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: Mammal Mayhem!, 100-inch Wilderness Hike, Flint and Steel, Full Moon Lunacy, Habitat: Cave, Cave Art, Blowgun Workshop, Cooling at the Cave, 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 25th
MAMMAL MAYHEM!
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Age: All Ages
Mammals are some of our most common and most secretive types of wildlife. This is an opportunity to learn about the many furry creatures that call our park home.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 24th.
100-INCH WILDERNESS HIKE
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 3-Adult
Let’s get down to basics and see just how many things live right below our feet. Bring your imagination and old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 23rd.
FLINT AND STEEL
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Ages: 8-Adult
Learn how to make fire the “old fashioned” way with flint and steel. Learn some other easy tricks to make your fire building attempts that much easier and effective.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 23rd.
Monday, July 26th
FULL MOON LUNACY
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Ages: 5-adult
The full moon is rumored to cause strange things to happen. Learn about the moon and watch a moonrise.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 24th.
Tuesday, July 27th
HABITAT: CAVE ENTRANCE
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
Age: All ages
We can’t go in the cave – or can we? We can visit the cave entrance and learn about the creatures and plants that live in this nice cool environment. Phoebes, spiders, salamanders and others call this place home.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 25th.
ANIMAL TRACKING
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Age: 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 25th.
LEARN ABOUT SWAN LAKE
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Ages: 6-Adult
Come learn why the lake at Dunbar Cave was created and how it has changed throughout the years. Be prepared to walk about 2/3 mile.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 25th.
Wednesday, July 28th
GEOLOGY OF OUR AREA
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
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. Be prepared for a short walk to the cave entrance.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 26th.
CAVE ART
Time: 1:30pm – 2:00pm
Ages: 8 – adult
We can’t go in the cave, but you can learn about the cave art and see pictures of it.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 26th.
INDIAN POTTERY
Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Ages: 3-Adult
Create your own piece of clay pottery just like the Woodland Indians did long ago. Bring your imagination and an old shirt. Meet at the cave entrance.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: NOON July 26th.
Thursday, July 29th
WALKING WITH BIRDS
Time: 8:00am – 9:30am
Ages: 5-Adult
On this hike, the less you know about birds the better. We’ll take a slow meander along the trails to get a better idea of what birds are at Dunbar Cave.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 27th.
BLOWGUN WORKSHOP
Time: 10:00am -11:00am
Ages: 7-Adult
Native Americans utilized Dunbar Cave and the surrounding area for over 12,000 years! One common hunting tool they used was the blowgun. Test your blowgun skills with this fun and educational workshop. Meet at the Cave.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 27th.
SKULLS
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Ages: 10 – adult
We sometimes find skulls in the woods or near the lake. Learn how to identify an animal by its skull.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 27th.
NATURE READINGS – ANIMALS
Time: 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Ages: 3 – 8
We will sit at the cool cave entrance and learn about animals in nature through fun books.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 28th.
Friday, July 30th
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Time: 8:00am – 10:30am
Ages: 15-Adult
Lets take a medium length hike along the short loop and see what we can “shoot”, whether it be our woodpeckers or the turtles lazing on the logs. Bring your camera, water and sunscreen.
Program Leader: Andy Riggs, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 28th.
ANIMAL HOMES
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
Ages: 4 – 8
Where do animals live and sleep? Learn the answer through books and a short hike.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 28th.
FROGS
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Age: All Ages
There are many species of frogs that can be found in the park. Come learn all about them.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 28th.
Saturday, July 31st
MAKE YOUR OWN BUTTERFLY NET
Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Age: All Ages
Butterflies are our most beautiful insects. This program will teach you how to make an easy and cheap butterfly net. Once those are all made, we will try to catch some butterflies in the park.
Program Leader: Michael Fulbright, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm July 29th.
COOLING AT THE CAVE
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Age: All ages welcome
The Friends of Dunbar Cave present a special time at the cool cave entrance reminiscent of days gone by. Gather and play cards and games as you listen to the soft sounds of a musical group. A donation gets you refreshments. T-shirts and postcards available to purchase. No reservations needed, but parking is extremely limited. You will not be able to enter the park once the parking lot is full.