Accessibility Tools

Visiting an SCCi Preserve

Responsible recreational caving is a core tenant of SCCi's mission. We require a permit for all visitors to an SCCi preserve regardless of activity. The permitting system allows us to gather data about useage and make adjustments to daily preserve and cave limits as part of our stewardship mandate. Permits are requested online. There is no charge for permits; however, donations are gladly accepted. To request a permit, click on the permit  icon on the specific preserve below.

 

If you require information about other permit types such as research, special use, and media permits, visit http://permits.scci.org.

 

Before requesting a permit, please read and familiarize yourself with the information at these links:

Leave No Trace Principles

Laws Protecting Caves

SCCi takes cave and karst land conservation seriously. We have and will prosecute violators.

 

Guide to Preserve Symbols

p permits

  LINK TO THE ONLINE PERMITTING SITE

Same Day Permits SAME DAY PERMITS: Some preserve has same-day issued permits if space is available. Permits are issued automatically when all releases have been signed. All other permits require a minimum of  48 hours to review once all releases have been signed.

Surface Only Permits HIKING: Hiking permits are surface only permits which do not allow entry into caves but affords hikers and nature lovers an opportunity to explore above ground. These permits have different group size requirements than caving permits. 

Camping CAMPING: Some preserve offers primitive camping in designated areas. Camping in caves is strictly prohibited. All waste (human and otherwise) must be carried out of campsites and disposed of properly. 

horizontal HORIZONTAL CAVING: Caves that do not require rope to enter or traverse.

vertical caving

 VERTICAL CAVING: Caves that require descending and ascending rope using appropriate gear and rope techniques.

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State
Anderson Cave Preserve
Jefferson County, Alabama
Horizontal Caving
Balcony Sink Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits
Charles B Henson Preserve at Johnsons Crook
Dade County, Georgia
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping
Cyclops Cave Preserve
Russell County/Virginia
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving
Elroy and Marilyn Daleo Cave Preserve
Hart County, Kentucky
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping
Fox Mountain Cave Preserve
Dade County, Georgia
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping Same Day Permits Available
Frenchman Knob Cave Preserve
Hart County, Kentucky
Vertical Caving Primitive Camping
Fricks Cave Preserve
Walker County, Georgia
Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping
Glove Pit Cave Preserve
Madison County, Alabama
Vertical Caving Same Day Permits Available
Gourdneck Cave Preserve
Marion County, Tennessee
Vertical Caving Same Day Permits Available
Hollow Ridge Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Florida
Horizontal Caving
Holly Creek Cave Preserve
Wayne County, Tennessee
Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits
Horse Skull Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Vertical Caving Same Day Permits Available
Howards Waterfall Cave Preserve
Dade County, Georgia
Horizontal Caving Same Day Permits Available
Hugden Cave
Hamilton County, Tennessee
Horizontal Caving Same Day Permits Available
Jennings Cave Preserve
Marion County, Florida
Vertical Caving
John T Dolberry Tumbling Rock Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Horizontal Caving Primitive Camping Same Day Permits Available
Kay Hill Deen Fern Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping
Kennamer Cave Preserve
Jackson County Alabama
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping Same Day Permits Available
Limrock Blowing Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Horizontal Caving Same Day Permits Available
Lobelia Saltpeter Cave Preserve
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Horizontal Caving Surface Only Permits Same Day Permits Available
Logsdon Cave Preserve
Hart County, Kentucky
Vertical Caving Primitive Camping
Mayapple - Steve and Nancy Attaway Preserve
Grundy County, Tennessee
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving
Moody Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Horizontal Caving Same Day Permits Available
Neversink Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Same Day Permits Available
Rattling Cave Preserve
Cocke County, Tennessee
Vertical Caving
Run To The Mill Cave Preserve
Cumberland County, Tennessee
Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping
Salamander Preserve
Giles County/Virginia
Vertical Caving
Sinkhole-Kelly Cove Preserve
Marion County, Tennessee
Vertical Caving
Sinking Cove Cave Preserve
Franklin County, Tennessee
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping
Snail Shell Cave Preserve
Rutherford County, Tennessee
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping
South Pittsburg Pit Preserve
Marion County, Tennessee
Vertical Caving Primitive Camping Same Day Permits Available
Stephens Gap Callahan Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Horizontal Caving Vertical Caving Same Day Permits Available
Steward Spring Cave Preserve
DeKalb, Alabama
Horizontal Caving
Valhalla Cave Preserve
Jackson County, Alabama
Vertical Caving Surface Only Permits Primitive Camping
Varnedoe Cave Preserve
Madison County, Alabama
Vertical Caving
Wolf River Cave Preserve
Fentress County, Tennessee
Horizontal Caving