Williams Canyon Cave Conservancy LLC (2026–present)

Beginning in 2026, Williams Canyon Cave Conservancy LLC is working to establish a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to collaborate with Cave of the Winds on the care, management, exploration, surveying, and scientific study of the caves of Williams Canyon in east-central Colorado, including the commercially operated Cave of the Winds.

The original Williams Canyon Project (before 2026)

Prior to 2026, the Williams Canyon Project (WCP) of the National Speleological Society (NSS) carried out this work. In a cooperative agreement with Cave of the Winds, the WCP took an active role in the management of the canyon resources. Efforts by project members resulted in the discovery of numerous new passages in the popular show cave (Cave of the Winds), increasing the surveyed length to nearly two miles. Best known of the discoveries to date remains Silent Splendor, discovered by excavation in 1984.

If you have an interest in becoming involved with the Conservancy, the best way is through one of the local Colorado grottos. Historically, most grottos had representation in the original project, and their members led trips in the canyon on a regular basis.

BW126c

Upper Williams Canyon

BW139b

6012998539_db24260071_k

IMG_2591LSatSDUmFUmLSatF (more like what Rob Kolstad likes) USA, Colorado, Breezeway Cave, a cluster of beaded helictites known as 'the Tesla Coil', Nicola Tisaro

IMG_2432LSUmF Cave of the Winds, Silent Splendor, frostwork and helictites, by Norman R. Thompson

IMG_2418F Jennifer Zedalis crawling on the route to Southern Exposure in Cave of the Winds, Nov. 2019, by Norman R. Thompson

90050134 CO Huccacove Cave, draperies in God's Country

122b2 _MG_7343CroppedToMatchColorPC Entrance Pavilion from Serpentine Drive

122a2 EDITED Entrance Pavilion from Serpentine Drive ~1915 color PC, Spotted

30b _MG_1250RCSh Entrance Pavilion from across Williams Canyon

30a EDITED Entrance Pavilion from across Williams Canyon with carriage PC, Spotted

27b _MG_8253

27a EDITED Temple Drive, Williams Canon C1900, Cronk collection, Spotted

25b _MG_7543Sh Switchback from high

25a 00070660 Switchback from high, Cropped, Spotted

22b _MG_0360_9528AC_CabinetCard Boy with Hat on Knee

22a Williams_Canyon,_Manitou_Colorado,_U.S.A. Boy with Hat on Knee, Spotted

19b _MG_8034C Temple of Isis, David Pickard

19a EDITED 20100285 Temple of Isis, Spotted

11b _MG_9227CLCbSat Narrows Threesome

11a EDITED 001-5456-di, Spotted

08bR _MG_0854_0860_Rt From the Cave trail (to Huccacove) ShadowHighlight, Aligned, Cropped

1.15.5B Norman Thompson IMG_5362LSat Cave of the Winds, Fairy Bridal Chamber

1.15.5A Norman Thompson IMG_5351LSatCC Cave of the Winds, Fairy Bridal Chamber, alternative crop

_MG_9547ShLSat Williams Canyon, looking South toward Manitou Springs

_MG_3460 USA, Colorado, Breezeway Cave, Helictites, by Norman R. Thompson

_MG_3384CSSUm CO Breezeway Cave, Beaded Helictites, by Norman R. Thompson

_MG_3297DBLSatUm CO Breezeway Cave, Steve Reames with shields at Holy Waters

_MG_2569 Helictites in Breezeway Cave, by Norman R. Thompson

_MG_2230DBSatCLRsUm CO Breezeway Cave, front-to-back are Jon Schow, Jeff Polk, Steve Reames

30a EDITED Entrance Pavilion from across Williams Canyon with carriage PC, Spotted

_MG_9547ShLSat Williams Canyon, looking South toward Manitou Springs

From-PK

A photographic look at Williams Canyon and its caves