This cave had a sinkhole, a karst window in the middle of a field, as its natural entrance, which allowed easy access to both cold air and locals. As a result the cave was often ice filled during winter and spring, which ended abruptly when the cave entrance was sealed. Locals used the cave for purposes like feasting, the new owners had to remove trash including empty beer bottles. But many of the graffiti in the cave are of historic interest. The oldest one with a date is from 1817, another one from 1905. There are numerous initials and dates. But unfortunately there are also traces of vandalism, like stalactites broken off by visitors. As a result the conversion into a show cave also protects the cave.
http://www.tyendinagacaves.blogspot.com/
This is about a 20 min drive from Belleville, Ontario

The picture of Root cave above that Corneile D. took when in the cave with Fred U. for the first time, was when she was still living in Ontario. I believe she and Fred were the first ever past the sump.

Root Cave is not “the river cave” that Caveman speaks of.
Caveman, if you have another nice cave you know of and would like to share, please e-mail Mick about it. I’m sure he will be discrete.

If you have seen the trashed Hope Bay cave and other’s you would understand why I let the National Park know quickly that they had this gem, that was in need of protecting. Not that I wanted to keep people out, only the vandals. And there are the bats that use this cave that didn’t need to be disturbed in winter. Hope Bay must have been very beautiful at one time. It’s a sham it wasn’t given some protection also. If it had we could all see the pictures of what must have been very nice Formations.

Parks Canada is not a Conservation area. Park Canada first mandate is to protect natural features not supply recreation, though they do when appropriate. As I understand it.
There are a few cave scientist that are and have done some work in Root Cave. If others have some usefull study that could be done they may also get the OK to enter.

I would agree that there is still hope that other caves may one day be found that are also very pretty. Keep looking and you can be there first! Remember the biggest; longest, deepest caves of the world and Canada are still not discovered yet!!! Unlike the tallest mountains.