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Who are we?

The Paha Sapa Grotto is an internal organization of the National Speleological Society located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and is dedicated to the study, conservation, and enjoyment of caves.

Browse this page below or our events or projects page to find out more about what specifically we are involved with.

The Paha Sapa Grotto usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in Hill City , at the Mangiamo Wood Fired PIzza. Each meeting normally begins with a presentation about caves, caving, or geology, followed by the business meeting. Current Grotto projects are discussed at the meeting. We also offer caving trips once a month for beginners!

Monthly Meetings:

Next Meeting: Thursday, October 3rd

MEETING AT RUSHMORE CAVE AT 6:00 PM

Our next meeting of the Grotto will be held in the cave including a survey workshop!  We’ll be practicing using instruments, setting stations, and sketching.  We can go over any aspect of cave surveying according to interest by attendees.  See you there!

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There are many benefits
to joining the Grotto:

Access to the web site's member features
Subscription to our newsletter
The Carbide Flash
Member communication forum
Entitlement to grotto activities
Cave Trips!

At just $12 a year, it’s a deal!

Already Know you want to join?

What Do We Do?

(Besides go caving! For that, check our Cave Projects Page!)

Signs and Registers

The grotto has placed signs and registers in seven caves on the Black Hills National Forest, in order to monitor use levels, encourage visitors to protect cave resources, inform the public about the grotto, and assist the Forest Service with cave management.

Forest Service Agreement

The Paha Sapa Grotto has entered into an official agreement with the Black Hills National Forest. Under the agreement, the grotto provides volunteer services and expertise to the Forest, and the Forest consults with the grotto on activities that could affect cave resources. The grotto has provided cave management recommendations to the Forest, field-checked proposed quarry sites to ensure that cave resources are not affected, monitored cave visitation with registers (above), and surveyed numerous caves on Forest Service land.

Adopt-a-Highway: U.S. Highway 16

Through the SD-DOT Adopt-a-Highway program, the grotto has adopted a section of U.S. Highway 16 through Jewel Cave National Monument. Our first roadside cleanup was held in May 2007.

Davenport Cave Gate

This Forest Service cave has a gate designed to allow use by bats. After the gate was breached by vandals in 2003, the grotto provided the design and skilled labor to repair and upgrade it.

Wind and Jewel Cave Restoration Camp

Several grotto members have participated in the annual Wind / Jewel Restoration Camp, which is hosted by the National Park Service each year. Volunteers have helped the parks to remove accumulations of lint and hair from cave tours, trail construction debris, and wax from old candle lanterns.

​Cave Managers and Owners

The grotto has a long history of interactions with cave managers, including government agencies, private landowners, and operators of commercial caves. If you are an owner or operator of a local cave and would like to become involved with the Grotto, or would like to request grotto assistance/advice feel free to come to our next meeting!

Want to learn more about the History of the Paha Sapa Grotto?