Cathedral Caverns State Park RV & Campground Guide
Alabama
- Home
- State Parks
- Alabama
- Cathedral Caverns State Park
The highlight of a visit to Alabama's Cathedral Caverns State Park is a tour of the massive, 3-acre karst cave that gives the park its name. While touring this unique natural formation, you'll see an underground waterfall; an underground river; and one of the largest stalagmites in the world, known as the Goliath. Nearby, the Marshall Space Flight Center in the town of Huntsville is also worth a visit when you are in the area.
Spring 45-71 F
Summer 66-83 F
Fall 58-83 F
Winter 31-52 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cathedral Caverns State Park
RV campers will find 25 sites with full hookups that can accommodate rigs up to 55 feet in length. Eleven additional sites with water and electric hookups only are also available at Cathedral Caverns State Park. These sites are slightly smaller and can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet long. In addition, five primitive sites without any amenities are available. All the sites come with a fire ring and a picnic table. Amenities available to overnight campers include a laundry facility and a bathhouse with restrooms and showers. Cabins, primitive backcountry sites and ADA-accessible sites are also available. As a bonus, overnight campers can get a $5 discount when purchasing a tour of the caverns.
What to Do at
Cathedral Caverns State Park
In addition to touring the fascinating caverns, you can also enjoy fishing, hiking, camping and more during your visit to this Alabama state park. Stop by the welcome center when you enter the park to purchase your cave tour tickets, pick up a trail map and learn more about all the adventures this state park has to offer. Note that self-guided tours of the caves are not permitted, so you must purchase a tour ticket if you'd like to go inside.
Fishing
A pond near the campground is stocked with a variety of fish you can catch, including bass, catfish and bream. In the many streams that meander through the park, you might also be able to catch rainbow trout as well. You'll need an Alabama freshwater fishing license before you cast your line.
Geocaching
Alabama State Parks encourage geocaching, and there are usually several geocaches you can hunt for during your visit to Cathedral Caverns.
Stargazing
The park is in a relatively remote area of Alabama, making it an excellent spot for observing the night sky. If you have a telescope or even a strong set of binoculars, the skies are dark enough that you should be able to spot a galaxy or a nebula as well as the Milky Way.
Flora and Fauna
The caves themselves are home to several different species of bats, including the eastern pipistrelle and the southeastern myotis. In the park's forested areas aboveground, you can spot several woodland bird species, including owls, warblers, thrushes and woodpeckers. In the forested areas, avid plant spotters will be able to identify beech, yellow poplar, oak, hickory and maple trees. Ferns flourish in and around the wetter cave environment, and you'll see plenty of moss and lichen as well. Native shrubbery along the forest floor includes rhododendron, dogwood and mountain laurel. While exploring the trails, you can keep an eye out for seasonal wildflowers, such as coneflowers, trilliums, black-eyed Susans and Queen Anne's lace.
Hiking
There are five and a half miles of trails you can enjoy while visiting Cathedral Caverns. Each of the trails has a color code with colored markers along the route, making them easy to follow for novice hikers. For an uphill climb, you can combine the Yellow and Green Trails into a loop for a 2.5-mile-long adventure up Pisgah Mountain. If you're looking for a longer adventure, you can easily plan an overnight backpacking trip and stay at one of the park's backcountry camping sites.
Climbing
Many people come to Cathedral Caverns State Park to go rock climbing. Bring your gear, and scale the assortment of rocks and boulders that sit near the campground.
Biking
Bring your bike to enjoy the great outdoors as you cycle along the campground roads and to and from the trailhead and the caverns.
How to Get to
Cathedral Caverns State Park
The closest major city to the park is Huntsville, AL. From Huntsville, take I-565 East, and then merge onto US-72 East. You'll take this east to Country Road 63 in Woodville. Then turn right on this road, also known as the Cathedral Caverns Highway. After about three miles, turn left onto Cathedral Caverns Road.
Entering Cathedral Caverns State Park
When you enter the park on Cathedral Caverns Road, the hiking trail will be on the right. Take a right on Cave Road and then Gurley Drive in order to reach the campground. If you're looking for the caves, head straight to the end of Cave Road. Ample space for parking can be found near the cabins. There is a paved ADA-accessible path that goes 1.3 miles deep into the cave. Take caution as there are some steep, slippery areas. The Grotto cabin is also ADA-accessible. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cathedral Caverns State Park Cave Tour (visitors 13 and older) : $20.0
Cathedral Caverns State Park Cave Tour (children 5-12) : $9.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Cathedral Caverns State Park
During the school year, particularly from February to May, many local school groups visit the park in the morning to tour the caves, so it can get a little busy on those days. The park is open year-round except for holiday closures on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Evenings can be chilly in the winter, so plan accordingly if you'll be staying overnight.
If you're exploring the underground caves, you're almost guaranteed to encounter a large population of bats. Eastern gray squirrels and eastern chipmunks are often spotted in and around the trees as well. Other animals you might spot during your visit include box turtles, opossums, water snakes, white-tailed deer, raccoons and even armadillos.
Yes. The sites that have full hookups are reserved for RV camping only. RVs are also welcome to stay at the campground's 11 sites that have water and electrical hookups only.
Reservations can be made in advance either online or by telephone. Primitive campsites start at $13 per night while those with amenities start at $23 per night.
Yes, pets are welcome at Cathedral Caverns State Park, even in the overnight campgrounds. Keep in mind that you'll need to always have your furry friends on a leash, and they are not allowed in some areas, including the park office and on the cave tours.