Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge: A Bat Haven
Witness the nightly exodus of thousands of bats at Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, a vital sanctuary for endangered species.
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, near Scottsboro, Alabama, is a 264-acre sanctuary protecting endangered gray and Indiana bats. While the cave itself is closed to the public, visitors can witness the spectacular evening emergence of thousands of bats from a viewing platform [3, 5].
A brief summary to Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
- Scottsboro, Alabama, 35769, US
- +1256-350-6639
- Visit website
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Arrive at dusk between June and August for the best chance to see the bat emergence [6].
- Bring a flashlight and rain gear or a hat, as bat guano droppings may occur [10].
- Check the moon phase; a full moon can enhance the viewing experience [6].
- The refuge is unstaffed, so plan accordingly [7].
Getting There
-
Driving
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is located off U.S. Highway 72, approximately 7 miles west of Scottsboro, Alabama [5, 6, 8, 11]. From Scottsboro, travel west on Highway 72. Look for a small highway pull-off on the south side of the highway, between mile markers 130 and 131 [6, 12]. Park adjacent to the metal gate, ensuring not to block it [10, 12]. Then, walk the road approximately 100 yards to the cave entrance on your right [10, 12]. There are no fees for visiting the refuge [5, 12].
-
Public Transportation
While direct public transportation to Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is limited, Jackson County Rural Public Transportation (RPT) provides transportation within Jackson County [15, 18]. Contact them at 256-574-6733 at least one day in advance (no later than 2 p.m. the previous day) to arrange a ride [15]. The fare is $5 for adults under 60 and $4 for adults over 60 for the first pick-up of the day [18]. Confirm that the RPT can drop you off near the refuge entrance on Highway 72, from which you can walk the short distance to the cave entrance [10, 12].
Discover more about Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Guntersville Lake
4.4 km
Experience the natural beauty and outdoor adventures at Guntersville Lake, Alabama's stunning recreational paradise.
Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center
10.5 km
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Grant Lookout
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The Gathering Place
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Guntersville Beach
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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