I was dying to find Kuna Cave once I heard about it. We passed Kuna Cave Road a few times without seeing any signs telling us where the cave is.
We found out the official stance at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is that the public should be discouraged from visiting the site. However, it's public land, and I found some official documents online showing the location. Since I believe public land should be for the benefit of the public, not just a select few who happen to be "in the know" I've posted the relevant pages here. If you visit the caves, be sure to take care of it--don't litter or deface anything. In fact, clean it up if you find it littered. And of course, be careful and bring a flashlight!
I took my six kids (ages 7 to 13) into it with no problem. I plan to go back with a trash bag next time and make a family "volunteer" project out of it. Here is a Google satellite link showing the entrance to the cave. Zoom out and click over to map view to get your bearings. The best access seems to be where Poen Rd. dead-ends at Swan Falls Rd. Go through the unmarked opening in the Bureau of Land Management fence. Hang a sharp right and follow the fence until you see a faint trail heading west. Follow that until you reach the base of the hill (AKA Kuna Butte) and hang a left until you see the steel ladder sticking up out of the ground.
Don't let kids play at the mouth of the cave, of course. It's a twenty foot drop or more to the floor.
Technorati Tags:
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide commentswritten by Matt , September 02, 2007
The above directions are excellent if you feel like pounding a lot of [not quite] roads WAY before you actually need to leave the pavement. The simple directions are: leave Kuna heading south on Swan Falls Road until you get to Kuna Caves Road, take a right (West) and drive until you come to the house with Scotch Pines, and take a left (South) on the dirt road between the fields. At the Southern end of the East field, watch for a dirt road branching off to the left (East). The top of the ladder with multi-colored spraypaint will be straight ahead. Take some lightweight, bright lights (like 9-bulb leds) - the headsets are good too - if you plan on extended spelunking. Be safe and take your trash home with you, and if you've a mind take some extra trash home with you too. PS: It smells like a burned-out hotel with all the fires that have burned in there over the years, and it's VERY dusty, but it's COOL!
written by Kevin , September 03, 2007
I appreciate the input. The first time I tried to get to the cave, my family of eight plus a nephew trudged between two fields through the mud to get to the fence. Since no one from the BML would give me directions, I found the route I posted here by looking it up on Google Satellite. Yours sounds like a better one, so we'll try that next time. :-)
written by annie , June 10, 2008
for years, ours was the house that people came to for directions. (all hours of the day and night). thankfully, someone built a dairy across the road and now THEY get the door knocks. they have now put up a small sign on Kuna Cave Rd that tells you where to turn. (it is located 2 miles from the corner of Swan Falls and Kuna Cave Rd.) matt's instructions as best....going through the mud and sage brush is hazardous for your car...and you will probably end up knocking at my door to have us pull you out!
written by Randy , June 14, 2008
Thanks Matt, we are heading there now and hopefully your instructions will keep us from knocking on the house that doesn't like visitors. Ha Ha just kiddin.
written by Someoneinidaho , April 06, 2010
Drove down Kuna Cave Road and while passing the entrance to the dirt road to the caves, I noticed a 'Private Property' sign is now intact. Was disappointing.
written by Chet , May 03, 2010
The cave is on BLM land, but the road coming from the north is on private property. I was at the cave in Feb, and I didn't notice any sign. I've never seen the gate at the end shut either.
Another route in is turn west on Nicholson Rd from Swan Falls and go exactly 2 miles. You will come to a dirt road on the right. Turn and go north 1/2 mile, then turn right heading east. About 1/4 mile, take the next left going north and it will bring you right to it. This road had some ruts, but none worse than the other route.
Show/Hide comment form