a valuable resource before modern refrigeration became available.
Visitors have left their marks inside the cave for over a century, with historical inscriptions and drawings documenting human presence through different eras. These markings show how people from various times have visited and recorded their passage through the space.
The cave entrance is equipped with handrails, but bring a flashlight and warm clothing since it stays cold inside year-round. The paths are wet and slippery, so wear sturdy shoes and move carefully to avoid falls.
The cave sits in a flat field three miles south of Grace and maintains cold temperatures throughout the year despite being above ground. Visiting feels like stepping into a frozen pocket of the landscape that seems out of place in the rural farmland setting.
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