Flooding and rockfalls close Cave of the Winds most often.

Flooding and rockfalls. The Cave of the Winds (Colorado) has shut down temporarily a handful of times, and it’s almost always water or rock damage. The 2013 floods in Manitou Springs caused major cave flooding and debris, closing it for months. Smaller closures happen after heavy rain when water seeps in and weakens the rock face.

Warning signs are pretty obvious if you know what to look for. New cracks in the cave walls or ceiling, water dripping where it didn’t before, loose rocks on the walkways, or sudden changes in lighting that suggest electrical issues from moisture. Staff usually catch these during daily inspections before they become