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 Plant Hike, Cave Hike, Port Royal History Hike, Mysterious Underground World, Sinkhole in a Bottle and Mushroom March.
Tuesday, August 11th
Port Royal Plant Hike
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Ages: 7- adult
Learn about the plants of Port Royal. Hike will begin at the River Bottom Trail parking lot at Port Royal Historic Area.
Reservations Required By: 4:30pm, August 9th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Stellaluna: A Baby Bat Adventure
Time: 3:30pm – 4:00pm
Ages: 4 – 11
Enjoy the story of Stellaluna, a baby bat who gets lost – and learn about bats, too, in this indoor program.
Reservations Required By: 4:30pm, August 9th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Wednesday, August 12th
Port Royal History Hike
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 5 – adult
Learn about the past inhabitants of the town of Port Royal. Hike will begin at the parking lot next to the Visitor Center.
Reservations Required By: 4:30pm, August 10th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Thursday, August 13th
Friends of Dunbar Cave Meeting
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: Adults
Join the Friends of Dunbar Cave and help support your park. Meet in AV room of Visitor Center.
Friday, August 14th
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
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 bring a working flashlight. Cost: $10.00 ages 13 +, $5.00 ages 5 – 12 (for safety reasons, no children under age 5 are allowed.)
Reservations are required and 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.
Mysterious Underground World
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 5 – adult
If you aren’t able to go in the cave, take this chance to learn about America’s greatest caverns in this indoor program.
Reservations Required By: 4:30pm, August 12th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, August 15th
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Friday, August 14th for details on cave hikes.
Sinkhole in a Bottle
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 5 – 15
See our “karst topography” in action by creating a sinkhole inside of a 2-liter bottle and learn what this means for our city.
Reservations Required By: 4:30pm, August 13th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Mushroom March
Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Enjoy a 1 mile hike while we identify some of our deadliest decomposers. We will not be eating any mushrooms.
Reservations Required By: 4:30pm, August 13th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sunday, August 16th
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: 5 -Adult
This morning we’ll be picking up trash around the park and on the trails. Gloves and trash bags will be available.
Reservations Required By: 4:30pm, August 14th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Friday, August 14th for details on cave hikes.
Volunteer Opportunity
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Ages: 12 – Adult
Our new property has a healthy batch of kudzu and privet! Grab some work gloves and take the week’s frustrations out on an invasive species (looks great on resumes). Bring water and wear bug spray. Eat lunch before you come.
Reservations Required By: 4:30pm, August 14th
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
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.
