General
What is CaveFinder?
A web-based tool that analyzes LiDAR terrain data to detect potential cave entrances. You draw an area on the map, we analyze the terrain, and you get ranked candidate locations to investigate in the field
Who is CaveFinder for?
Recreational cavers looking for new leads, grotto survey teams planning fieldwork, karst researchers conducting terrain inventories, geotechnical engineers assessing sinkhole risk, and anyone who wants to understand what the terrain is hiding
Do I need to be a caver to use it?
No. The interface is designed to be approachable for anyone. But understanding how to safely visit candidates in the field requires proper training and equipment
Accuracy & Data
How accurate is CaveFinder?
We tested CaveFinder against 2,470 known cave locations. Each analysis generates hundreds of candidates ranked by confidence score. 28% of the time, the known cave appeared in the top 10 results (at 50m radius). 49% appeared in the top 25. That's roughly 15x better than random chance. Not every candidate is a cave, and not every cave will be detected — but the ranking consistently puts real caves near the top of the list
Where does the terrain data come from?
We use publicly available LiDAR elevation data from the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) at 1-meter resolution for most of the US. For areas without LiDAR coverage, we fall back to 30-meter satellite DEMs (Copernicus, SRTM)
Does it work outside the United States?
Yes, with reduced accuracy. 1m LiDAR is primarily available in the US. International areas use 30m satellite DEMs, which can detect larger features but miss smaller entrances
How does CaveFinder work?
CaveFinder uses proprietary terrain analysis to identify surface expressions consistent with subsurface voids. The specific methods are trade secrets
What about the “Known Caves” map layer?
That layer shows publicly documented caves from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata. It's separate from CaveFinder's terrain analysis — it's there for reference so you can see what's already known in your area
Pricing & Account
Is there really a free tier?
Yes. 3 analyses per week, top 10 candidates, no credit card required, no time limit
Can I cancel Pro anytime?
Yes. No contracts, no cancellation fees. Your subscription ends at the end of the billing period
What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit cards, processed securely through Stripe
Technical
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The web app works in any modern browser. For best results, use a tablet or desktop for the larger screen
Can I import my own DEM data?
Not yet. CaveFinder currently downloads terrain data automatically from public sources
What file formats can I export?
Pro users can export to CSV (spreadsheet), KML (Google Earth), and GPX (GPS devices). The Ridgewalk Planner also generates a printable PDF with topo map