Alabama is home to an incredible range of state parks that have something to offer adventurers year-round. As leaves change and temperatures grow cooler, we are introducing our Alabama State Parks Passport series to highlight all of the stunning outdoor spaces throughout the state that make for the perfect seasonal getaway. The third in our series is the beautiful Rickwood Caverns State Park.

Nature

According to Alabama State Parks, “What makes Rickwood Caverns State Park unique is the massive cave that contains 260-million-year-old formations that were created by water and reveal evidence that the cave was carved from an ocean bed. If you’re looking to cool off from the sweltering summer temperatures or warm up during those cold winter months, the underground wonder maintains a constant 58-62 degree temperature year round as you travel 175 feet beneath the earth.”

Activities

Rickwood Caverns’ main attraction is their guided cave tour. While the cave tour may draw the most visitors, Rickwood Caverns is also home to the Fossil Mountain Hiking Trail, gemstone mining, camping areas, picnicking areas, a playground, and a charming gift shop. Cool waters from the cave feed into the Olympic-size swimming pool.

Area Attractions

The area has many other attractions that will make for the perfect day trip. According to Alabama State Parks, the following are in close proximity to Rickwood Caverns: Bankhead National Forest, Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, shopping and dining in downtown Birmingham, mountain biking at the Coldwater Mountain Forever Wild tract near Anniston, the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team, Sloss Furnace National Historic Landmark, Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, Forever Wild Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and many more.

Wonderland Under Warrior Holiday Cave Tours

One of the state park’s most exciting seasonal offerings is the Wonderland Under Warrior Holiday Cave Tours. During the holiday season, the caverns are transformed into a stunning subterranean winter wonderland. Sitting at a cool 62 degrees year-round, the cave is the perfect option for a comfortable winter getaway. The park will offer hot cocoa, snacks, and seasonal items at their gift shop during the season. The Holiday Cave Tours are a great option for those interested in exploring the caverns as these tours will not include the more than one hundred stairs that end the regular cave tours.

Find out more about Rickwood Caverns State Park and purchase tickets to Wonderland Under Warrior here.