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 during the year. There are programs for children and adults.
Some of the upcoming events include: Port Royal Birds, Snake Stalking, Cave Hike, Port Royal Hike and the Secret World of Bats.
Tuesday, July 7th
Port Royal Birds
Time: 6:30am – 8:00am
Ages: Adults
Bring your binoculars to Port Royal Historic Park and learn some of the birds. Meet at Visitor Center lot.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, July 5th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Snake Stalking
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: All Ages
On this one-mile hike we’ll try to track down some of our more elusive reptiles. No promises that we’ll find any, but that’s half the fun.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, July 5th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
Due to the presence of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in our cave, clean caving protocols are in effect. Each person must bring two pairs of shoes- boots or shoes with good traction as the cave floor is very muddy and slippery, and any type of footwear to change into so that the WNS fungus is not carried out on your shoes.
The park will provide bags and you will be given instructions on how to clean the shoes so that we do not spread WNS to other areas. The hike is not handicap accessible and not recommended for people with mobility issues.
Every person on a cave hike must sign a release of liability waiver, and must bring a working flashlight.
Cost: $10.00 ages 13 +, $5.00 ages 5 – 12 (for safety reasons, no children under age 5 are allowed on a cave hike).
To go on a cave hike, you must have a reservation. Reservation can be made only during office hours (8:00am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday), and can be made by phone or in person. Hike is limited to 20 persons.
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Ages: All Ages
This half-mile hike will introduce you to Dunbar Cave’s little-known sister park. We’ll discuss the role it played in the Trail of Tears and observe what most forests in Tennessee looked like years ago. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot on the north side of the bridge.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, July 6th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Port Royal Hike
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Learn the role Port Royal played in history and the Trail of Tears and observe the plants and animals of today. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot on the north side of the bridge.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, July 6th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Wednesday, July 8th
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Tuesday, July 7th for details on cave hikes.
The Secret World of Bats
Time: 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Ages: 8 – adult
See bats as we could never see them here through this award-winning nature documentary. We will be inside the cool Visitor Center – come early and see our Museum!
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, July 5th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Morning Hike
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: All Ages
Dodge the afternoon heat while still getting some exercise in with a morning hike. We’ll hike the one-mile short trail and discuss the animals and plants we see along the way.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, July 7th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sinkhole in a Bottle
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Ages: 5-15
See our “karst topography” in action by creating a sinkhole inside of a 2-liter bottle and learn a little about what this means for our city.
Reservations Requested by: 4:30pm, July 7th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Thursday, July 9th
Tree Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 7- adult
Learn the trees of the Natural Area on this short hike.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, July 7th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Tuesday, July 7th for details on cave hikes.
Herpetological Morning Hike
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: All Ages
Come out for a morning of hunting down our park reptiles and amphibians.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, July 8th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Forest Food Web
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 5-15
Put yourself in the shoes of the animals in our forest. Find your prey, face the challenges of pollution, and see what happens when humans interfere.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, July 8th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 10th
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Tuesday, July 7th for details on cave hikes.
Saturday, July 11th
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Tuesday, July 7th for details on cave hikes.
Dunbar Cave State Park Programs Information
Programs are free unless noted otherwise. All programs require reservations by the Deadline Listed. Programs with no reservations by the deadline will be 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).
Age limits are definite – please do not sign up a child who is younger or older than the age limits given.
Dunbar Cave State Park is located at 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road, Clarksville Tennessee.
Port Royal State Historic Park is located at 3300 Old Clarksville Springfield Road, Adams, Tennessee.
Call 931.648.5526 for reservations.
