Kuna Butte, Kuna Cave And Initial Point

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Kuna Butte, Kuna Cave And Initial Point

Taking a "rest day" on 29 December 2025, Zosia Zgolak visited a number of geological features located within Idaho's Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA). The NCA actually spans a vast area along Snake River south of Boise, and we would only scratch the surface with respect to the wealth of recreational opportunities here. In fact, we would only visit the very northern terminus of the NCA just south of Kuna, a city which is part of the Boise metropolitan area.

First up, Zosia and I hiked Kuna Butte, a volcanic remnant that looks better on paper than in reality. There are multiple points of access, and we approached from the north via West Kuna Mora Road (turn south at the intersection with South Forrey Road). After driving as far as we felt comfortable (43.45409, -116.44124), we walked the remaining short distance to the high point of Kuna Butte along one of the many dirt roads crisscrossing the area. The gazetted high point sits on an outcrop of rocks, but there is an outlier a short distance to the west which is at least as high if not higher. Although the views from there were respectable, a bone-chilling wind made it too uncomfortable to linger. Besides, there was not much else to explore anyway, and we therefore walked back to our car to drive to our next attraction.

	Zosia follows a dirt road that leads to the top of Kuna Butte.
	Zosia stands on the gazetted high point of Kuna Butte (979 metres). Behind her is Kuna Butte's western outlier.
	The land to the south is part of the vast Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. On the horizon are the Owyhee Mountains.
	Zosia stands on Kuna Butte's western outlier (S1; 979 metres). The sliver of dark blue on the right horizon is Lake Lowell.
	Zosia hikes back toward the gazetted high point of Kuna Butte.
	Total Distance: 2.9 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 1 hour Cumulative Elevation Gain: 81 metres GPX Data

Snake River Plain is renowned for its volcanic formations including a seemingly endless number of lava tubes. One such lava tube is Kuna Cave which is located only a short distance south of Kuna Butte. The cave has an interesting history, but because of easy access, it has suffered a lot of abuse in the form of graffiti and trash. In recent years, there has been a proposal by the Bureau of Land Management to improve the state of the cave both in terms of aesthetics and safety, but it remains unclear when or if the remediation will be implemented.

The usual access is via a dirt road which runs due south from paved Kuna Cave Road past some private farmland to a gate (43.41553, -116.45395) at the NCA boundary. The cave entrance--basically a hole in the ground--is about half a kilometre southeast of the gate, and although it is possible to drive all the way there, we elected to walk this last bit. To enter the cave, we had to descend a 15-metre high steel ladder with a safety cage. Both the ladder and cage appeared to be quite sturdy, but it is worth noting that they are not officially maintained. The lava tube runs along the north-south axis, and we first explored the southern arm which entailed at least one section where we had to crawl along on our bellies. The northern arm is longer and generally more spacious, and we went as far as we could without having to crawl. When we had enough of looking at the graffiti-covered walls and stepping around all the infuriating trash, we climbed back up the ladder to the surface and walked back to our car.

Hard to believe there's a cave somewhere out here! Zosia walks along the rough approach road to Kuna Cave. The prominent butte on the horizon is officially-named Initial Point.

Imagine walking in the dark here and tripping into the cave! Zosia peers into the entrance of Kuna Cave.

The ladder seemed sturdy enough, but it is not maintained. Use at your own risk! Zosia descends a 15-metre high steel ladder to enter Kuna Cave which is actually an extended lava tube running north-south.

Definitely not for claustrophobes! Zosia crawls through very fine dirt while exploring the southern arm of the lava tube.

Some serious scrambling is needed to spray graffiti that high up! Zosia checks out one of the more spacious sections in the northern arm of the lava tube.

Did you remember to bring your helmet? Some sections in the northern arm have low ceilings.

Does every cave visitor bring a can of spray paint with them? Unfortunately, graffiti is prevalent everywhere in Kuna Cave.

Not quite sure what the person who brought a scooter here was thinking... Sadly, there is also quite a lot of trash in Kuna Cave.

The Great Escape! Zosia climbs out of Kuna Cave.

Shame about all the graffiti and garbage. Total Distance: 1.3 kilometres*
Round-Trip Time: 1 hour
Cumulative Elevation Gain: ~15 metres
GPX Data
*Mostly surface travel only

Our last activity for the day in the NCA was an ascent of another volcanic butte officially known as Initial Point located about 6.3 kilometres southeast of Kuna Cave. Initial Point was so named because it is the starting point for all land surveys in Idaho. Access is easy via a dirt road that heads east from paved South Swan Falls Road. Although it is possible to drive right to the base of the butte or even to the top, Zosia and I parked about 600 metres short just to stretch out an already short hike. While we had no issues walking up via the dirt road, there are options for off-trail scrambling on some of the steep rocks guarding the top. The observation platform there grants an unobstructed 360-degree view, but just like on Kuna Butte, there was no reason for us to linger especially since we were again buffeted by a cold wind. The short walk back to our car concluded our brief tour of the NCA, but I am keen on returning in the future to explore more of this part of Snake River Plain.

I could've driven this road, but we're here to hike, right? Zosia walks along the access road toward Initial Point.

I thought it was the ruins of an old fire lookout. An observation platform sits atop Initial Point.

I wonder what all the numbers mean... The benchmark on Initial Point (986 metres) is the starting reference point for all other land surveys done in Idaho.

Just like on Kuna Butte, the wind is bloody cold here! Sonny and Zosia take a selfie on top of Initial Point.

Some optional scrambling is possible here! Here is another look at the observation platform on top of Initial Point.

We were standing on the high point there only 2.5 hours ago! At centre on the northwest horizon is Kuna Butte which is about nine kilometres away.

Not bad views for such a puny summit!

Here is a panoramic view to the northeast from Initial Point.

Total Distance: 2.0 kilometres
Round-Trip Time: 37 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 41 metres

GPX Data

	Zosia walks along the rough approach road to Kuna Cave. The prominent butte on the horizon is officially-named Initial Point.
	Zosia peers into the entrance of Kuna Cave.
	Zosia descends a 15-metre high steel ladder to enter Kuna Cave which is actually an extended lava tube running north-south.
	Zosia crawls through very fine dirt while exploring the southern arm of the lava tube.
	Zosia checks out one of the more spacious sections in the northern arm of the lava tube.
	Some sections in the northern arm have low ceilings.
	Unfortunately, graffiti is prevalent everywhere in Kuna Cave.
	Sadly, there is also quite a lot of trash in Kuna Cave.
	Zosia climbs out of Kuna Cave.
	Total Distance: 1.3 kilometres* Round-Trip Time: 1 hour Cumulative Elevation Gain: ~15 metres GPX Data *Mostly surface travel only

	Zosia walks along the access road toward Initial Point.
	An observation platform sits atop Initial Point.
	The benchmark on Initial Point (986 metres) is the starting reference point for all other land surveys done in Idaho.
	Sonny and Zosia take a selfie on top of Initial Point.
	Here is another look at the observation platform on top of Initial Point.
	At centre on the northwest horizon is Kuna Butte which is about nine kilometres away.