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.
Friday, October 2 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 30. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, October 3 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. INTERPRETIVE MORNING HIKE All Ages
You may have hiked our trails many times, but have you ever taken the time to really look at them? On this guided 1 mile hike we’ll point out the interesting sites our park has to offer.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 OCTOBER 1. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
9:00 a.m. BIRDING/NATURE APPRECIATION HIKE Ages 8 – adult
Join the WARIOTO AUDUBON SOCIETY for this hike – bring your binoculars and meet in the picnic area.
No reservations needed.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PORT ROYAL BOTANICAL HIKE All Ages
Join us on a short ½ mile hike on the River Bottom Trail at Dunbar’s historical sister park. We’ll meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot on the north side of the bridge.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 OCTOBER 1. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. EVENING to NIGHT HIKE All ages
We will walk the one mile Short Loop Trail as the sun sets and nocturnal animals come out.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 1. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Sunday, October 4 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. BUTTERFLY GARDEN STROLL All Ages
Take a short tour through our butterfly garden in full bloom. We’ll identify our plants and many of the butterflies you see frequenting them.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 OCTOBER 2. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
10:30 – 11:30 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 OCTOBER 2. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
12:00 – 1:00 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 October 2. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
2:00 – 3:00 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 October 2. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Tuesday, October 6 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. PORT ROYAL BIRDING HIKE Ages 12 – adult
Bring your binoculars and learn the birds of Port Royal. Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot at Port Royal Historic Area.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 4. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Friday, October 9 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. EVENING HIKE All ages
We will walk the one mile Short Loop Trail as the park animals become more active.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 7. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Saturday, October 10 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 October 8. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Monday, October 12 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. KIDS’ NATURE HIKE Ages 5 – 12
Join is for a hike through the woods to learn about the plants and animals of the Natural Area.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 10. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Tuesday, October 13 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. BEGINNING BIRDING Ages 7 – 12
Bring your binoculars and learn how we can identify birds by sight and sound.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 11. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Wednesday, October 14 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. LITTLE ONES NIGHT HIKE Ages 4 – 7 (and parents)
In case your young ones can’t keep up with our longer hikes, we offer this easy one just for them – we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures as we go.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 12. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Thursday, October 15 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PORT ROYAL HIKE All Ages
Learn about Port Royal’s plants and animals on this easy ½ mile hike. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 13. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Friday, October 16 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. PORT ROYAL HIKE 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 4:30 October 14. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Saturday, October 17 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 OCTOBER 15. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? 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 4:30 OCTOBER 15. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
12:00 – 1:00 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 October 15. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. NIGHT HIKE 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 4:30 October 15. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Sunday, October 18 8:30 – 9:30 a.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 a little about what this means for our city.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 OCTOBER 16. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. FOREST FOOD WEB 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 4:30 OCTOBER 16. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. FALL HIKE 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 4:30 October 16. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Monday, October 19 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. FALL PORT ROYAL HIKE All Ages
Enjoy the crisp fall weather on this easy hike. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 17. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Wednesday, October 21 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. FALL PORT ROYAL HIKE All Ages
Enjoy the crisp fall weather on this easy hike. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 19. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, October 24 5:00 –6:00 p.m. INTRODUCTION TO DUNBAR CAVE SNA Ages 10 – adult
Learn about the Natural Area, past and present, with this indoor presentation.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 22. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Sunday, October 25 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 OCTOBER 26. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PORT ROYAL HISTORY HIKE Ages 5 – Adult
Look at our small park with new appreciation as you imagine that it was nearly Tennessee’s capitol city.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 OCTOBER 26. Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, October 30 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. FALL NATURE HIKE All ages
Walk through the fallen leaves on the 1 mile Short Loop as we enjoy a nice fall day.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 28. Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. NIGHT HIKE All ages
Enjoy the fall woods at night– we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures as we go.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 October 28. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger