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: Trees, Port Royal History Hike, Eyes of the Night, Evening Hike, Port Royal Morning Hike and Blindman’s Tree Hunt.
Wednesday, September 9th
Trees
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Ages: 7 – adult
Learn the trees of the Natural Area on this short hike.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, September 7th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Thursday, September 10th
Port Royal History Hike
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
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, September 8th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
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, September 11th
Port Royal Hike
Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Ages: 12 – adult
Learn the plants and animals of Port Royal. Hike will begin at the River Bottom Trail parking lot at Port Royal Historic Area.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, September 9th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, September 12th
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
Ages: All Ages
Take a hike on the trails offered by Dunbar Cave’s sister park to learn a little about the history of the area and the wildlife seen in the area.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, September 10th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Eyes of the Night
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Ages: 5 – adult
Did you know that the eyes of animals shine with different colors – spiders are emeralds or diamonds, bullfrogs look like opals – in reflected light? Bring your flashlight and join us for this short walk around the grounds to see what we can identify.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, September 10th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Sunday, September 13th
Volunteer Opportunity
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: 10 – Adult
If you’ve ever taken the time to enjoy our butterfly garden, please take a little to come out and help us look after it. We’ll be pulling weeds, so come prepared with work gloves and water.
Many of you know the pains of weeding a garden and we’d appreciate any time you could donate to us. In the process you’ll get to learn a few things about our native plants in the area and what we have available in our garden. Don’t feel obligated to stay the full hour, even 10 minutes will be a great help.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, September 11th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Blindman’s Tree Hunt
Time: 9:30am – 10:00am
Ages: 5 – 10
In some Native American tribes this game was used as a test of manhood. These days it’s just plain fun. Test your memory and your senses as you trace your way back to a place you’ve never seen.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, September 11th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Tuesday, September 15th
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
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, September 13th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Wednesday, September 16th
Evening Hike
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: All ages
We will walk the one mile Short Loop Trail at this cooler time of day.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, September 14th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Thursday, September 17th
Mysterious Underground World
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 5 – adult
We can’t go in the cave this time of year, but you can learn about America’s greatest caverns in this indoor program.
Reservations required by: 4:30pm, September 15th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
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.
