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Cathedral Caverns State Park: An Underground Wonderland

Discover Alabama's underground wonderland: Cathedral Caverns State Park, a natural masterpiece of geological wonders and historical significance.

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Explore the depths of Cathedral Caverns State Park in Woodville, Alabama, home to one of the world's largest commercial cave entrances and stunning geological formations. Discover massive stalagmites, a 'frozen' waterfall, and a stalactite forest within this natural history preserve.

A brief summary to Cathedral Caverns State Park

  • Monday 9 am-5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-5:30 pm
  • Friday 9 am-5:30 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-5:30 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-5:30 pm

Local tips

  • Reservations for cave tours are highly recommended, especially during peak season and school field trip periods [1, 7, 12, 15].
  • Wear comfortable shoes with good traction, as the cave floor can be damp and slippery [11].
  • Bring a light jacket or sweater, as the cave maintains a constant temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit [1, 5, 13, 15].
  • Consider visiting in the afternoon to avoid the morning rush of school groups [7, 12, 14].
  • Explore the park's hiking trails and gemstone mining activities for a complete outdoor experience [1, 2, 13, 15].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Cathedral Caverns State Park is located at 637 Cave Rd, Woodville, AL 35776 [2, 11]. From Huntsville, it's approximately a 30-minute scenic drive southeast [2]. From Scottsboro, the park is about 30 minutes southwest [12]. From Guntersville, it is about 16 miles away [9]. The park is easily accessible by car, with ample parking available near the Visitor Center [2, 10, 11, 14]. Follow Cathedral Caverns Road to the park entrance [10]. Parking is free [11]. Be aware that the parking lot can fill up quickly during peak season [10].

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Discover more about Cathedral Caverns State Park

Cathedral Caverns State Park, nestled in Kennamer Cove, Alabama, offers a captivating journey into the subterranean world [4]. Originally known as Bats Cave, Jacob Gurley developed the area as a tourist attraction in the 1950s, renaming it Cathedral Caverns due to its cathedral-like appearance [1, 4, 5, 15]. The State of Alabama acquired the park in 1987, officially opening it as a state park in 2000 [1, 2, 4, 15]. The cave's massive entrance, measuring 126 feet wide and 25 feet high, is considered one of the largest commercial cave openings in the world [1, 2, 5, 6, 13, 15]. Inside, visitors can marvel at 'Goliath,' one of the world's largest stalagmites, standing 45 feet tall with a circumference of 243 feet [1, 2, 6]. Other notable features include a 'frozen waterfall,' a stalactite forest, and an improbable 27-foot-tall, 3-inch-wide stalagmite [1, 6, 15]. The park encompasses 493 acres, offering marked hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts [1, 2, 13, 15]. Gemstone mining is another popular activity, allowing visitors to sift through mining dirt to discover various gemstones [1, 2, 13, 15]. The cave maintains a comfortable 60 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making it an ideal destination regardless of the season [1, 5, 13, 15]. Cathedral Caverns has a rich history, with archaeological excavations revealing Native American occupation dating back thousands of years [4]. During the Civil War, the Kennamer family even sought refuge in the cave after their home was burned down [4]. The caverns have also appeared in motion pictures, including 'Secrets of the Phantom Caverns' (1983) and Disney's 'Tom and Huck' (1995) [4]. Today, visitors can explore the cave on guided tours, which last approximately 90 minutes and cover 1.5 miles [5, 7, 13, 14]. The paved path is wheelchair and stroller-friendly, ensuring accessibility for all [5, 11].

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