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 June: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Every Wednesday- 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 children under age 5 are allowed on a cave hike). To go on a cave hike, you must have a reservation. Reservation 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.
Friday, July 1
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. June 30. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Saturday, July 2
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. “Seed Bombs” (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) All Ages
Meet at the mouth of Dunbar Cave to learn a unique way of dispersing native plants; be prepared to get your hands dirty. While we wait for our “seed bombs” to dry, we will play games in this area. Please bring water as this event will be outside. The cave breeze (58°F) will keep us cool!
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 1. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Monday, July 4
7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Evening Trail Hike (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) All Ages
This is an interesting part of the day to hike our trails. See evening wildlife as we get our exercise after the hot part of the day. Bring water and wear good walking shoes.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 3. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Thursday, July 7
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. July 6. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. KIDS MOVIE (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) All Ages
Come utilize our AV room during the hottest part of the day. We will be showing the Lorax Movie for kids and adults of all ages. Feel free to bring popcorn and snacks.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 6. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Night Hike (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) All Ages
Hike the Short Loop Trail as daylight ends and darkness falls. We may see deer, hear owls and frogs. Please wear good walking shoes and bring water and a flashlight.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 6. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Friday, July 8
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. July 7. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Saturday, July 9
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. July 8. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Wednesday, July 13
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. July 12. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Thursday, July 14
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. July 13. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. KIDS MOVIE (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) All Ages
Come utilize our AV room during the hottest part of the day. We will be showing the Lorax Movie for kids and adults of all ages. Feel free to bring popcorn and snacks.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 13. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 15
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. July 14. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
3:00 – 4:00 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. July 14. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Saturday, July 16
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Fire Building (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) Ages 10 – Adult
Tonight we will sharpen our fire building techniques as we learn mixed methods of creating this camping essential. Feel free to bring something to drink, bug spray, and s’mores stuff.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 15. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sunday, July 17
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 Short Loop Trail at Dunbar Cave (1.1 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. July 16. 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. July 16. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Wednesday, July 20
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. July 19. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Night Hike (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) All Ages
Hike the Short Loop Trail as daylight ends and darkness falls. We may see deer, hear owls and frogs. Please wear good walking shoes and bring water and a flashlight.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 19. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Friday, July 22
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. July 22. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Saturday, July 23
12:00 – 4:00 p.m. PARK VOLUNTEER DAY (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) Ages 12 – Adult
Today we will be working on our butterfly garden in front of the Visitor Center. First, we hope to fully remove weeds and non-natives in this area. Second, we want to identify and map out the locations all of the native plants left after weeding process. Bring water and wear bug spray.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 23. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Tuesday, July 26
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. History Hike (Port Royal State Historic Park) 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 (park office).
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 25. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Wednesday, July 27
6:30 – 8:00 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. July 26. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Thursday, July 28
8:00 – 9:30 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. July 27. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 29
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Archaeological Digs (Dunbar Cave State Natural Area) Ages 7 – Adult
Learn about archaeology and the process of dating archaeological finds as we dig for artifacts ourselves. We may get a little dirty, and you may wish to bring water. The program will begin at the mouth of the cave (it’s 58°F breeze will keep us cool).
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 p.m. July 28. Program Leader: Gordon Counts, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger