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All the United States New Mexico Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano
AO Edited

Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano

A frozen oasis lies beneath the scorching New Mexico desert.

Grants, New Mexico

Added By
Mike Walker
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Entrance to the cave.   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance to the cave.   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
Ice lake.   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
Visitor center and gift shop.   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
  icatsstaci / Atlas Obscura User
  icatsstaci / Atlas Obscura User
  icatsstaci / Atlas Obscura User
Steps descending into ice cave.   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Bandera Volcano Ice Cave, also known as the Zuni Cave, is a lava tube cave formed by the nearby Bandera volcano more than 3,000 years ago. The landscape surrounding the cave bears the scars of its volcanic past. As such, it is affectionately known as New Mexico’s “Land of Fire and Ice.”

The cave’s shape and shade ensure the temperature never rises above 31 degrees Fahrenheit. The green color of the ice comes from arctic algae, which feed off the moisture of the ice and the narrow rays of sunlight that find their way inside the lava tube. The Zuni mined the ice for their own purposes, as did Spanish and American settlers.

As visitors descend the steps into the ice cave, the temperature drops rapidly to a comfortably cool temperature. Just like the icy lake within, time seems to stand still. The volcanic rock that insulates the cave also deafens the noise of the world above. 

Related Tags

Caves Geology Nature Volcanoes

Know Before You Go

The cave is privately owned and operated. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children. The admission fee also grants access to the Bandera volcano crater and a small museum. The loop trail, which covers both the volcano and the ice cave, is exposed to the sun and is covered in sharp volcanic rock. Make sure you bring water, sun protection, and closed-toed shoes to mitigate these issues.

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mikewalker

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icecaves, icatsstaci

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  • icatsstaci

Published

September 1, 2021

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Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano
12000 Ice Cave Rd
Grants, New Mexico, 87020
United States
34.993254, -108.080755
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New Mexico

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New Mexico

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