River Cave

River Cave is located in the Cave River Valley Natural Area managed by Spring Mill State Park. The cave serves as an important and significant winter bat hibernaculum. Entering the cave during the official closure period is a federal crime with significant penalties. Authorized access to the cave is permitted May 1 to August 31. The majority of the cave is easy walking with ankle to knee-deep water. However, the entrance section of the cave has deep water, requiring special considerations to enter. The cave can flood, so do not enter during high flow, or when there is a chance of significant rain.

WNS-related requirements:

• Proper WNS decontamination protocols must be followed before and after the cave trip. Both the DNR and IKC will spot check for compliance and groups not following proper procedures will be denied access and suspended from future trips.
• After the trip, change out of your caving clothes discreetly away from your vehicle. If impractical, at a minimum remove as much outer clothing as possible before entering your vehicle to change. Bag and seal everything so as to not contaminate the interior or trunk of your vehicle.
• Properly follow the WNS decontamination protocols to clean your equipment, boots, and clothes when you get home.

Cave-specific requirements:

• The cave can flood and should not be entered after heavy rains or if there is a forecast for thunderstorms (the Park reserves the right to deny access to any group on the day of the trip, based upon current or potential weather conditions).
• The access road gate to Cave River Valley will typically be locked. Assuming that is the case, park to the side of the entrance road. Do not park on the county road and do not block the gate.
• Walk from the parking area to the cave following the road down into the valley, one of the trails down into the valley, or the trail that skirts the south end of the valley.
• To navigate the deep water near the entrance, a canoe, kayak, or small raft (less than 4 feet wide) is strongly recommended. Regardless, each visitor should wear a personal flotation device (PFD).

General requirements:

• All group participants must be at least 16 years old. However, the IKC Access Coordinator has the discretion to approve exceptions for younger experienced participants.
• Minimum group size is three, maximum is fifteen.
• All group members must have a proper helmet with chin strap, water-proof helmet-mounted light (and backups), adequate foot wear, and clothing for a 55-degree cave.
• Please be discreet while on the surface in your caving attire, so as to not encourage other park visitors to enter the caves. If asked by someone, simply say you have authorization from the park to go in the cave.
• In case of emergency, call 911 and request assistance from the Washington County Sheriff or DNR Conservation Officer.

Access requirements:

• The trip leader should contact the cave's Access Coordinator [Dave Everton, DEverton@iu.edu, 812.272.2300] to discuss the group's experience level and other qualifications. This contact should typically be at least several weeks in advance of the proposed trip.
• Each trip participant must complete the on-line WNS Training Module, print out the form at the end, read and sign the WNS Training Acknowledgement section, and the DNR Caving Permit section of the form. Preferably, the trip leader will then collect and mail/e-mail copies of the forms to the Coordinator. All documents must be received by the deadline date given to the trip coordinator by the Interim Access Coordinator. Anyone not meeting the deadline may forfeit their opportunity to participate.
• Once all the forms have been received, the Access Coordinator will send back a dated Trip Authorization/Parking Placard to the trip leader and also send a trip authorization notice to the park staff.
• The trip leader will print out a Trip Authorization/Parking Placard for each vehicle, which will be displayed on the vehicle's dash while in the cave, so Park staff will know you are an authorized group.