NSS Nature Preserves

The NSS owns 19 cave preserves and manages 4 preserves owned by others through a Memo of Understanding. Learn more about individual preserves below.

Bat 📷 Stephen Eginoire
Bat 📷 Stephen Eginoire
Stephen Eginoire

Protecting The Underground

The NSS began over 80 years ago as a collective of individuals interested in caves and caving. From the beginning, we recognized the need to protect the fragile and timeless environments above and below ground. Conservation has always been a prime tenet of the NSS's foundations.

Today we fulfill that mission by managing 24 preserves. These unique underground places are protected for future generations.

Each preserve has its own management plan that lays out policies and access for recreation or scientific research. Contact the preserve manager for a copy of the detailed management plan.

Please Note:

White-nose syndrome is currently affecting bat populations. Learn more about WNS here.

Geocaches are not allowed on NSS Preserves.

Map of Preserves