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Nutty Putty Cave

Nutty Putty Cave is a hydrothermal cave in Utah County, Utah, west of Utah Lake in the United States.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nutty Putty Cave is a hydrothermal cave in Utah County, Utah, west of Utah Lake in the United States. It was discovered in 1960 and became known to cavers before being permanently closed after the 2009 death of John Edward Jones. The cave is now sealed and treated as a gravesite memorial.

Geology and formation

Nutty Putty Cave is a hydrothermal cave formed by hypogenic processes, meaning mineral-rich water rose from below and dissolved rock to create passages. It is described as a limestone cave in Utah County.

Discovery and early use

The cave was discovered in 1960 by Dale Green and friends and later became a popular destination for local cavers, students, and scout groups.

2009 fatal incident

In November 2009, John Edward Jones became trapped in a tight passage and died after a prolonged rescue attempt. The incident led to the cave's permanent closure.

Closure and memorial status

The cave entrance was sealed with concrete after the 2009 death, and the site is generally treated as a memorial or gravesite.

Key facts

  • Nutty Putty Cave is located west of Utah Lake in Utah County, Utah.
  • It was discovered in 1960 by Dale Green and companions.
  • The cave is a hydrothermal, hypogenic cave formed by rising superheated water dissolving limestone.
  • In November 2009, John Edward Jones died after becoming trapped upside down in a narrow passage.
  • After the accident, the cave was permanently closed and sealed off.
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Canadian context

Nutty Putty Cave has no direct Canadian connection, but it is a frequently cited cave-rescue case for caving safety discussions in North America, including among Canadian outdoor and rescue communities.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Nutty Putty Cave located?
It is in Utah County, Utah, west of Utah Lake in the United States.
Who discovered Nutty Putty Cave?
It was discovered in 1960 by Dale Green and friends.
Why is Nutty Putty Cave famous?
It became widely known because of the 2009 death of caver John Edward Jones after he became trapped inside.
Is Nutty Putty Cave open to the public?
No. It was permanently closed after the 2009 incident and the entrance was sealed.
What kind of cave is Nutty Putty Cave?
It is described as a hydrothermal, hypogenic cave formed by water rising from below and dissolving limestone.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutty_Putty_Cave
    Supports: Location in Utah County, Utah; discovery; closure after 2009 incident; general description.
  2. HowStuffWorks — https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/nutty-putty-cave.htm
    Supports: Discovery in 1960; visitor popularity; John Edward Jones incident; hydrothermal/hypogenic formation; closure and memorial status.
  3. IFLScience — https://www.iflscience.com/nutty-putty-cave-incident-john-edward-jones-death-shows-the-grim-dangers-of-caving-75444
    Supports: Discovery by Dale Green; naming origin; hypogenic formation; location near Pleasant Grove, Utah.
  4. The Salt Lake Tribune — https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/07/10/nutty-putty-were-going/
    Supports: Death of John Edward Jones during the rescue effort.
  5. Climb-Utah — https://www.climb-utah.com/WM/nutty.htm
    Supports: Closure of the cave and concrete plug sealing the entrance.