Annual Muching Day - March 17

Join the Friends of Dunbar Cave for our annual Mulching Day. Volunteers are needed to help maintain our trails and spread mulch from 9 a.m. - noon CT. Please bring gloves and rakes. Pitchforks and wheelbarrows are also needed if you have them. Rain date is March 24. For more information call 931-648-5526.

Dunbar Cave State Park is located 60 minutes northwest of Nashville and about one and a half miles northeast of downtown Clarksville in Montgomery County. Dunbar Cave is the most prominent of several caves located in this designated natural area. In the roomy mouth of the cave, square dances, radio shows, and big band era concerts were once held.

Events and Programs

EVENTS

Cave Tours
Tennessee State Parks has suspended cave tours at Dunbar Cave State Natural Area after a bat from Dunbar Cave tested positive for White Nose Syndrome. Dunbar Cave is closed indefinitely in an effort to take every necessary precaution to isolate the fungus as much as possible in order to protect bat populations at other nearby hibernacula, recognizing that bat-to-bat transmission is still possible.

Feb. 7, Sunset to Moonrise Hike
5:15 - 6:30 p.m. CT. Ages 6 and up, reservations required before 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 6. Cancelled in event of overcast, rainy or snowy conditions. For more information call 931-648-5526.

March 17, 9 a.m. to noon - Mulching Day
Join the Friends of Dunbar Cave to help spread mulch on the trails. Please bring gloves and rakes, pitchforks and wheelbarrows also needed if you have them. (Rain date: March 24.)

May 5 - Spring Fling
Join us as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of State Parks with an all day event of presentations and hikes on natural topics, including birds, plants, snakes, and others. Schedule to be announced. Free to all ages.

July 28 - Cooling at the Cave
We continue the Anniversary Celebration with music, games and refreshments at the cool cave entrance. All ages, free (donations encouraged, T-shirts and postcards available to purchase). Hours TBA.

Other park activities and events, including fishing, hiking and picnic facilities will remain open and available to the public.

PROGRAMS

Friends of Dunbar Cave meet every third Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center.

Dragonflies and Damselflies Checklist

Fishing

Angling is a popular activity on beautiful Swan Lake. The lake is fed by the cold, clear stream that flows from the mouth of Dunbar Cave. Since it is only 15-acres in size, boating and swimming are not permitted. A valid TN Fishing License is required.

Tennessee Fishing Regulations (exit TDEC)
Tennessee State Parks fishing policies

Hiking Trails

There are three trails on the natural area that range from a leisurely walk to a fairly strenuous hike. All trails begin and end at the visitors' center.

Lake Trail: 0.67 mile (easy, partially paved)
Short Loop: 1.1 miles (moderate)
Recovery Trail: 1.9 miles (moderate)

Natural Area

This 110-acre natural area in Montgomery County is honeycombed by caves and sinkholes, the most prominent being Dunbar Cave. This 8.1 mile cave has historical, natural, archaeological and geological significance. Excavations revealed that this cave has been occupied by man for thousands of years, drawn by its constant stream flow and natural air conditioning.

For more information, visit the Natural Areas web site.

Picnic Facilities

The park has seven picnic tables located just behind the visitors' center on a hill overlooking scenic Swan Lake.

Picnic area is not wheelchair accessible.

Visitors Center

Open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tour Buses

Tour buses are welcome, but please contact the park a month in advance.