Caves in Alabama

Location:

Woodville, AL

Highlights:

If you’ve ever wanted to step into a real-life fantasy cave, Cathedral Caverns State Park is the spot. With epic rock formations and year-round perfect temps, it’s an adventure you’ll want on your Alabama must-do list.

We Recommend This For:

Nature lovers, geology buffs, families, and travelers looking for an underground escape that’s both scenic and accessible.

What we Love:

The jaw-dropping stalagmites, cool 60°F cave temps year-round, and fun extras like gem mining and hiking trails.

• Marvel at “Goliath,” one of the largest stalagmites in the world, plus a frozen waterfall and an entire stalagmite forest.
• Tour the expansive cave system with daily guided tours—many parts are wheelchair accessible too.
• Explore beyond the cave with hiking trails, gemstone mining experiences, and primitive or backcountry camping options.
• Enjoy a consistent 60°F inside the cave, making it a perfect year-round attraction no matter the season.

Address:

637 Cave Road, Woodville, AL 35769
Phone: 256-728-8193

Location:

Childersburg, AL

Highlights:

If you’re up for a mix of history, adventure, and natural beauty, DeSoto Caverns is a one-of-a-kind destination that delivers it all. From ancient history to family fun, this show cave near Birmingham is anything but ordinary.

We Recommend This For:

Families, history buffs, curious adventurers, and anyone looking for a fun and educational day trip in Alabama.

What we Love:

The cave’s rich history, year-round access, and all the extra outdoor attractions that turn a visit into a full day of fun.

• Step back in time inside this historic cave where prehistoric Native Americans lived, Civil War soldiers mined for gunpowder, and moonshiners operated during Prohibition.
• Visit year-round with on-site amenities including a café, gift shop, picnic areas, and guided cave tours.
• Play your way through 20+ attractions like gem panning, archery, water golf, a giant maze, and more—perfect for kids and adults alike.
• Learn about Alabama’s underground history while enjoying modern family-friendly entertainment above ground.

Address:

5181 DeSoto Caverns Parkway, Childersburg, AL 35044
Phone: 256-378-7252

Location:

Decatur, AL

Highlights:

If you're up for a wild experience—not the touristy kind—Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge is a hidden gem. Home to over a million bats, including the largest gray bat colony in the U.S., this protected sanctuary is where nature quietly thrives.

We Recommend This For:

Wildlife conservation enthusiasts, advanced spelunkers, and travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path natural wonders near Decatur.

What we Love:

The refuge's dedication to endangered species protection, its untouched forested beauty, and the mystique of its hidden cave entrances.

• Protect one of the country’s most important bat habitats—over a million bats, including endangered gray bats, call Fern Cave home.
• Wander forested hillsides surrounding the cave, which form a tranquil and biodiverse slice of Alabama’s northeast.
• Appreciate that while the cave itself is only accessible to expert cavers, its ecological significance makes it a national treasure.
• Discover nearby family-friendly attractions like Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, Cook Natural Science Museum, and Point Mallard Park.

Address:

2700 Refuge Headquarters Road, Decatur, AL 35603
Phone: 256-353-7243

Planning Tip: Fern Cave is about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Birmingham (86.7 miles via I-65 N), making it an easy and rewarding day trip.

Location:

Cahaba Heights, AL

Highlights:

If you're intrigued by hidden natural wonders and don't mind a bit of mystery, Manitou Cave offers a rare and rewarding experience. While it’s closed to the general public, private tours give you exclusive access to this ecologically rich and sacred space.

We Recommend This For:

Eco-tourists, spelunkers, conservation-minded adventurers, and anyone interested in rare wildlife or Native American history.

What we Love:

The preservation of endangered species, limited-access adventure tours, and the unique biodiversity of a cave you can’t find anywhere else.

• Explore the cave with a private adventure tour—each experience lasts at least 1.5 hours and is led by knowledgeable guides.
• Walk along concrete steps, wooden walkways, and steel bridges through the cave’s first accessible portion.
• Discover rare species like the eastern milk snake, green salamander, and the Manitou cave snail—found nowhere else on Earth.
• Support conservation efforts for this once-popular tourist site that now protects fragile ecosystems and cultural heritage.

Address:

3179 Green Valley Road, Cahaba Heights, AL 352443

Location:

Warrior, AL

Highlights:

If you're up for an underground adventure and a refreshing swim, Rickwood Caverns State Park is the perfect combo of exploration and relaxation. It’s a hidden gem just outside Birmingham where nature puts on a truly unique show.

We Recommend This For:

Families, geology lovers, weekend campers, and anyone looking for an unforgettable day trip with cave tours and outdoor fun.

What we Love:

Guided cave tours, the crystal-clear underground pools, rare blind cave fish, and that awesome Olympic-size swimming pool fed by the cave’s own water source.

• Tour a stunning cave system filled with underground pools, intricate formations, and rare blind cave fish—accessible only via guided tours.
• Join a docent-led tour that runs several times a day and departs from the on-site gift shop for a personal touch to your cave experience.
• Stay overnight at one of the park’s campsites and explore scenic hiking trails teeming with wildlife.
• Swim in an Olympic-size pool that’s kept refreshingly cool with spring water straight from the cave itself.

Address:

370 Rickwood Park Road, Warrior, AL 35180
Phone: 205-647-9692

Romantic Caves in Alabama:

Location:

Bridgeport, AL

Highlights:

For a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric life, Russell Cave National Monument is an incredible stop in northeast Alabama. Though you can’t go deep inside the cave, standing at its massive entrance feels like connecting with history itself.

We Recommend This For:

History lovers, archaeology enthusiasts, families, and travelers interested in Native American heritage and ancient living spaces.

What we Love:

The powerful sense of place at the cave’s entrance, its status as one of Alabama’s longest caves, and the on-site museum that brings thousands of years of history to life.

• Learn about Native American life through artifacts and interpretive exhibits at the visitor center and museum.
• Stand at the impressive cave entrance—used as a shelter for thousands of years—and imagine life as it was lived millennia ago.
• Explore the grounds and enjoy educational programs that dive into the cultural and historical importance of this national monument.
• Discover one of the longest caves in the U.S., with 7.2 miles of mapped passages (although not open to the public for internal exploration).

Address:

3729 County Road 98, Bridgeport, AL 35740
Phone: 256-495-2672

Location:

Decatur, AL

Highlights:

If watching 400,000 bats take flight at sunset sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime moment, Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge belongs on your summer bucket list. This peaceful preserve protects rare species and offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities in a truly unique setting.

We Recommend This For:

Wildlife watchers, hikers, families, photographers, and conservation enthusiasts interested in endangered species and rare natural events.

What we Love:

The summer bat emergence, the serene hiking trails, and the important conservation work being done to protect rare species inside the cave.

• Protect endangered gray and Indiana bats by visiting responsibly—Sauta Cave is off-limits to the public to ensure their habitat remains undisturbed.
• Watch the unforgettable sight of 400,000 bats emerging at sundown during the summer months—best viewed from the park’s dedicated platform.
• Hike scenic trails around the refuge, where you might also spot rare plants and other native wildlife.
• Explore the surrounding preserve, part of a 264-acre sanctuary that balances education, research, and protection of delicate ecosystems.

Address:

2700 Refuge Headquarters Road, Decatur, AL 35603
Phone: 256-353-7243

Location:

Woodville, AL

Highlights:

Want to hike to one of the most photographed caves in the Southeast? Stephens Gap Callahan Cave Preserve is a bucket-list adventure with jaw-dropping views and a dramatic pit cave that stuns both experienced cavers and casual hikers.

We Recommend This For:

Photographers, outdoor adventurers, experienced cavers, and nature lovers looking for a rugged and rewarding hike in Alabama.

What we Love:

The towering 143-foot cave pit, magical light shafts, and the option for both seasoned cavers and curious hikers to enjoy the experience at different levels.

• Hike through Jackson County’s backcountry to reach this geological wonder—note that the trail is steep, slippery, and primitive in spots.
• Marvel at the dramatic cave pit, which plunges 143 feet and is accessible to only those with proper training and gear.
• View the breathtaking pit safely from the top via a short walk-in passage, perfect for visitors without caving experience.
• Plan ahead—permits are required and limited daily, with weekend permits often booked 2–3 weeks in advance depending on the season.

Address:

8408 County Road 30, Woodville, AL 35776
Phone: 423-771-9671

Family-friendly Caves in Alabama:

Location:

Fackler, AL

Highlights:

For experienced cavers and adventure photographers, Neversink Pit is an absolute bucket-list destination. This dramatic 162-foot vertical drop offers breathtaking views that change with the seasons and inspire awe year-round.

We Recommend This For:

Expert cavers, outdoor photographers, geology enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers with the gear and skill to rappel into the depths of one of the most iconic pits in North America.

What we Love:

The incredible seasonal transitions—from icy drapes in winter to waterfalls and vibrant ferns in spring and summer—and the pit’s cathedral-like size and beauty.

• Descend into a 162-foot vertical cave with a 40-foot opening at the top that widens to over 100 feet at the bottom—accessible only to trained and equipped cavers.
• Witness jaw-dropping natural changes throughout the year: icy walls in winter, peaceful waterfalls in spring, and lush ferns cascading over ledges in summer.
• Photograph one of the most visually striking caves in the country—featured in countless publications and adored by the global caving community.
• Prepare ahead—this is a protected preserve and requires permits as well as a high level of technical caving knowledge for safe entry.

Address:

Fackler, Alabama 35746

Location:

Fackler, AL

Highlights:

If you're ready to venture underground and explore a labyrinth of natural wonders, Tumbling Rock Cave offers an epic adventure. With formations that look like elephants' feet and Christmas trees, plus a towering underground dome, this cave has something for every level of explorer.

We Recommend This For:

Beginner and experienced cavers, geology lovers, history buffs, and anyone seeking a cool (literally!) and unforgettable underground experience.

What we Love:

The incredible variety of formations, historical Civil War-era signatures, and the jaw-dropping 400-foot Topless Dome with its hidden waterfall.

• Explore over 6 miles of passageways that vary in difficulty—perfect for both casual adventurers and serious spelunkers.
• Marvel at formations shaped like stalactite trees and elephant feet, all under a consistent and comfy 58°F temperature year-round.
• Spot remnants of the past, including historic mining equipment and soldier signatures dating back to the Civil War.
• Gaze up at the awe-inspiring Topless Dome, a 400-foot vertical shaft with a cascading underground waterfall—truly the crown jewel of the cave.

Address:

3407 County Road 111, Fackler, Alabama 35746