Clarksville, TN – Dunbar Cave State Natural Area has been a State Park since 1973. The cave and its surrounding 110 acres have considerable scenic, natural and historical significance. The entrance offered shelter to prehistoric Native Americans as far back as 10,000 years.
Dunbar Cave State Natural Area will present many nature programs during the year. There are programs for children and adults.
Some of the upcoming events include: Sights and Sounds of the Night, Port Royal Hike, The Secret World of Bats, Night Hike, Cave Hike, Insects, and Interpretive Morning Hike.
Monday, August 24th
Sights and Sounds of the Night
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Ages: 5 – adult
Bring your flashlight and look and listen for the creatures of the night.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 22nd.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Tuesday, August 25th
Port Royal Hike
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Ages: 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: 4:30pm, August 23rd.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Wednesday, August 26th
The Secret World of Bats
Time: 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Ages: 8 – adult
See bats as we could never see them here through this award-winning nature documentary.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 24th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Thursday, August 27th
Night Hike
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Ages: All ages
We will walk the Short Loop Trail as the sun sets and darkness rises– we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures as we go.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 25th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Friday, August 28th
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
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, 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 instructions on cleaning the shoes so that we do not spread WNS to other areas.
Reservations are required and can be made only during office hours (8:00am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday), and can be made by phone or in person. Hike is limited to 20 persons.
Insects
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 5 -12
Come out and learn about our six-legged friends in this indoor and outdoor program.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 26th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Saturday, August 29th
Interpretive Morning Hike
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: All Ages
Learn about the unique wildlife that can be found right here in our city on this 1 mile morning hike.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 27th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Friday, August 28th for details on cave hikes.
Port Royal Creek Exploration
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Ages: All Ages
See some of our creek creatures 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: 4:30pm, August 27th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Butterfly Garden Stroll
Time: 3:30pm – 4:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Take a short tour through our butterfly garden. We’ll identify our plants and many of the butterflies you see frequenting them.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 27th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Nocturnal Ramble
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Ages: All ages
Take a walk on the dark side (with flashlights) as we look for the animals that are active at night.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 27th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Sunday, August 30th
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: 10 – Adult
If you enjoy our butterfly garden, please come out and help us look after it by weeding. Bring work gloves and water. In the process you’ll learn about our native plants and what we have in our garden. You don’t have to stay the full hour, even 10 minutes will help.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 28th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Friday, August 28th for details on cave hikes.
Volunteer Opportunity
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Ages: 12 – Adult
Our new property has a healthy batch of kudzu and privet! Grab some work gloves and take the week’s frustrations out on an invasive species (looks great on resumes). Bring water and wear bug spray. Eat lunch before you come.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 28th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Dunbar Cave State Park Programs Information
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.
Dunbar Cave State Park is located at 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road, Clarksville Tennessee.
Port Royal State Historic Park is located at 3300 Old Clarksville Springfield Road, Adams, Tennessee.
Call 931.648.5526 for reservations.
