Dunbar Cave State Natural Area has been a State Park since 1973. The cave and its surrounding 110 acres have considerable scenic, natural and historical significance. The entrance offered shelter to prehistoric Native Americans as far back as 10,000 years.
Dunbar Cave State Natural Area will present many nature programs this summer.
Upcoming events include: Turtle Racing, Night Hike, Insects, Animal Tracking, History of Dunbar Cave, Snakes and Lizards, and so much more!
Programs are free unless noted otherwise. All programs require reservations by the deadline listed. Programs with no reservations by the deadline are canceled.
All programs begin at the Visitor Center unless another site is listed.
Children must be accompanied by an adult (one adult for each three children).
The age limits are definite – please do not sign up a child who is too young or too old for the program.
Call (931) 648-5526 for reservations.
Sunday, July 11th
TURTLE RACING
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Join us for a day at the races as we put our turtles to the test and crown one Dunbar Cave’s Fastest Turtle. This will be a chance to see turtles up close, learn a lot about them, and even possibly hold one before the race.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 9th.
NIGHT HIKE
Time: 8:15pm – 9:30pm
Ages: 7-Adult
Walk the Recovery Trail with a ranger after the park normally closes as we watch and listen for wildlife that comes out when the sun goes down. Bring water, good walking shoes, bug spray, flashlight, and be prepared to walk 2 miles.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: Noon July 11th.
Monday, July 12th
WHAT LURKS BELOW?
Time: 8:00am – 9:30am
Ages: 5-Adult
Take a hike around the lake in the early hours to see what’s lurking below the surface. Learn about who lives here and what they do. Bring hiking shoes, water and sunscreen.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 10th.
INSECTS
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 5 – 12
We’ll learn the different kinds of insects, catch and release them!
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 9th.
Tuesday, July 13th
LOG LOOK
Time: 8:30am – 10:00am
Ages: 3-10
Lets take a short hike and find some fallen trees and see what lives in, around, and underneath them.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 11th.
IS IT VENOMOUS?
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Tennessee is home to many species of snakes, but only four of them are venomous. Come see if you can figure out which ones are harmless, and which ones can send you to the hospital.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 11th.
Wednesday, July 14th
A SENSE OF NATURE
Time: 8:30am – 10:00am
Ages: 5 – 10
We will use our eyes, ears, noses, mouths and fingers to learn about nature.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 12th.
GEOLOGY OF OUR AREA
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 6-Adult
Ever wonder why there are so many sinkholes in Clarksville, or how fossilized coral ended up in your backyard? Come learn the answers to these and other questions about our local geology.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 12th.
Thursday, July 15th
ANIMAL TRACKING
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Ages: All Ages
Sometimes it can be hard to spot wildlife here in the park, but they always leave evidence behind. This program will teach you some techniques to identify animal signs.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 13th.
HISTORY OF DUNBAR CAVE
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 10-Adult
Gain a better appreciation of your local park by viewing a slideshow of old photos from our past and learn about the Native American use of the cave.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 13th.
NATURE READINGS – BATS
Time: 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Ages: 3 – 9
We will sit at the cool cave entrance and learn about bats through fun books.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 14th.
FROG CALLS
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Ages: All ages
Each frog has its own unique and wonderful sound. Learn the frogs of the area and their calls, then walk around the lake and listen for calls.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 13th.
Friday, July 16th
CREEPY CRAWLERS
Time: 9:00am – 10:30am
Ages: 6-12
They buzz, crawl, jump, and slither but they are just as necessary as everything else around them. Lets take a short hike to find some insects that are hanging out on the trails.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 14th.
SNAKES OF TENNESSEE
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 6 – adult
Learn to identify the snakes of Tennessee in this indoor slide program.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 14th.
WHAT IS A SKINK?
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Is it a skink or a mink? These lizards are actually very common. This slideshow will teach you about some of the skinks that can be found here, and will be followed by a search around the building to spot the real thing.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 14th.
¡FIREFLY FIESTA!
Time: 8:30pm – 10:00pm
Ages: 3-Adult
Lightning bugs or fireflies? You will be the judge as we learn about these cool insects.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 14th.
Saturday, July 17th
SNAKES AND LIZARDS
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Ages: All ages
Join Sherry and Donnie of Reptiliacs for a close up look at live snakes – ONLY if you want to (otherwise sit in the back!)
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 16th.
LOG LAZIN’
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Ages: 3-10
Watch how these slow-moving turtles lay around in the sun and swim all day, but is there more to it than that? Come out and learn all about turtles. Bring shoes you can get wet, water and sunscreen.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm JULY 15th.
NIGHT FLIGHT
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Ages: 5-Adult
Meet at the mouth of the cave to witness a true miracle of nature as our bats emerge from their sleep to get a bite to eat.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: Noon July 16th.