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 Dunbar Cave reopened for public tours
Thursday, July 2
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
MORNING HIKE
All Ages
Dodge the afternoon heat while still getting some exercise in with a morning hike. We’ll hike the one-mile short trail and discuss the animals and plants we see along the way.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 1.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
Thursday, July 2
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
All Ages
If you’ve ever taken the time to enjoy our butterfly garden, please take time to 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 REQUESTED BY 4:30 July 1.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
8:30 – 9:15 p.m.
PORT ROYAL FIREFLY WATCH
All Ages
You’ve seen these little lanterns everywhere: in your yard, on the roadside, at Dunbar Cave. But have you ever seen hundreds lighting up the night like Christmas lights? You will if you join us at Port Royal tonight. Learn about these mysterious creatures and see them away from the lights of the city. Meet at the River Bottom parking lot. Wear bug spray, lawn chairs optional.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 1.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Friday, July 3
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
MORNING HIKE
All Ages
Exercising is always easier in a group. Enjoy the changing scenery you’ll never get on a treadmill and hike the 2 mile Recovery Trail with us. We’ll stop periodically to point out our native plants and animals.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 2.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
BUTTERFLY CREATION
Ages 5-15
As a follow-up program to our June caterpillar and cocoon creation, we’ll be creating the butterflies which emerge from them and watching a few short videos about our more interesting pollinators. Even if you were unable to join us for the caterpillar and cocoon activities, feel free to come and make one of our native butterflies to take home.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 2.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
7:00- 8:15 p.m.
BIRD WALK
Adults
Bring your boniculars and we’ll stroll around the grounds and look for the birds of summer.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 2.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, July 4
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 one-mile hike we’ll point out the unusual sights our park has to offer.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 2.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
Saturday, July 4
2:30 – 4:00 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? 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 July 2.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
FIRE(FLY) WORKS HIKE
All ages
Join us on a 1-mile walk through the woods to see these little lanterns of the night put on a show.
RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 July 2.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Sunday, July 5
12:00 – 3:30 p.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ages 12-Adult
Our new property has a healthy batch of kudzu and privet! If you’re looking for a way to help your state park, grab some work gloves and we’ll give you the chance to take the week’s frustrations out on an invasive species (looks great on resumes). Bring water and wear bug spray.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 3.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Tuesday, July 7 6:30 – 8:00 a.m.
PORT ROYAL BIRDS
Adults
Bring your binoculars to Port Royal Historic Park and learn some of the birds. Meet at Visitor Center lot.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 5.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
SNAKE STALKING
All Ages
On this one-mile hike we’ll try to track down some of our more elusive reptiles. No promises that we’ll find any, but that’s half the fun.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 5.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
PORT ROYAL HIKE
All Ages
This half-mile hike will introduce you to Dunbar Cave’s little-known sister park. We’ll discuss the role it played in the Trail of Tears and observe what most forests in Tennessee looked like years ago. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot on the north side of the bridge.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 6.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
PORT ROYAL HIKE
All Ages
Learn the role Port Royal played in history and the Trail of Tears and observe the plants and animals of today. Meet at the River Bottom Trail parking lot on the north side of the bridge.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 6.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Wednesday, July 8
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
7:00 – 7:45 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. We will be inside the cool Visitor Center – come early and see our Museum!
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 5.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Thursday, July 9
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
TREE HIKE
Ages 7- adult
Learn the trees of the Natural Area on this short hike.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY 4:30 July 7.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
Friday, July 10
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult
Saturday, July 11
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CAVE HIKE
Ages 5 – adult