Alabama is home to an incredible range of state parks that have something to offer adventurers year-round. Our Alabama State Parks Passport series highlights all of the stunning outdoor spaces throughout the state that make for the perfect seasonal getaway. The fourteenth in our series is Cathedral Caverns State Park.

According to Alabama State Parks, “Originally called Bat Cave, Cathedral Caverns was opened to the public by Jacob Gurley in the 1950’s. The cave was renamed because of its cathedral-like appearance. Purchased by the state in 1987, it was opened as a State Park in the summer of 2000.”

Caverns & Nature

Spanning nearly 500 acres, Cathedral Caverns State Park is a one-of-a-kind destination best known for its striking cave. One of the most notable features is its impressive opening. Measuring more than 120 feet in width and more than 20 feet in height, the entrance is considered close to—if not confirmed to be—record size for a commercial cave. Once visitors enter, they are met with stunning stalagmites and other natural features that are seldom seen throughout the state. The cave itself is the ideal warm weather adventure as it remains a cool 60 degrees throughout the year.

A must-see is a notable stalagmite known as Goliath which comes in at more than 40 feet in height and more than 240 feet in circumference. Other impressive natural features have gotten names of their own such as the so-called caveman which can be found atop a wall within the cave. Many formations known as frozen waterfalls create the illusion of running water captured at a single moment in time. Visitors are often amazed by the forest of stalagmites found within the caverns. Beyond the caverns, the large property also offers a number of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy.

Additional Activities

Beyond exploring the caves and trails on-site, Cathedral Caverns State Park offers interactive gemstone mining. Visitors can purchase a bucket or bag of earth containing gemstones. Once sifted through in flumes with running water, visitors can identify which gemstones they’ve found using a display showing different types of gemstones with their identifications.

Accommodations & Area Attractions

Cathedral Caverns State Park offers both primitive and improved campsites with nearby bathhouses. For those choosing to hike or backpack into the park, a backcountry campsite is also available.

The park is a great destination for those looking to enjoy multiple outdoor experiences within a short distance of one another. Lake Guntersville State Park, Monte Sano State Park, Buck’s Pocket State Park, and DeSoto State Park are within a short drive, and nearby Huntsville offers a great range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.