CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Dunbar Cave State Park has reopened the cave to the public for hikes and tours.
Cave tours were suspended in 2010 when researchers with Austin Peay State University detected White Nose Syndrome, a fungus deadly to bats.
Amy Wallace, an Interpretive Specialist with the park told Clarksvillenow.com the suspension of tours was necessary. “We didn’t want to close, but we had to in order to protect the bats. We were able to work out a method that will hopefully prevent the spreading of the fungus from cave to cave,” she said.
The method includes visitors bring an extra pair of shoes and cleaning off shoes that are used during the tours of the cave.
Cost is $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 5 – 12 (no children under age 5 are allowed on a cave hike).
To go on a cave hike, you must have a reservation. Reservation can be made only during office hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F), and can be made by phone or in person. Hike is limited to 20 people.
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Upcoming hikes:
Tuesday, June 2: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 3: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Friday, June 5: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 6 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Call (931) 648-5526 for reservations.
Each person on a cave hike must have a working flashlight. Due to the presence of White Nose Syndrome in the cave, clean caving protocols are in effect.
Each person must bring two pairs of shoes- one pair, which will be worn in the cave, must be boots or shoes with good traction as the cave floor is very muddy and slippery (no sandals or flip-flops). The other pair is to change into before exiting the cave so that the WNS fungus is not carried out on your shoes. This pair can be any type of footwear. The park will provide plastic bags to place your cave shoes in and you will be given instructions on how to properly clean them when you get home so that we do not spread WNS to other areas.
Because the cave floor is muddy and slippery, every person must sign a release of liability waiver which will be provided to you when you make your reservations. Because of the conditions of the cave, it is not handicap accessible and not recommended for people with mobility issues.
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