Clarksville, TN – 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: Wildflower hike, History of Dunbar Cave, Atlatl Demonstration 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.
Friday, June 3rd
Wildflower Hike
Time: 9:30am – 11:00am
Ages: 10-Adult
Learn the names and lore of the flowers on this hike to the cave and along the lake.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: No Reservations Needed.
Atlatl Demonstration
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 8 – Adult
What’s that? It’s a hunting tool that has been used for over 25,000 years! Join us for a demonstration and even give it a shot (or throw) yourself.
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: No Reservations Needed.
Evening Trail Hike
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: All Ages
This time of day is great for seeing wildlife such as deer. Come walk the Recovery Trail (2 miles) with a Ranger in the evening and beat the heat.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: Noon June 3rd.
Saturday, June 4th
This is Tennessee Trails Day! Come out and hike the trails, enjoy nature, pick up a little trash if you find some.
History of Dunbar Cave
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 8 – Adult
Learn why Dunbar Cave has drawn people to it over many years, including Native Americans and resort-goers. Meet at cave entrance.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: No Reservations Needed.
Atlatl Demonstration
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 8 – Adult
What’s that? It’s a hunting tool that has been used for over 25,000 years! Join us for a demonstration and even give it a shot (or throw) yourself.
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: No Reservations Needed.
Bats Take Flight
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Meet at the cool mouth of the cave and learn about bats as they emerge from the cave and fly over the lake catching their dinner. Bring something to sit on and a flashlight.
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: Noon June 4th.
Sunday, June 5th
Life Cycle of a Lake
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Ages: All Ages
Join Ranger Adam for a walk around the lakeshore and learn all about “Swan Lake” and why it looks like it does.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm June 4th.
Crawdad Crawl
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 6 – Adult
Did you know that there are 78 different species of Crayfish in Tennessee? Come learn the life habits of our local crustaceans and even see some live ones for yourself!
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: No Reservations Needed.
Night Hike
Time: 8:00pm – 9:30pm
Ages: 6 – Adult
Beat the heat and look for some of the park’s more elusive critters in this hike around the lake and through the woods.
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: Noon June 5th.
Monday, June 6th
Crawdad Crawl
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 6 – Adult
Did you know that there are 78 different species of Crayfish in Tennessee? Come learn the life habits of our local crustaceans and even see some live ones for yourself!
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: No Reservations Needed.
Frog Talk
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Ages: 6 – Adult
Come and learn about the life and sounds of local frogs and toads, and take a walk around Swan Lake to try out our identification skills by listening for the songs of our amphibian friends.
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm June 5th.
Tuesday, June 7th
Limestone
Time: 9:30am – 11:00am
Ages: 6 – Adult
Learn about the state rock of Tennessee, from how its formed, to sinkholes and caves, to the fossils trapped within.
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm June 5th.
Wednesday, June 8th
Frogs and Toads
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Ages: 3 – 8
Join us as we learn the difference between these two and take a short frog hike to TRY to find some.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm June 6th.
Thursday, June 9th
Pawprints and Poop
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 5 – 12
Learn about the clues and signs that animals leave behind.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30om June 7th.
Friday, June 10th
Now There Is A Forest
Time: 9:00am – 10:30am
Ages: All Ages
Come walk the trail (2 miles) and learn how nature is reclaiming what man has abandoned.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm June 8th.
Saturday, June 11th
Paleo-Palooza
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Ages: 6 – Adult
Ever wonder about the ancient life that once was in Middle Tennessee? Join us as we take a look into the past, what was here, how they lived, what they are like now. There will be a hands-on fossil exhibit, slideshow and activities.
Program Leader: Brandon Parker, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations by: 4:30pm June 9th.
Dunbar Cave History
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Ages: 12 – Adult
The Montgomery County Historical Society presents a program on the History of Dunbar Cave by the man who wrote the book! Meet at cave entrance.
Reservations by: No Reservations Needed.
Eyes of the Night
Time: 7:45pm – 8:45pm
Ages: 5 – Adult
Bring a flashlight and we will hike around the lake hoping to catch the eyes of our nocturnal animals.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations by: 4:30pm June 9th.
