Clarks Cave

Clarks Cave in Bath County, Virginia, is both a major cave system and an important archaeological site. Mined for saltpeter in the nineteenth century, it reflects the era when caves were worked for nitrate-rich earth. The cave stretches 6.43 miles and has six entrances, with a large maze of passages shaped by joints in Lower Devonian limestone, making it an excellent example of a joint-controlled cave. Its scientific importance also comes from the remains preserved inside, where 142 species of vertebrates and 35 species of invertebrates have been identified, preserving a long record of animal life.

Warm Springs, Virginia · United States