Studying, exploring, and protecting caves

Since 1941 the NSS has been at the forefront of cave science, conservation, and exploration. Join our 8,000+ member community and come caving.

ABOUT THE NSS
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📷 Stephen Eginoire
Minerals 2 - Dave Bunnell - A passage littered with fallen crusts in a newly discovered lava tube in Hawaii

Learn about stalagmites, stalactites, & cave formations!

Since the 90's, The Virtual Cave has provided a definitive visual reference for all things found in caves. Cave formations, also known as speleothems, can take many forms besides the familiar stalagmites and stalactites. See the amazing variety and learn the science behind how speleothems take shape.

See The Virtual Cave

Latest news

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2023 NCKMS CALL FOR SPONSORS!

Classic Hellhole 📷 Ryan Maurer

2023 NSS Award Winners

Skylight 5 - Dave Bunnell

Sunday, June 25, 2023: Organizer Announcement – Programs and Decals

Campground Directly Overhead by Tommy Carpenter 2022 OTR

Everything You Need to Know BEFORE Convention

Neversink - Brian Masney

The Case for an NSS Executive Director

Rob Wardell ferries packs down the last of three vertical drops in the entrance series of McClung Cave.

Get the 2023 NSS Convention Program!

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VTC Board and Curriculum Committee Position Announcement

Hellhole Ecstasy Ave Formations 📷 Brian Masney

Call for Presenters | 2023 NSS Convention Elkins, WV, June 26–30, 2023

Many Cave Crickets on Ceiling 📷 Rick Olsen

Meet the 2023 USA Cave Animal of the Year: Ceuthophilus Cave Crickets!

Out of the Cave 📷 Kasia Biernacka

2023 NSS Board of Governors Election Update

Huatla 📷 Steve Eginoire
Huatla 📷 Steve Eginoire

Come caving with us!

Our 250 local chapters - known as Grottos - provide the perfect opportunity to start caving. Find your Grotto and start caving.

Upcoming events

Sep
29

2023 NSS Western Regional

Sonora, CA/ San Francisco Bay Chapter
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Oct
5

Tag Fall Cave-In

Menlo, GA/ Dogwood City Grotto
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Nov
6

2023 National Cave & Karst Management Symposium

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1 Comment

  1. Spelunking in the Midwest - Urban Plains on May 15, 2023 at 4:09 pm

    […] state’s hillcountry. Common visitors to the caves range from summer camp kids to members of the National Speleological Society […]