National Monument

Russell Cave National Monument

South

About Russell Cave

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.

From the National Park Service.

Region: South
State: Alabama
Designation: National Monument
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Russell Cave.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Mon: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Tue: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Wed: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Thu: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Fri: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Sat: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Sun: 8:00AM - 4:30PM

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.

Weather and when to go

The weather in Bridgeport, Alabama is mild. The average temperature in the winter is in the low 50's. The average summer temperature is in the high 80's. We receive about 50 inches of rain each year. Snowfall varies, but only lasts a few days per event.

Getting there

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.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 3729 County Road 98, Bridgeport, AL 35740
Phone: (256) 495-2672
Email: RUCA_Information@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/ruca

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Russell Cave

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Russell Cave

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

View the Russell Cave Museum

Museum Exhibits · about 25 min

Temporary exhibit on display
View the Russell Cave Film

Park Film · about 15 min

Russell Cave Film 7 minutes
Pack a Picnic and Make a Day of it

Picnicking · about 45 min

Learn about what activities are and are not permitted while visiting the park.
Take a Hike on the Russell Cave Nature Trail

Hiking · about 40 min

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

Junior Ranger Program · about 45 min

Bring your pet along with you and earn your own B.A.R.K. Ranger tag.