How to Get to Russell Cave National Monument :
Russell Cave National Monument is located 8 miles west of Bridgeport, Alabama. From US 72, take CR 75 north 1 mile to CR 98, then CR 98 north 4 miles.Recommended Scenic Routes Near Russell Cave National Monument:
The Talladega National Scenic Byway isn't really near Russell Cave, but if you are travelling from Montgomery, Mobile, Birmingham, or Atlanta, it would be well worth getting off the interstate and taking a side trip along this 26-mile byway. Located in eastern Alabama, the Talladega National Scenic Byway is about 90 miles east of Birmingham and 80 miles west of Atlanta. It can be accessed from two major highways, US 78 near Heflin, and US 431 at Interstate 20, plus County Roads 42, 49, and 24. The route follows the backbone of Horseblock and Cheaha Mountains, the southern most extension of the Appalachian mountain range, to Alabama’s highest peak, Cheaha Mountain, at 2,407 feet elevation.Park Size:
310 acres.Description:
Thousands of Archaic sites have been identified and uncovered throughout the southeastern United States, ranging from permanent cave dwellings to campfire remains. Russell Cave National Monument offers one of the largest and most complete archeological records of human habitation in this part of the country, dating back more than 9,000 years (Transitional Paleo to Mississippian cultural periods).Things to Do:
National Park Service rangers offer tours of the cave shelter The cave shelter includes the areas that were occupied by the prehistoric groups and features a diorama depicting activities of the occupants.Russell Cave is one of the most extensive cave systems in Alabama with 7.2 miles mapped. Three miles of the cave is open to the public but requires a permit issued by the visitor center prior to caving. Since Russell Cave is an undeveloped cave with no lights or trails, each person entering the cave must supply a light and hard hat, first aid kit, as well as other equipment. The 2-3 hour wild caving trip will involve wading through water, as well as crawling through a variety of passages.
The visitor center museum includes a display of artifacts, including weapons, tools, pottery, and jewelry and the visitor center theater offers several short videos. Outside the cave, hiking is permitted along a 1.2-mile trail along Montague Mountain and on a self-guided, 0.6-mile trail, featuring plants used by the cave's inhabitants.
Rangers offer demonstrations of spear throwing with atlatls, pump and bow drills, flint knapping, pottery and bow making, and corn and nut grinding.
Operating Hours:
Daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; rest of the year, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving Day, December 25.History:
Russell Cave was established as a national monument in 1961, when 310 acres donated by the National Geographic Society were set aside to protect the site and its surroundings.Contact Russell Cave National Monument:
Russell Cave National Monument3729 County Rd 98
Bridgeport, AL 35740
256-495-2672 Photo courtesy of the National Park Service Previous Features