Cathedral Caverns State Park

With one of the largest openings to a cave in the world and several other unique features, Cathedral Caverns State Park is an exceptional destination with plenty to discover.

Located in the verdant landscapes of northern Alabama, the grandiose geological wonder that is Cathedral Caverns State Park is a place you don’t want to miss out on. Steeped in history, the caverns offer an unmatched adventure and educational experience when you book a cave tour. The 493-acre park's centerpiece, Cathedral Caverns, boasts one of the world's largest cave openings and houses an enormous stalagmite named Goliath, which stands at 45 feet. Other neat features within the cavern include flowstones, a “frozen” waterfall, and a stalagmite forest. It’s believed that the cave could have been occupied by Native Americans as early as 7000 BCE.

The cave has a paved path that extends over a mile into the cave, making it wheelchair accessible. Above ground, the park offers additional outdoor activities, including 5.5 miles of scenic hiking trails, gemstone mining, picnicking, birdwatching, and camping. Children especially love looking for gemstones and discovering the beautiful formations that came straight from the earth. There are also 43 campsites with varying amenities that can be reserved ahead of time either online or by phone. Cathedral Caverns State Park is a prime example of Alabama's natural beauty and geological spectacles. Whether exploring the depths of the caverns, which stay at a cool 60 degrees year-round, or enjoying adventures on the surface, visitors leave with memories of a one-of-a-kind destination, making Cathedral Caverns State Park a must-visit spot the next time you’re in the region.