Park Hours (Today)
8:00AM - 4:30PM
Gilbert Grosvenor Visitor Center: 8:30AM - 4:00PM
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About the Park
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifacts representing 12,000 years of use in a single place. Although you cannot go in the cave, the discovered artifacts help bring to light many cultural developments of phenomenal human journeys.
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What to See & Do
View the Russell Cave Museum
Temporary exhibit on display
View the Russell Cave Film
Russell Cave Film 7 minutes
Pack a Picnic and Make a Day of it
Learn about what activities are and are not permitted while visiting the park.
Take a Hike on the Russell Cave Nature Trail
Adventure up the strenuous 1.2-mile nature trail to see the plants and landscape that prehistoric people would have been interacting with while living at Russell Cave.
Earn Your Russell Cave B.A.R.K Ranger Badge
Bring your pet along with you and earn your own B.A.R.K. Ranger tag.
Become a Russell Cave Junior Ranger
Work through activities to learn about Russell Cave and earn your Junior Ranger Badge today.
Self-Guided Tours
Walking Tour to Russell Cave
Follow marked sites along the boardwalk on your way to visit Russell Cave from the Visitor Center. Learn about the how Russell Cave was formed, the prehistoric people that once inhabited Russell Cave, as well as the excavations that led to it being named a National Monument. There is no cell service at Russell Cave. We recommend downloading this tour before arriving at the park.
Visitor Centers
Gilbert Grosvenor Visitor Center
Begin your exploration of the park in the visitor center. Pick up a park brochure for more information about the cave shelter and hiking trails. Watch a 7 minute film about the early inhabitants of Russell Cave and view the artifacts that were excavated from the cave shelter. Check out the Eastern National bookstore that has an assortment of books and souvenirs for adults and children.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Russell Cave National Monument is located at 3729 County Road 98 in Bridgeport, Alabama. It is situated in the northeast corner of Alabama, just south of the Tennessee state line.
Park Amenities
Operating Hours
Russell Cave National Monument
The park is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. All operating hours are in central time and the main gate into the park closes at 4:30 pm.
- Monday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Tuesday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Wednesday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Thursday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Friday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Saturday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Sunday8:00AM - 4:30PM
Photos
Winter flood in December 2015
Looking out of the cave shelter
Northern Cardinal
Deer behind visitor center
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
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Planning Russell Cave National Monument
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