Dunbar Cave has activities for all ages in August

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 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.

RELATED CONTENT Important Cave Hike Information

Thursday, August 6
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
PORT ROYAL TRAIL OF TEARS
Ages 7-adult
Learn about the Trail of Tears at Port Royal Historic Area. Hike will begin at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 5.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

6:30 – 7:30 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 August 5.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Friday, August 7
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

2:30 – 4:00 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 August 5.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

7:00 – 8:00 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 August 5.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

Saturday, August 8
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
HERPETOLOGICAL MORNING HIKE
All Ages
Come out for a morning of hunting down our park reptiles and amphibians.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 6.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
PORT ROYAL CREEK EXPLORATION
All Ages
See some of our creek creatures 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 August 6.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Saturday, August 8
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
CAVE CRITTER MEET AND GREET
Ages 5 – Adult
Missing out on our cave hikes and the creatures we see? Or did your tour lack a cave critter or two? Take this chance to see some of our cave guests and cave lovers up close and personal, and learn a little about how they live their lives.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 6.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Sunday, August 9
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 August 7.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ages 12 – Adult
Our new property has a healthy batch of kudzu and privet! Grab some work gloves and take the week’s frustrations out on an invasive species (looks great on resumes). Bring water and wear bug spray. Eat lunch before you come.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 7.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
DUNBAR CAVE HISTORY
Ages 5 to adult
Join us for a walk around the area and learn about Dunbar’s past.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 7.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

Tuesday, August 11
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
PORT ROYAL PLANT HIKE
Ages 7- adult
Learn about the plants of Port Royal. Hike will begin at the River Bottom Trail parking lot at Port Royal Historic Area.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 9.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

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 August 9.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Wednesday, August 12
6:30 – 7:30 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 August 10.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

Thursday, August 13
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, August 14
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
MYSTERIOUS UNDERGROUND WORLD
Ages 5 – adult
If you aren’t able to go in the cave, take this chance to learn about America’s greatest caverns in this indoor program.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 12.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Saturday, August 15
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
SINKHOLE IN A BOTTLE
Ages 5 – 15
See our “karst topography” in action by creating a sinkhole inside of a 2-liter bottle and learn what this means for our city.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 13.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
MUSHROOM MARCH
All Ages
Enjoy a 1 mile hike while we identify some of our deadliest decomposers. We will not be eating any mushrooms.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 13.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Sunday, August 16
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 August 14.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

Sunday, August 16
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ages 12 – Adult
Our new property has a healthy batch of kudzu and privet! Grab some work gloves and take the week’s frustrations out on an invasive species (looks great on resumes). Bring water and wear bug spray. Eat lunch before you come.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 14.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Monday, August 17
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
CAVE ENTRANCE EXPLORATION
Ages 4 – adult
Bring a flashlight and see what animals call the cave entrance home.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 15.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Tuesday, August 18
7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
DAY INTO NIGHT HIKE
All ages
Join us as we walk the Short Loop Trail as the sun sets and darkness rises– we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 16.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

Thursday, August 20
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
PORT ROYAL BIRD HIKE
Adults
Bring your binoculars and learn about the birds of Port Royal. Meet at parking lot next to Visitor Center at Port Royal.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 18.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Friday, August 21
6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
BIRD HIKE
Adults
Bring your binoculars and learn about our feathered inhabitants.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 19.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
PORT ROYAL HISTORY HIKE
Ages 8 – adult
Meet at the upper parking lot next to the Visitor Center to learn about the history of Port Royal Historic Area.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 19.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

Saturday, August 22
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ages 10 – Adult
If you enjoy our butterfly garden, please come out and help us look after it by weeding. Bring work gloves and water. In the process you’ll learn about our native plants and what we have in our garden. You don’t have to stay the full hour, even 10 minutes will help.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 20.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

1:30 – 2:00 p.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 August 20.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
INTERPRETIVE AFTERNOON HIKE
All Ages
On this guided 1 mile hike we’ll point out the interesting sights our park has to offer.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 20.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

7:30 – 8:30 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 August 20.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

Sunday, August 23
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ages 10 – Adult
If you enjoy our butterfly garden, please come out and help us look after it by weeding. Bring work gloves and water. In the process you’ll learn about our native plants and what we have in our garden. You don’t have to stay the full hour, even 10 minutes will help.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 21.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
See Saturday, August 1 for details on cave hikes.

12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ages 12 – Adult
Our new property has a healthy batch of kudzu and privet! Grab some work gloves and take the week’s frustrations out on an invasive species (looks great on resumes). Bring water and wear bug spray. Eat lunch before you come.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 21.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Sunday, August 23
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
SINKHOLES
Ages 9 – adult
Clarksville is built on caves and sinkholes – come out and learn about these holes in the ground on this short hike.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 21. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

Monday, August 24
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE NIGHT
Ages 5 – adult
Bring your flashlight and look and listen for the creatures of the night.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 22.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Tuesday, August 25
9:00 – 10:00 a.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 August 23.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger

Wednesday, August 26
3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
THE SECRET WORLD OF BATS
Ages 8 – adult
See bats as we could never see them here through this award-winning nature documentary.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 24.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Thursday, August 27
7:30 – 8:30 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 August 25. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger

Friday, August 28
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
See Saturday, August 1 for details on cave hikes.

6:30 – 7:30 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 August 26.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Saturday, August 29
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
INTERPRETIVE MORNING HIKE
All Ages
Learn about the unique wildlife that can be found right here in our city on this 1 mile morning hike.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 27.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
See Saturday, August 1 for details on cave hikes.

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
PORT ROYAL CREEK EXPLORATION
All Ages
See some of our creek creatures 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 August 27.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
BUTTERFLY GARDEN STROLL
All Ages
Take a short tour through our butterfly garden. We’ll identify our plants and many of the butterflies you see frequenting them.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 27.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
NOCTURNAL RAMBLE
All ages
Take a walk on the dark side (with flashlights) as we look for the animals that are active at night.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 August 27.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Sunday, August 30
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ages 10 – Adult
If you enjoy our butterfly garden, please come out and help us look after it by weeding. Bring work gloves and water. In the process you’ll learn about our native plants and what we have in our garden. You don’t have to stay the full hour, even 10 minutes will help.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 AUGUST 28.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult

12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ages 12 – Adult
Our new property has a healthy batch of kudzu and privet! Grab some work gloves and take the week’s frustrations out on an invasive species (looks great on resumes). Bring water and wear bug spray. Eat lunch before you come.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 AUGUST 28.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Thursday, August 31
7:30 – 8:30 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 August 29.