Paris Ice Cave

The Paris Ice Cave is a really neat cave located in Paris Canyon just north of the Utah border in Idaho, above Bear Lake. There really isn’t much of a trail to it but there was surprisingly a lot to explore in the area and we spent a good hour there. The main cavern has a very wide mouth that leads to a wide chamber with a huge sky light above so for that section you do not need any additional lighting. From what I understand, there is an additional chamber that we missed that does not receive any light, so if you are adventurous you might want to have the extra lighting and gear to check that out.



Quick Details:

Length: Eh, maybe 100 yards for the main chamber.
Trail Type:Out and back. Possible loop if you don't mind a climb.
Difficulty: DR2. Super easy. Flat thin trail to the mouth, then a bridge and some navigating around rocks.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: No. The closest I am aware of is on HW 89 near the mouth of the canyon.
Dogs? Yes, leashed.
Other Info: This requires about 8 miles of well maintained dirt road. Our SUV did fine, and I think most vehicles would be as well, but just so you know.

To Get Here:

Head towards Paris, ID. look for the signed turn off for Paris Canyon. Head about 8 miles up the dirt road. There are a couple splits in the road, but the turns to the cave are all signed (I am pretty sure you always take the left). The cave is well marked as well.



The short section on Paris Canyon road that is paved (PSP).



Before long you will hit the dirt road (PSP). It is well graded and not particularly steep for the most part.



My only concern was some of these blind corners (PSP). However it was not a problem today.



One of the road splits (PSP). Note that the sign points us to the left here.



This is a gorgeous ride though (PSP)! Even if we didn’t see the cave, this is a pretty canyon.





Starting to get deep into the woods (PSP). We decided to keep a wary eye out for wildlife.



Another split in the road, again signed, hang left (PSP).



Before we knew it, we had arrived!

The Trail:



Not a whole lot of information at the trail marker, but that's okay.



Heading towards the main entrance.





The mouth of the cave is huge. As a claustrophobic person, I had no issues here.



Just past the mouth there is a little boardwalk to get through to the main chamber. I imagine this is due to ice formations that might exist earlier in the year.



Alright, this is freaking cool!



Entering the main chamber.



The main chamber.



Most of the roof has collapsed so there is plenty of light in here.



No ice formations this late in the season, but there was this pile of snow leftover, in uh, September.
Landis had pictured something similar to Mossy Cave in Bryce Canyon so this was a little bit of a shock to him. From what I can see online, similar ice columns can be found here in the earlier months.



Looking up again.



Back towards the mouth.



Up again.



Little alcove towards the back.



Mossy wall.



Sky lights above.



The pups explore.



The main chamber.



Again.



Some greenery in here.



This one to try and get a sense of how big it is.



Fun shaft of light.



Under the ledge.



The other direction.



Careful under here. I slipped on this small patch of ice. Not enough to fall, but enough to get wobbly.



Looking up through the skylight.



The snow pile.



I like the texture of these rocks.



Heading out the main entrance.

We didn’t even think about doing this, but the group behind us climbed up out of the skylight. So, you have that option if you don’t mind a climb.



Mossy alcove.





Leaving the cave.



View from the mouth of the cave.



We decided to explore the area a little more.



Thin crack.



Overlooking the main skylight.



Cows.



View from the top.



We decided to explore the crack.







It is like a miniature slot canyon. Cool, but no where near as cool as a real slot canyon.



It was super, super tight in here. I am kind of surprised I made it to the end, considering how claustrophobic I am.



Looking up.



This short crack ends at a little rock pile.



Wedged rocks.



More rocks.



Heading back out.



Okay, this was kind of neat.



Looking up again.



This was the thinnest spot.



Looking back into it.



Looking out across the formation again.



We found another opening, but it looked strait down, and honestly I couldn’t tell how deep it was so, we kept our distance.



From the other side.



A little further up there is a little bowl.





Fun rock field up here.



The main skylight again.



Panoramic.



Quite a few random holes so be sure to watch your step.



Rock crumbles.



Back to the main skylight.



I love the rock formations up here.



Finally found a good spot to see down into the cave through the skylight.





More of the rock.



The forest across the street.

We we had a blast exploring but we had other things to see. I am kind of regretting not going further up Paris Canyon, but meh, maybe next time.



Watch for cows on the road (PSP).





Not the best shots, but I think it was a red tail hawk (PSP).



Pretty forest (PSP).



For the most part the road is wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass safely, but this spot is probably the exception (PSP).



More forest (PSP).



Little bit of color on starting at the top of those trees (PSP). Sorry for the window glare.



Little open valley (PSP).



Weird scar down the hill and some color in the bushes (PSP).



Old power building (PSP).



Pretty river bottom (PSP).



Entering civilization again (PSP).

That was a really cool cave and the canyon was a nice pretty drive as well. We had the cave to ourselves, and only a couple other people showed up as we finished exploring the area. 10 out of 10 squirrels.



As for difficulty, it;s a little rocky within the cave, but not so bad to get into it. DR2.

Dogs are allowed, I think leashes are required though. When in doubt, I tend to lean towards leash