CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – 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 per every three children).

Age limits are definite – please do not sign up a child whom is younger or older than the age limits given.

For reservations: Call (931) 648-5526

Cave Hikes in August:  10:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Every Saturday and Sunday (unless noted otherwise)

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: $11 Ages 13+, $5.50 ages 5-12 (for safety reasons, no child under the age of 5 is allowed on the cave hike). To go on a cave hike, you must have a reservation. Reservations can be made only during office hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F), and can be made by phone or in person. Hike is limited to 20 persons.

 

Wednesday, August 10

            7:00 – 8:00 p.m.    Evening Trail Hike (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                      All Ages

Beat the heat as we walk the Short Loop Trail as day turns to evening. Learn about the history of the park and maybe even see some wildlife! Wear good walking shoes and bring water.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 9.             Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger

 

Sunday, August 14

            12:00 – 1:30 p.m.   Creek Stomp (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                  Ages 8 – Adult

 Come check out our local creek! We will be learning about all the aquatic organisms we collect, and how important these flowing waters are to our lives. WE WILL BE GETTING WET. So bring a swimsuit or clothing that may get wet. You may also want to bring water and sun screen.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 13.                    Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

 

Monday, August 15

            7:45 – 8:45 p.m.   Fire(FLY)works at the Park (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)          All Ages

 Fireflies should be plentiful this time of year, so come check them out with us. We will play games and learn about night time nature. Bring bug spray and a flashlight.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 14.                    Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

 

Tuesday, August 16

            7:45 – 9:00 p.m. Eyes of the Night (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)               Ages 5 – Adults

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 a short walk around the grounds to see what kinds of creatures we can find. Wear bug spray as the light will attract insects.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 15.                    Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

 

Wednesday, August 17

            7:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Night Hike (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                                      All Ages

Hike the Short Loop Trail as day ends and darkness falls. We may see deer, hear owls and frogs. Please wear good hiking shoes and bring water and a flashlight.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 16            Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger

 

Saturday, August 20.   1st ANNUAL HUMMINGBIRD AND BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL

 

9:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Hummingbird Banding  (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)              All Ages

See our hummers up close during the banding demonstration by Cyndi Routledge and the Crew of Southeastern Avian Research.  Stick around for the rest of the day’s festivities.

RESERVATIONS NOT NEEDED.  

        

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Cave Tour (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                        Ages 5 – Adult

Learn about Dunbar Cave and the cave by taking our one of a kind Cave tour. (Details above).

RESERVATIONS NEEDED IN ADVANCE.                    

 

9:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Arts and Crafts (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                             All Ages

Join Warioto Audubon and the Friends of Dunbar Cave in our Children’s Arts and Crafts Activities. Adult are also encouraged to participate.

RESERVATIONS NOT NEEDED.           

 

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Butterfly Talk (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                            All Ages

Join John Froeschauer, in our AV room, as he discusses Tennessee’s native butterflies and other related topics.

RESERVATIONS NOT NEEDED.  

             

11:30 – 12:30 p.m.  Hummingbird Talk (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                   All Ages

Join Cyndi Routledge, in our AV room, as she discusses Tennessee’s native hummingbirds and other related topics.

RESERVATIONS NOT NEEDED.  

 

 

 

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Hummingbird Banding   (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)              All Ages

See our hummers up close for a second time during the banding demonstration by Cyndi Routledge and the Crew of Southeastern Avian Research.

RESERVATIONS NOT NEEDED.           

 

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  Guided Hike (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                                  All Ages

Join our park staff in a guided hike around the park and learn about local geology, ecology, history and human impacts that have affected Dunbar Cave State Natural Area. Hike will be utilizing trails around park so wear shoes good for hiking and bring water.

RESERVATIONS NOT NEEDED.           

 

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Plant Hike (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                                      All Ages

Learn “How to attract hummers, butterflies, and pollinators to your yard” from presentation by Polly Rooker.

RESERVATIONS NOT NEEDED.           

 

Sunday, August 21

            7:00 – 8:15 a.m.   Bird Walk (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                          Ages 10 – Adult

Bring your binoculars to learn some of the birds that call this area home. This is not a strenuous hike but proper walking/hiking shoes are required. We will meet up and begin at Dunbar Cave’s visitor center.                                           RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 20.                    Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

 

            2:00 – 3:15 p.m.   Tricky Tracks (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                               All Ages

 Learn several animal tracks found around Tennessee and the stories that can be told my examining them. We will also see the stories that we can create using animal tracks. This activity will take place inside our AV room of the visitor’s center.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 20.                    Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

 

Tuesday, August 23

            6:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Trail of Tears (Port Royal State Historic Park)                                                All Ages

Come out to Port Royal as we learn about the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation along our preserved section of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Meet at the River Bottom Trailhead parking area on the North side of the highway bridge (opposite side of the river from the canoe access). Bring good walking shoes and wear bug spray.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 22.                       Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger

 

Saturday, August 27

            7:30 – 9:00 p.m.   Camp Fire Night (Port Royal State Historic Park)                              All Ages

 Join us for a night of fun at Port Royal State Historical Park. Activities for this event include camp fire and field games, ghost stories, and s’mores. You should bring: bug spray, a flashlight, and something to drink.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 26.                    Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

 

Sunday, August 28

8:00 – 9:15 a.m.   Morning Hike (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area)                    Ages 10 – Adult

 Get your daily exercise before the heat! We will be hiking the Recovery Trail at Dunbar Cave (1.9 miles). The hike will be at a slow pace but may be slightly strenuous due to terrain. Please have shoes that are good for hiking and clothing that can get dirty. We will meet up at the visitor center.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 27.                    Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

 

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  River Bottom Hike (Port Royal State Historic Park)                           All Ages

Learn about Port Royal State Historic Park (Dunbar Cave’s sister park) and the role it played throughout history and the Trail of Tears. We will observe plants and animals along the way. This is an easy 0.5 mile hike but please have proper hiking shoes and water. Meet at the River Bottom Trail Parking lot on the north side of the bridge.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 27.                    Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

 

Wednesday, August 31

            3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  History Hike (port Royal State Historic Hike)                                      All Ages

Join us at Port Royal as we learn about the area and its role as one of the first towns in Middle Tennessee. Meet at the parking lot behind the brick lodge building.

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. August 30.                       Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger