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: Children’s Theatre, Early Morning Nature Hike, Sinkholes, Eyes of the Night, Seeds 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.
Thursday, August 25th
Nature Readings – Bats
Time: 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Ages: 3 – 8
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 August 23rd.
Bats
Time: 7:15pm – 8:15pm
Ages: 5-Adult
Meet at the mouth of the cave to watch the bats leave the cave and fly around the lake.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 23rd.
Friday, August 26th
Birds
Time: 8:00am – 10:00am
Ages: All ages
Birdwatching at its best – come take an early morning hike and see our many different birds.
Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 24th.
Saturday, August 27th
Sinkholes!
Time: 9:00am – 10:30am
Ages: 6 to adult
Understand how and why the earth opens up beneath our feet … and houses… and streets! Short indoor presentation plus a hike on the Short Loop Trail to see actual sinkholes.
Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 25th.
Children’s Theatre Craft Activity
Time: 10:30am – 11:00am
Ages: All Ages
Join us for a crafty activity that leads in to the performance later.
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 25th.
Childrens’ Theatre – Animal Tales
Time: 11:00am
Performance by the wonderful actors, dressed up as animals.
Reservations By: No reservations needed.
Children’s Theatre Craft Activity
Time: 1:30pm – 2:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Join us for a crafty activity that leads in to the performance later.
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 25th.
Children’s Theatre – Animal Tales
Time: 2:00pm
Performance by the wonderful actors, dressed up as animals.
Reservations By: No reservations needed.
Bats – Its International Bat Night!
Time: 7:00pm – ???
Ages: All ages
Go to the cave entrance with Austin Peay State University students who are studying the bats in Dunbar Cave – learn about our bats and watch them come out of the cave!
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 25th.
Sunday, August 28th
Early Morning Nature Hike
Time: 6:00am – 7:30am
Ages: 8 – adult
Bring your camera and take a beginners nature photography one mile hike at sunrise.
Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 26th.
Monday, August 29th
Nature Games
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Come learn about predator/prey relationships through fun and games.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 27th.
Tuesday, August 30th
Seeds
Time: 9:00am – 10:30am
Ages: 5 -10
Learn about the seeds of different plants.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 28th.
Animals of the Night
Time: 7:30pm – 8:45pm
Ages: All Ages
Walk 1 mile as we explore the woods and lakeshore for owls, deer, frog, and raccoons.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm August 28th.
Wednesday, August 31st
Eyes of the Night
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
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 August 28th.