Caves

At least 53 caves occur in Maryland. Most of these are located in western Maryland, in Washington, Allegany, Garrett and Frederick Counties. There are no known caves on the Eastern Shore or southern Maryland. A variety of spiders, insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish and mammals make caves their seasonal or permanent homes. In the past, aboriginal human populations used caves for shelter and religious ceremonies. More recently, some of these caves have been mined as a source of metal ores, and nitrates for gunpowder. Maryland caves have a rich natural and cultural history that requires careful preservation and study. Explore the links below for more information.