Listed is information about the regular cave hike tours (go on a tour in order to go in the cave) and the mostly free programs offered at Dunbar Cave State Natural Area, 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road, (931) 648-5526
Cave Hikes in July: Wednesdays through Sundays at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. each day. There are no hikes on Mondays or Tuesdays. On July 4 we will have hikes at 10:00, 1:00 and 3:00. We also have special evening cave hikes listed below. We reserve the right to cancel any hike due to lack of reservations. You must be at least three years old, have a flashlight and a reservation. Cost is $5.00. Call (931) 648-5526 for reservations.
JULY PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Programs listed below are free unless noted otherwise. All programs require reservations. 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 listed are definite – please do not sign up a child who is too young or too old for the program. (931) 648-5526
Wednesday, July 4 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. EVENING CAVE HIKE Ages 3 – adult
Can’t make our regularly scheduled hikes? Well this one is just for you. Cost is $5.00 per person and space is limited to 20 people. Bring a flashlight and wear good walking shoes (no sandals). RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 2. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Thursday, July 5 8:30 – 10 a. m. WILDFLOWER HIKE FOR KIDS Ages 5 – 9
Learn the names and lore of the flowers on this hike to the cave and along the lake. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 3. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist.
Thursday, July 5 2 – 3 p.m. EARTH DAY EVERYDAY Ages 7 – Adult
Come learn how you can make a difference just by changing simple everyday activities. We will learn how to make recycled paper by using used pieces of paper. Bring in extra newspaper or scrap paper. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 3. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Thursday, July 5 6 – 7 p.m. FOOD CHAIN HIKE Ages 3 – Adult
Hike the Short Loop trail and discuss the food chain and see how all things in the woods are connected. The trail is 1.1 miles and mildly strenuous. Wear good walking shoes (no flip flops). RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 3. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 6 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. THE FOREST Ages 7 – 12
Learn the plants and animals that make up the forest habitat. Be prepared to hike one mile. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 4. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Friday, July 6 10 – 10:45 a.m. WHAT’S WILD Ages 6 – 10
Learn about the differences between domesticated and wild animals by making a collage. Bring old magazines and newspapers with pictures of different kinds of animals. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 4. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Friday, July 6 6 – 6:45 p.m. NATIVE LANDSCAPING Ages: Adult
Get all the information you need to start changing your garden into a Tennessee native landscape. This will include butterfly gardens. Learn what the benefits are to using these plants. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 4. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Saturday, July 7 6 – 7:30 p.m. EVENING CAVE HIKE Ages 3 – adult
Cost is $5.00 per person, limited to 20 people. Bring a flashlight and wear good walking shoes (no sandals). RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 6. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sunday, July 8 7:30—8:30 p.m. LET’S LEARN ABOUT BATS! Ages 3 – adult
Come learn about the bats that hibernate in Dunbar Cave. After some fun activities and games we will go watch the bats fly around the Lake. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 6. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Wednesday, July 11 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. BATS ARE FUN Ages 5 – 8
Learn about bats through videos, books and games. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 9th. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Thursday, July 12 2:30-3:30 p.m. FROGS AND TOADS Ages 3 – 8
Join us as we learn the difference between these creatures and take a short frog hike. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 10th. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist.
