CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Dunbar Cave State Park has released its cave hike schedule for the summer.
Friday May 27: 10 a.m.
Sunday May 29: 10 a.m.
Monday May 30: 10 a.m.
In June and July, cave hikes will be Wednesday through Sunday at 10 a.m.
In August, cave hikes will be Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m.
Cost is $11 for adults (age 13 and up) and $5.50 for children (ages 5-12). No children under 5 are allowed in the cave.
To go on a cave hike you must have a reservation.
Reservations can be made Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling the park office at 931-648-5526.
Important information about visiting the cave can be found below the video.
CAVE HIKE RULES AND INFORMATION
Every person going in the cave must have a working flashlight brought by you. The park will not supply flashlights.
Guides recommend installing fresh batteries before you come to insure that the light functions for the length of the tour. If you do not have a flashlight, you will not be allowed into the cave.
Every person going into the cave must bring two pairs of shoes/boots: One pair to wear inside the cave and a clean pair to put on when leaving the cave. More information on this is included in the Clean Caving Protocol handout. The cave floor is wet and slippery. You should wear boots or sturdy walking shoes with good traction. NO SANDALS OR FLIP-FLOPS IN THE CAVE. The reason for this measure is to prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome. A plastic bag will be provided by the park to place your shoes in. If you do not bring a spare pair of shoes you will not be allowed into the cave.
Cameras are not allowed in the cave due to the presence of Native American cave art which is light sensitive to flashes. Bags, backpacks, and purses are also not allowed due to the chance of contamination from cave mud and for security reasons.
Every person going into the cave must sign a Release of Liability form. If a person is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign. The cave floor is mud. It can be very slippery and you must accept the risks to your person before going in. For this reason the cave is not handicap accessible and not recommended for people with mobility issues.
If you have to cancel your reservation you must give 24 hours’ notice. This is so there is time to open those slots to others. If you do not give 24 hours’ notice you will not get your money refunded as those slots will go unused.
You must check in at the park office in the Visitor Center NO LATER than 9:30 a.m. If you are not checked in by 9:30 you will lose your reservation. You will probably want to arrive even earlier to make sure you find a parking spot. Parking is limited and on a nice day they fill up quickly.
When you check in you will turn in a signed Release of Liability form (it helps to pre-sign it before you arrive to save time) and receive your plastic bags for your shoes. You then have time to visit the restroom (there are none in the cave and you will be in there for over an hour) and have time to walk down to the cave entrance for the hike to begin.