This guided underground adventure introduces you to the unique geology, passages, and formations of Clarksville Cave. After a thorough safety briefing and gear fit, we enter the cave and begin navigating wide chambers and narrow crawlways at a steady, supportive pace. Expect hands-on exploration that may include stooping, kneeling, crawling, and moving through uneven, rocky surfaces. Guides highlight cave features, safe movement techniques, and the cave’s natural history as you explore.
Highlights
Guided entry into one of the region’s most accessible wild caves.
Hands-on exploration of chambers, crawlways, and natural rock formations.
Instruction on basic caving skills, movement techniques, and underground safety.
Small-group pace that balances discovery, learning, and comfort for all experience levels.
Who This Trip Is For
Ideal for curious adventurers ages 12+ who are comfortable with enclosed spaces and able to crawl or maneuver over uneven terrain. No prior caving experience is required—just a sense of adventure, a moderate fitness level, and readiness for physical movement in tight spaces.
Location & Route
Where: Clarksville Cave, New York, located near the Capital Region and known for its beginner-friendly wild-caving terrain. Route: A guided loop through a combination of larger chambers and narrower passage sections selected for safety, accessibility, and group experience level. Pace & Timing: Steady, deliberate progress with pauses for instruction, orientation, and exploration of key cave features.
Additional information regarding this experience
What's Included?
Caving Permit
Caving guides
Headlamp and two additional sources of light
Helmet
Kneepads
Garbage bags for dirty clothes
What to Bring
DRESS: Caving involves lots of crawling around on dirty, rough, damp surfaces. Plan on getting dirty. Raincoat and rain pants are a good idea. Sturdy shoes with good traction are also important. The cave is 52 degrees so keep that in mind with appropriate layers.
Gloves to keep hands warm and minimize cuts and scrapes. Gardening or thick rubber gloves are generally adequate.
A large, plastic trash or leaf bag, carried for quick retrieval. Wearing it (make a hole for you head or face) can help prevent hypothermia, or keep you dry
Food to eat before and after entering cave. No food is allowed in the cave.
Drinking water
An extra layer of clothing, such as a long underwear top or sweater, for long periods of inactivity.
CHANGE OF CLOTHES – after the caving experience you will want to have a change of clothes that are warm and dry for the ride home.
Other Notes:
All surfaces inside are extremely slippery and will be wet.
If a guest’s body structure does not allow them to comfortably fit through the cave enterance, they cannot safely join this experience.
The Pictograph Room is offered to adults only, visiting this area is a “challenge by choice” option for adult guests only.
May through September. Call to book a private group 10a-3p
Waiver:
Each participant, or their guardian, must sign a waiver to participate in an Adventure East experience. Following payment of your online booking, your reservation confirmation will include a link to e-sign the waiver. Due to insurance requirements, we are unable to accommodate guests who do not sign a waiver.
