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 Hike, Dunbar Cave History, Night Hike, Sinkhole in a Bottle, Forest Food Web and Fall Hike.
Friday, October 16th
Port Royal Hike
Time: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Learn about the plants and animals of Port Royal on this easy hike. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, October 14th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Saturday, October 17th
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, Ooctober 15th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
What’s Happening Now?
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
Ages: All Ages
Have you noticed our empty lake? Most likely. But do you understand what’s happening in it now? Have your questions answered and learn a little about successional growth and the changing ecosystem in our drained lake bed.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, October 15th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Dunbar Cave History
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Ages: 5 – adult
Join us for a walk around the area and learn about Dunbar’s past.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, October 15th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Night Hike
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: All ages
We will walk the Short Loop Trail as darkness rises– we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures as we go.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, October 15th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Sunday, October 18th
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
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 Required by: 4:30pm, October 16th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Forest Food Web
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 5-12
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, October 16th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Fall Hike
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Ages: All ages
The leaves will be changing, animals will be preparing for winter – walk the 2 mile Recovery Trail with the Ranger.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, October 16th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Monday, October 19th
Fall Port Royal Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Ages: All Ages
Enjoy the crisp fall weather on this easy hike. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, October 17th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Wednesday, October 21st
Fall Port Royal Hike
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Ages: All Ages
Enjoy the crisp fall weather on this easy hike. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, October 19th.
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.
