Northeast Alabama is a hotspot for spelunkers. More than 2,000 caves, approximately half of the known caves in the state, are located just in Madison and Jackson counties. The mountains in the region are sandstone, which absorbs water. The limestone base then dissolves or erodes, forming caves. Many spelunkers like to explore on their own, but several caves in the area offer tours that are suitable for the casual tourist.
Russell Cave National Monument, near Bridgeport, Alabama was used to shelter Native Americans from the elements as far back as 10,000 years. Tours of the cave are given by National Park Service Interpretive Rangers, who also present special programs throughout the year. The park's Visitor Center Museum has artifacts from these early inhabitants including pottery, jewelry, weapons, and tools that have been excavated from the site. Visitors may also view a video about the park. Russell Cave National Monument is open from 8:30-4:30 year round. Admission is free.
Cathedral Caverns State Park is located twenty miles southwest of Scottsboro. A massive entrance opens to a cave covering 14 acres. Visitors will see interesting formations such as the Frozen Waterfall, Stalagmite Mountain, a stalagmite "forest", Big Rock Canyon, and Goliath, one of the world's largest stalagmites. Visitors must tour the cave with a guide. The cave pathway is paved, lighted, and handicapped accessible. Tours are given daily and take 1½ hours. Cave admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-11 years. Other activities in the park include a climbing wall, nature trails, and gemstone mining.Visitors to Lake Guntersville State Park, near Guntersville, Alabama can explore a small cave there. The cave is located off the Tom Bevill Trail on Ellenberg Mountain. Spelunkers should bring their own flashlight.
Sequoyah Caverns is a privately owned attraction near Valley Head, Alabama. Visitors will see reflecting pools and beautiful cave formations on the Looking Glass Tour, which is given hourly. Groups of 5 or more people can take the Wild Cave Adventure Tour, where they will squeeze through tight places and see parts of the cave that only limited numbers of visitors get to explore. Sequoyah Caverns is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30am-5pm. The basic cave tour is $15.95 for adults and $8.95 for ages 4-12.
True Adventure Sports in Fort Payne, Alabama leads tours of Manitou Cave, located in the side of Lookout Mountain. This cave used to be a tourist attraction with a candlelit ballroom. It is now closed to the public except through this tour company. The Wild Cave Tour is a 2½ hour guided tour for $69. The Extreme Wild Cave Tour is a 3½ hour tour that requires crawling through places on hands and knees or belly, as well as rappelling into a dark tunnel. Cost of this tour is $202.50. A six hour adventure tour is also available.
Russell Cave National Monument, near Bridgeport, Alabama was used to shelter Native Americans from the elements as far back as 10,000 years. Tours of the cave are given by National Park Service Interpretive Rangers, who also present special programs throughout the year. The park's Visitor Center Museum has artifacts from these early inhabitants including pottery, jewelry, weapons, and tools that have been excavated from the site. Visitors may also view a video about the park. Russell Cave National Monument is open from 8:30-4:30 year round. Admission is free.
Cathedral Caverns State Park is located twenty miles southwest of Scottsboro. A massive entrance opens to a cave covering 14 acres. Visitors will see interesting formations such as the Frozen Waterfall, Stalagmite Mountain, a stalagmite "forest", Big Rock Canyon, and Goliath, one of the world's largest stalagmites. Visitors must tour the cave with a guide. The cave pathway is paved, lighted, and handicapped accessible. Tours are given daily and take 1½ hours. Cave admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-11 years. Other activities in the park include a climbing wall, nature trails, and gemstone mining.Visitors to Lake Guntersville State Park, near Guntersville, Alabama can explore a small cave there. The cave is located off the Tom Bevill Trail on Ellenberg Mountain. Spelunkers should bring their own flashlight.
Sequoyah Caverns is a privately owned attraction near Valley Head, Alabama. Visitors will see reflecting pools and beautiful cave formations on the Looking Glass Tour, which is given hourly. Groups of 5 or more people can take the Wild Cave Adventure Tour, where they will squeeze through tight places and see parts of the cave that only limited numbers of visitors get to explore. Sequoyah Caverns is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30am-5pm. The basic cave tour is $15.95 for adults and $8.95 for ages 4-12.
True Adventure Sports in Fort Payne, Alabama leads tours of Manitou Cave, located in the side of Lookout Mountain. This cave used to be a tourist attraction with a candlelit ballroom. It is now closed to the public except through this tour company. The Wild Cave Tour is a 2½ hour guided tour for $69. The Extreme Wild Cave Tour is a 3½ hour tour that requires crawling through places on hands and knees or belly, as well as rappelling into a dark tunnel. Cost of this tour is $202.50. A six hour adventure tour is also available.
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