Friday, July 13 9 – 10 a.m. BUGS! Ages 5 – 12
Did you know that only the female mosquito bites? Do you want to learn more about the insects found in your back yard? Meet me at the visitor center and we will investigate the insects found at Dunbar Cave. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 11. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 13 11 – 12 noon ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS Ages 7 – 14
The first people to visit Dunbar Cave were the Native Americans. This was during a time before written history. The majority of what we know about the Native Americans comes from archaeological digs. Participate in a mock archaeological dig to see how it is done and how it tells us what we know. Space is limited to eight participants. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 11. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 13 8 – 8:45 p.m. BATS! all ages
Come out to the cave entrance as we learn about these fascinating creatures as they emerge from the cave for the night. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 11. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Saturday, July 14 10 – 10:45 a.m. PICTOGRAPH VIEWING Ages 3 – adult
Want to see the ancient Native American drawings in the cave but don’t want to go on our regular hour and a half hike? Then this is just for you. Bring a flashlight and space is limited to 20 people. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 12. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Saturday, July 14 6:30-7:30 p.m. COME PLAY NATIVE AMERICAN GAMES Ages 5 – adult
Did you know that Native Americans used Dunbar Cave? Come play some of the games that the children would have when they lived here. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 12. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Saturday, July 14 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. NIGHT HIKE Ages 3 – adult
Hike the Short Loop trail and look for animals that most visitors don’t see since they come out after the park normally closes. The trail is 1.1 miles and mildly strenuous. Wear good walking shoes (no sandals) and bring a flashlight. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 12. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Wednesday, July 18 9 – 11 a.m. INSECTS Ages 5 – 12
We’ll learn the different kinds of insects, catch and release them! RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 July 16th. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Friday, July 19 11 – 12 noon ROCK ART Ages 6 – 12
When the Native Americans visited the cave about 700 years ago they left some drawings on the cave wall, which tell a story. Learn about the cave art here at Dunbar Cave and practice making some to tell a story of our own. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 17. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Thursday, July 19 8:15 – 9:15 p.m. NIGHT HIKE All ages
Walk the Short Loop trail at night as we explore the woods and lakeshore for nocturnal critters. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 17. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Friday, July 20 8 – 9 a.m. MORNING TRAIL HIKE Ages 3 – adult
Hike the short loop trail and see the wildlife which is starting to emerge for the day. The trail is 1.1 miles long and mildly strenuous. Wear good walking shoes or boots (no flip flops). RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 18. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 20 10 – 11 a.m. MAN’S USE OF DUNBAR CAVE THROUGH TIME Ages 10 – adult
Gain a better appreciation for local park by viewing a slideshow covering the past 10,000 years of human activity at Dunbar Cave. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 18. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Friday, July 20 2 – 3 p.m. SNAKES Ages 4 – 7
We will learn about snakes through fun books and slides. Then you can come to our program on Saturday and see real live, real large snakes! RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 July 18. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, July 21 11 – 12 noon SNAKES (BOAS, THEY’RE NOT JUST CONSTRICTORS)
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 4:30 July 19
Saturday, July 21 7:30-8:30 p.m. LET’S LEARN ABOUT BATS! Ages 3 – adult
Come learn about the bats that hibernate in Dunbar Cave. After some fun activities and games we will go watch the bats fly around the Lake. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 19. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sunday, July 22 6—7:30 p.m. EVENING CAVE HIKE Ages 3 – adult
Can’t make our regular scheduled hikes? Well this one is just for you. Cost is $5.00 per person and space is limited to 20 people. Bring a flashlight and wear good walking shoes (no sandals). RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 20. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sunday, July 22 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. LIGHT LOVING BUGS All Ages
Learn about those summer insects that love when you leave the porch light on. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 23. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Wednesday, July 25 9 – 10 a.m. WHAT’S IN SWAN LAKE Ages 3 – 12
Find out about the aquatic habitat in Swan Lake a.k.a Dunbar Lake. Bring shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty because we are getting wet. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 23. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Thursday, July 26 10 – 11 a.m. TAKE COVER! Ages 10 – adult
Did you know that Dunbar Cave was designated as a nuclear fallout shelter during the Cold War? Come learn about this little known part of our history. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 24. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Friday, July 27 9:00- 11:00 a.m. PAWPRINTS AND POOP Ages 5 – 12
Learn about the clues and signs that animals leave behind. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 July 24. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Friday, July 27 10 -11 a.m. THE WATER CYCLE Ages 6 – 12
Play a game and find out where the water we drink came from, where its been, and all the places it can go. We will also make a necklace to take home and show how different the water cycle can be. Space is limited to 10 participants. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 25. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 27 7 – 8 p.m. EVENING TRAIL HIKE All ages
This is a great time of day to observe wildlife as we walk the Short Loop trail. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 25. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Saturday, July 28 4 – 6 p.m. COOLING AT THE CAVE All ages
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. No admission charge, refreshments will be available for purchase. No reservations needed
Saturday, July 28 5:30 – 7 p.m. LANTERN CAVE TOUR Ages 6 – adult
Explore the dark abysses of Dunbar Cave with only a kerosene lantern for light. Cost is $5.00 per person and space is limited to 10 people. Wear good walking shoes (no sandals). RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 26. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Sunday, July 29 9 – 10 a.m. WHAT’S IN SWAN LAKE Ages 3 – 12
Find out about the aquatic habitat in Swan Lake a.k.a Dunbar Lake. Bring shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty because we are getting wet. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sunday, July 29 10 – 11 a.m. CANDY CAVES Ages 7 – 14
Find out why we have caves and how they form while making a model cave from sugar to see the process in action. Space and supplies are limited to nine participants. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 27. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sunday, July 29 8 – 9:30p.m. FULL MOON HIKE Ages 8 – adult
The full moon will be rising at 8:07, and we will walk the Short Loop Trail and Lake Trail by its light. NO FLASHLIGHTS unless they have red filters. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 July 27. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
