White Nose "Bats"

White Nose, a cold temperature thriving fungus is decimating bat populations across the country. White nose was first discovered in 2006 in a New York cave. Since it's first discovery, the fungus has been found found in many caves in the east, midwest and canada. Even as far as Alaska, white nose is continuing to threatened endangered bat species. We urge all cavers, begninner and expert to respect the cave closures and refrain from caving until a solution can be found to stop the spread of this horrible Fungus. It is strongly suspected that we, the cavers and tourists, have been one of the main reason's for the spread of this disease. We applaud the states that are willing to risk revenue from caving tourism and have continued to keep their caves closed. We urge cavers and all vacationers to support these states by still visiting their other recreational areas. Last year we heard our favorite caving county and state as a whole had adopted a caving ban. We further studied what was happening and the spread of the fungus. As we were making the final arrangements to travel we learned that 2 nearby states that had bat populations affected severely by the Fungus had decided to reopen their caves. The reasoning was that since the populations of bats were already affected and white nose was already in the caves, it can't make things worse. We were very disappointed in the dollars offer common sense mentality of one state in particular. Didn't they think that by reopening infected caves to caving that that would help hasten the spread of the fungis to other states. Cavers generally have maybe three outfits they wear in the caves. Shoes maybe 2 pairs. This Fungus is very resilient. Although we couldn't cave we found that supporting one of the states that fully supports the caving ban and is truly looking out for the future of these beautiful areas was well worth having to stay above ground.

For more Information about White Nose Click Here

2010, as we make arrangements to travel we have learned that our favorite destination and the state as a whole is continuing to ban caving and although it is surrounded by states with infected caves, this state is still negative for white nose. Guess where we are going. Yes we are spending our vacation dollars there. Camping in a cave area with a healthy bat population is like heaven on earth. You can sit out around the camp fire free of those nasty bugs eating your skin. Bats are natures insecticides that need to be protected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Caving Tips do's and don'ts. | Photo Gallery1| Photo Gallery2| Photo Gallery3.  

Alabama

  • Cathedral Caverns State Park 637 Cave Road Woodville, ALABAMA CAVES 35776 (256) 728-8193
  • DeSoto Caverns Park DeSoto Caverns Parkway Childersburg, ALABAMA CAVES 35044 (800) 933-2283 http://www.DeSotoCavernsPark.com
  • Rickwood Caverns State Park 370 Rickwood Park Rd. Warrior, ALABAMA CAVES 35180-9803 (205) 647-9692
  • Sequoyah Caverns 1438 County Road 731 Valley Head, ALABAMA CAVES 35989 (800) 843-5098

Arkansas

  • Blanchard Springs Caverns Mountain View, ARKANSAS Caves 72560 (888) 757-2246
  • Bull Shoals Caverns Bull Shoals, ARKANSASCaves 72619 (800) 445-7177
  • http://www.bullshoalscaverns.com
  • Cosmic Caverns 6386 Hwy. 21 Berryville, ARKANSAS Caves 72616 (870) 749-2298
  • Hurricane River Cave Hwy. 65 Pindall, ARKANSAS Caves 72669 (800) 245-2282
  • Mystic Caverns Hwy. 7 South Harrison, ARKANSAS Caves 72601 (888) 743-1739
  • http://www.mysticcaverns.com
  • War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake 21494 Cavern Dr.Rogers, ARKANSAS CAVES 72756 (479) 789-2909
  • http://www.wareaglecavern.com

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Arizona

  • Colossal Cave Mountain Park 16711 E. Colossal Cave Rd. Vail, Arizona Caves 84641
  • Grand Canyon Caverns Peach Springs, Arizona Caves 86434 (520) 422-3223
  • Kartchner Caverns State Park 2980 State Hwy 90 Benson, Arizona Caves 85007 (520) 586-4100

California

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Colorado

 

Florida

  • Florida Caverns State Park 3345 Caverns Rd. Marianna, FLORIDA CAVES 32446 (850) 482-9598

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Hawaii has the deepest and longest (Lava Shoots) CAVES

  • Thurston Lava Tube Volcano National Park the Big Island, Hawaii CAVES
  • Kazumura Cave
  • Huehue Cave

    • Indiana

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    Iowa

    Kentucky

    • American Cave Museum & Hidden River Cave Horse Cave, Kentucky CAVES 42749 (502) 786-1466
    • Carter Caves Olive Hill Kentucky
    • Crystal Onyx Cave & Campground 8363 Prewitts Knob Rd.Cave City, KentuckyCAVES 42127 (270) 773-2359
    • Diamond Caverns 1900 Mammoth Cave Pkwy Park City, Kentucky CAVES 42160 (502) 749-2891
    • Kentucky Caverns Kentucky Down Under Horse Cave, Kentucky CAVES 42749-0189 (800) 762-2869
    • Lost River Cave 2818 Nashville Road Bowling Green, Kentucky CAVES 42101 (866) 274-2283
    • Mammoth Cave National Park Mammoth Cave, Kentucky CAVES 42259 (502) 758-2328

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    Minnesota CAVES

    • Mystery Cave 128 Preston, MN CAVES 55965 (507) 352-5111
    • Niagara Cave Box 444 Harmony, MN 55939 CAVES (800) 837-6606

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    Missouri CAVES

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     New Mexico CAVES

    • Polar Caves Park Plymouth, NH 03264 (800) 273-1886 New Mexico CAVES
    • Carlsbad Caverns 3226 National Parks Hwy Carlsbad, NM CAVES 88220 (505) 785-2232 Link to Carlsbad Caverns website
    • Ice Cave 12,000 Ice Caves Road Grants, NM CAVES 87020 (505) 783-4303

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    New York

     

    Ohio CAVES

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    Oregon CAVES

    Sea Lion Caves 91560 Hwy 101 Florence, OR CAVES 97439 (541) 547-3111

     

    Pennsylvania CAVES

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    South Dakota CAVES

    Tennessee CAVES

    • Bristol Caverns Bristol, TN 37621 (423) 878-2011
    • Cumberland Caverns 1437 Cumberland Caverns Rd. McMinnville, TN CAVES 37110 (931) 668-4396
    • Forbidden Caverns 455 Blowing Cave Rd. Sevierville, TN CAVES 37876 (423) 453-5972
    • Lost Sea 140 Lost Sea Road Sweetwater, TN CAVES 37874 (423) 337-6616
    • Raccoon Mountain Caverns 319 West Hills Drive Chatanooga, TN CAVES 37419 (800) 823-2267
    • Ruby Falls Rt. 4 Scenic Highway Chattanooga, TN CAVES 37409 (423) 821-2544
    • Tuckaleechee Caverns 825 Cavern Rd. Townsend, TN CAVES 37882 (865) 448-2274

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    Texas CAVES

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    Virginia CAVES

    • Endless Caverns New Market, VA CAVES 22844 (540) 896-2283
    • Grand Caverns Grottoes, VA CAVES 24441 (540) 249-5705
    • Luray Caverns Luray, VA CAVES 22835 (540) 743-6551
    • Shenandoah Caverns 261 Caverns Rd. Shenandoah Caverns, VA CAVES 22847 (540) 477-3115

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    West VirginiaCAVES

     

    Wisconsin