Russell Cave National Monument:
The Southeast's Most Complete Record Through Time
by Melanie B. Bradford, Section #5 of 7

Russell Cave Today and the
Emerging Park of the Future:

Russell Cave has many enjoyable activities for visitors ranging from guided tours of the cave to bird-watching. However, if you plan to visit the cave in the next several months, you will see the park changing before your eyes as facilities and exhibits in the park are upgraded.

The Cave:

The original NPS plan for an exhibit in the cave consisted of an archaeological pit exhibit and corresponding slide presentation. While visitors over the year enjoyed this exhibit, the exhibit was not without problems. Frequently, the humidity in the cave caused the slide presentation to malfunction. In addition, visitors could not fully visualize how the cave looked before the excavations. As a result, during the summer of 1997, the slide presentation was removed and the pit filled. A walkway now spans over the once open pit. This walkway allows visitors to experience the feeling of walking into the cave as it was thousands of years ago. On all sides of the walkway the cave floor is in its natural state. Interpretive Rangers stationed in the cave at all times answer questions and ensure visitors do not investigate off-limit sections of the cave.

In the future, the cave will contain simulated figures of the early inhabitants engaged in their daily routines.

The Visitor Center:

The museum and visitor center presently remain as they have for years. The museum contains exhibits on the early peoples who lived in the cave, their tools and weapons, the types of food they ate, and other valuable information. The museum also explains the archaeological process of radiocarbon dating and how the excavations at the cave were performed. You can request a short video presentation that provides detailed information about the cave. Finally, the bookstore sells small souvenirs and carries many of the most highly respected books on archaeology, Native Americans, and such topics as plant identification and caving.

In the future the visitor center will be completely altered. New interactive exhibits are currently being designed for the museum. A new video presentation will be available and the bookstore area will become more structured.

The Nature Trail and Hiking Trail:

Russell Cave is blessed with a wonderful nature trail and hiking trail. The nature trail consists of a short six-tenths of a mile walk through the woods. The trail allows visitors to see many wildflowers and plants, used by the early inhabitants as food or medicine.

The Hiking Trail is a 1.2 mile walk up Montegue Mountain. Although the trail is well paved and includes rest stop benches at designated areas, anyone considering the hike should be aware it is a steep climb. However, visitors are compensated for their physical exertions by the wonderful scenery and possible wildlife sightings.

When is the Park Open and How Do I Get There?

The park is open year-round from 8:00am - 5:00pm except on Christmas Day. While the park is set up to be self-guiding, organized groups can arrange for guided tours.

Russell Cave is eight miles west of Bridgeport, Alabama. To reach the cave from U.S. Highway 72 take County Road 75 west to Mount Carmel Road. Turn right on County Road 98 and follow it approximately 4 miles to the park entrance.

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