Fort Stanton Cave

Hidden beneath the hills surrounding Fort Stanton is one of New Mexico’s largest cave systems.

The enormous underground system has more than 56 miles of mapped passages. As of 2026, Fort Stanton Cave is the seventh-longest cave in the United States and the second-longest in New Mexico behind Lechuguilla Cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The cave’s most famous feature is a brilliant white formation called the “Snowy River”.

Why Is It Called Snowy River?

The Snowy River is a winding, 13-mile passage lined with bright white calcite, giving it the appearance of a frozen river flowing through the cave. The calcite formed as a result of mineral-rich groundwater repeatedly flooding the cave, leaving behind thin layers that built up over time. Although Fort Stanton Cave had been known for generations, the Snowy River section was not discovered until 2001, when exploration revealed previously unknown passages deep within the system.

Can You Visit Snowy River Cave?

Unfortunately, Snowy River is not open to the general public.

Fort Stanton Cave access is limited to approved scientific, educational, exploration, and conservation work. The restrictions help protect the cave’s fragile formations, unusual microorganisms, and bat populations.

You can explore the landscape above it however. The Fort Stanton–Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area protects 25,000 acres surrounding the cave and includes hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, and the nearby Fort Stanton Historic Site.