Originally christened "Bat Cave," Cathedral Caverns was renamed because of its Cathedral-like display. The state bought the site in 1987 and it was officially turned into an Alabama State Park in 2000.
The main feature of the park is the large fourteen acre cave that is open for tours year round with many unique features that you can read about below.
Even though the wondrous cave would be enough to attract visitors and spelunking enthusiasts to the site by itself. The park also features gem mining, camping, multiple hiking trails, and more of which you would expect a first rate State Park to have.
Park Information
Information
Hours of Operation: 9:00am to sundown.
Cost: Varying see below.
Area: 461 acres.
Elevation: 764 ft (233 m).
Established: 2000.
State: Alabama.
County: Marshall.
Phone: 256-728-8193
Address: 637 Cave Road Woodville,
AL 35769
Directions
Trail Map
Activities
Hiking: Yes.
Camping: Yes.
Fires Allowed: Yes.
Fishing: No.
Biking: Yes.
Swimming: No.
Boating: No.
Horseback Riding: No.
ATVs: No.
Hunting: No.
Spelunking: Yes.
Rock Climbing: No.
Dogs: On leash. Not in cave.
Restrooms: Yes.
Showers: Yes.
Lodging: No.
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
Stroller Friendly: Yes.
Hiking Trails
There are five and a half miles of trails split between four trails within the park. They are labeled by color.
Gray Trail: 1.1 Miles.
Green Trail: 1.8 Miles.
Yellow Trail: 1.5 Miles.
Blue Trail: 1.2 Miles.
About the Caverns
Cathedral Caverns first stint as a tourist attraction was from 1955 to 1974 owned and ran by Jacob "Jay" Gurley. The property was then sold to Tom German who in 1987 sold the property to the State of Alabama.
It took Alabama until 2000 to procure the funding and make the required renovations to add it to the Alabama State Parks System.
Obviously though, Jacob "Jay" Gurley was not the first to stumble upon the cavern. Archaeological excavations in the cavern have found that American Indians have used the cave in various ways as far back as 7000 BC. This makes it one old tourist attraction.
As you approach the cave the first thing that you see is the 126 feet wide by 25 feet high entrance.
Inside the cave you will find much more to admire. First of which, is the fact that cave stays at a cool 60 degrees all year round making it a great place to explore in the hot and humid summer months.
The cave features one of the largest stalagmites in the world with a circumference of 243 feet and towering at 45 feet tall. It has been nicknamed Goliath.
There is also a large flowstone, Mystery River, and what is called the Big Room.
Admission Fee:
Adults: $19.00
Children 5 - 12 years of age: $9.00
4 years and younger: Free
CAVE TOUR TIMES:
Tour time is approximately 90 minutes and is about a 1.5 mile long trip.
Times and fees may change at any time.
September 1st - March 14th
10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
March 15th - August 31st
10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Camping and Accommodations
At Cathedral Caverns State Park you will find primitive camping sites, sites with water and electic hookups, as well as backcountry camping.
The primitive camping sites are on a loop road with a spot to park your vehicle. Most have a fire ring and picnic table.
There are RV and eleven improved campsites with water and electricity hookups that are closer to the cave entrance.
There are two backcountry sites that are about a 3/4 mile hike in. Both sites are quite large and can accommodate very large groups. All food and drink is pack in pack out.
Camping Fees:
Primitive: $15.00
Improved: $22.00
Backcountry: $5.00
Other Activities
After your cave spelunking adventure, you can continue your geology lesson with gemstone mining on site at the cave.
You can purchase a bag or bucket of dirt and rocks that contain fossils and or gemstones. You then sift through them with water from a custom made flume
Afterword you can classify your findings with their gemstone identification display.
This is always a big hit with the kids.
Directions to Cathedral Caverns State Park
From the North: Take Route 2 to 63 S Cathedral Caverns Hwy to Cave Rd, Continue on Cave Rd to the park.