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.
Call (931) 648-5526 for reservations.
Wednesday, September 9 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. TREES Ages 7 – adult
Learn the trees of the Natural Area on this short hike.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 7. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Thursday, September 10 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. PORT ROYAL HISTORY HIKE 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 4:30 September 8. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. FRIENDS OF DUNBAR CAVE MEETING Adults
Join the Friends of Dunbar Cave and help support your park. Meet in AV room of Visitor Center.
Friday, September 11 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. PORT ROYAL HIKE 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 4:30 September 9. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, September 12 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. PORT ROYAL MORNING HIKE 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 4:30 September 10. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EYES OF THE NIGHT 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 4:30 September 10. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Sunday, September 13 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY 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 4:30 September 11. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. BLINDMAN’S TREE HUNT 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 4:30 September 11. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Tuesday, September 15 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. PORT ROYAL HISTORY HIKE 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 4:30 September 13. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Wednesday, September 16 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. EVENING HIKE All ages
We will walk the one mile Short Loop Trail at this cooler time of day.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 14. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Thursday, September 17 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. MYSTERIOUS UNDERGROUND WORLD 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 4:30 September 15. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Friday, September 18 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. NATURE HIKE All ages
Walk the 1 mile Short Loop and learn about the park’s inhabitants.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 16. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. NIGHT HIKE All ages
We will walk the Short Loop Trail as the sun sets and darkness rises– we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures as we go.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 16. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Saturday, September 19 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. CAVE CRITTER MEET AND GREET All Ages
If you’ve missed your chance at a cave tour this year, or didn’t catch some of our critters on the tour you attended, come meet them today at the entrance of the cave.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 17. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. INTERPRETIVE MORNING HIKE Ages 12 – Adult
Enjoy a 2-mile guided tour around the park observing traces of our park wildlife and noting the change in flora as summer ends.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 17. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. DUNBAR CAVE HISTORY Ages 5 – adult
Join us for a walk around the area and learn about Dunbar’s past.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 17. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. PORT ROYAL HIKE All Ages
Learn about Port Royal in the past and see the plants and animals of today. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September17. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Sunday, September 20 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. PORT ROYAL CREEK EXPLORATION Ages 5 – Adult
See some of our creek creatures face to face as we break out the nets and scoop up some of our aquatic fauna. Wear clothes you’re willing to get wet and shoes that can stay on your feet. Fair warning, we’ll be kicking at rocks and flipflops won’t protect your toes.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 18. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. WALK WITH THE RANGER NATURE HIKE All ages
Walk the 1 mile Short Loop and learn about the park’s inhabitants.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 18. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Tuesday, September 22 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. TRAIL OF TEARS AT PORT ROYAL Ages 8 – adult
Join us for a walk on the Trail of Tears. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 September 20. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Wednesday, September 23 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. PORT ROYAL PLANT HIKE All Ages
Learn about Port Royal’s plants. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 21. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. STELLALUNA: A BABY BAT ADVENTURE 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 4:30 September 21. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Friday, September 25 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. TREES Ages 7 – adult
Learn the trees of the Natural Area on this short hike.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 23. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. INSECTS Ages 5 -12
Come out and learn about our six-legged friends in this indoor and outdoor program.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 23. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, September 26 is NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY.
9:00 to 10:00 a.m. RECOVERY TRAIL HIKE All ages
Join Clarksville Tennessee Trails Association and Friends of Dunbar Cave member Suva Bastin for a 2 mile hike on the Recovery Trail. You might see deer, squirrels and who knows what else.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 25.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PORT ROYAL HIKE AND CLEANUP All ages
Join us on the easy 1/2 mile River Bottom Trail as we enjoy the park and do some litter pickup.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 25. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
11:00 a.m. RECOVERY TRAIL HIKE All ages
Join Clarksville Tennessee Trails Association and Friends of Dunbar Cave member Suva Bastin for a 2 mile hike on the Recovery Trail. You might see deer, squirrels and who knows what else.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 25.
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. TRAIL HIKE AND PARK CLEANUP All ages
Hike the one mile trail and learn about the park while we remove litter. We might see or hear deer, owls, and other animals that become active in the evening.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 25. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Sunday, September 27 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY 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 4:30 September 25. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. WILDFLOWER WALK Ages 6 – adult
Learn to identify the late summer wildflowers of Dunbar Cave on this easy walk.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 25. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Monday, September 28 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. NATURE HIKE All ages
Walk the 1 mile Short Loop and learn about the park’s inhabitants.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 26. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Tuesday, September 29 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. THE SECRET WORLD OF BATS 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 4:30 September 27. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. PORT ROYAL HISTORY HIKE 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 4:30 September 27. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Wednesday, September 30 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. NIGHT HIKE All ages
We will walk the Short Loop Trail as the sun sets and darkness rises– we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures as we go.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 September 28. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger