Elk Bend, Idaho - Dugout Dick's Ice Cave Ranch

Dugout Dick's caves are a one-of-a-kind marvel. The caves themselves are nothing too special, but the fact that this man spent a lifetime excavating this mountain and then turning it into dwellings is extraordinary.

The caves are still rather primitive and could potentially be improved to modern day standards without much work. This sight is a reminder that having a home doesn't have to mean living apart from nature and that nature provides all that we need to live and build. [Kevin Brown, 11/19/2009]

Dug Out busted loose from the nursing home and is being very well cared for in his cave by a long time cave-resident. This is as it should be. True -- the place isn't all it used to be -- only a couple of residents, some of the caves are run down and some are indeed unsafe, BUT it is still a slice of heaven to those who are willing to SEE.

I've been going there annually for almost 10 years now. I love the cave where we stay (which admittedly is probably the nicest of the bunch these days) and am deeply saddened that one day it won't be a welcome place of respite and peace to so many beautiful souls. My 12 year old niece stayed with me this past week and we had a great time.

There is no place on earth that makes me happier and I have tremendous gratitude for Dug Out's life work, his eccentricities and his willingness to live his life in his own way. [R. Foster, 08/17/2009]

I met Dugout Dick, May 8, 2009. He was in good health and was looking forward to his 94th birthday. I will admit that I could not live like him, but to each his own. He is one of the most interesting people that I have ever met on any trip I have taken. Yes, there was a lady that I thought was slightly slow. She was very polite and friendly. I talked to her and Dick for about an hour. Both were happy to tell me their stories. On leaving I gave both of them a lapel pin of a Canadian flag...they both knew what it was.

To any person that says these people are of no worth and should be moved on and the caves closed, should take a look at their own lives first. Leave the cave people alone...they are the last of the true free spirits. [Bob Kelly, London, Ontario, Canada, 06/02/2009]

Our trip up the Salmon River to visit Dugout Dick's place in 1998 was one of the most memorable adventures of my life. I was intrigued by his counter-culture approach to life. This man is gentile, kind, intelligent, and very talented. He's the guy I would want with me in a survivalist situation.

When I read a [comment] by one of his "neighbors," I was very taken back by the judgmental mention of the "undesirables" that inhabit some of the cave homes. At our visit, I did observe some renters who exhibited signs consistent with mental imbalance. So what? Dugout's residences provided a place for anyone to call home. This man who used his uncanny ability to recycle junk into usable building materials or furniture has provided an invaluable contribution to the residents of Idaho who live nearby. Why, that man even kept accurate records of every dollar he received for rentals or tours. He said he wanted to be fair with his taxes. Dugout is one cool dude. [Mary, 07/16/2008]

Dug Out Dick is now confined to the Discovery Care Center in Salmon, Idaho. There are a couple of residents [in the vicinity of the caves] but when Dugout passes away (he is 92) the area will be remanded to the Bureau of Land Management and hopefully cleaned up. It is a trashy blight on the Salmon River and collected all kinds of undesirable people to our area. Dug Out Dick squatted there for many years and had no water, adequate sanitary facilities or electricity. Probably is not a very safe place to take people, as there is much garbage and unsafe areas where people could get hurt. I live a mile or so from there and it is now harboring feral cats and dogs that no one takes care of. [R.M. Johnson, 05/26/2008]

[RA: Be advised, Dug Out Dick adventurers and undesirables!]