Russell Cave National Monument

3729 County Road 98
Bridgeport, Alabama 35740

Phone
(256) 495-2672

Explore Russell Cave!

For more than 10,000 years, Russell Cave was home to prehistoric peoples. Russell Cave provides clues to the daily lifeways of early North American inhabitants dating from 6500 B.C. to 1650 A.D. The cave shelter archaeological site contains the most complete record of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast.

Plan Your Visit

Spend your day at Russell Cave National Monument exploring the culture and life-ways of prehistoric people. Expect a two hour visit if you are planning to view the video, go on the tour, the hike, and have a picnic lunch.

Cave Shelter Tour
Visit the Russell Cave shelter area on a ranger led tour. Experience first hand the area that prehistoric people called home.

Museum
The museum area in the visitor center has a lot of facts about Russell Cave. View actual artifacts and reproductions of items found in the cave shelter. A timeline and photos tell the story of the people who lived at Russell Cave in the past.

Educational Videos
Watch a video about the prehistoric people of this area, or about animals or nature.

Eastern National Bookstore
Books are available on such topics as Russell Cave history, Native American culture, local plants and animals, flintknapping, and hide tanning. Reproduction spearpoints, postcards, pump drills and bow drills are available for purchase.

Nature Trail
Enjoy a nature hike on Site 44 of the North Alabama Birding Trail. This is a partially paved, steep trail that climbs Montague Mountain for 1.2 miles and loops back around.

Picnic
There is a large picnic area for visitor use. Enjoy relaxing here with your family. We welcome school groups, scout groups, church groups and family reunions.

Things to Do

Native American Festival
See demonstrations of authentic Southeastern Native American culture and lifeways at Russell Cave's annual Native American festival.
The 2009 festival will be held Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm both days. Please see the schedule of events page for more information.

Museum
The museum area in the visitor center contains many facts about Russell Cave. View actual artifacts and reproductions of items found in the cave shelter. Photos and a timeline tell the story of the people that lived at Russell Cave long ago, as well as the history of the archeological excavations.

Prehistoric Tools and Weapons Demonstrations
Interpretive Rangers give demonstrations of the types of tools and weapons early inhabitants used. See how an atlatl is used to throw a spear, the flintknapping methods to make a spearpoint or knife, and how to make a fire using natural materials and a bow drill. You can even try your skill at using the pump drill and grinding corn. (Demonstrations are available upon request.)

North Alabama Birding Trail & Nature Trail
Enjoy a nature hike at site # 44 of Alabama's Birding Trail. This is an uphill trail through Montague Mountain with a distance of 1.2 miles. The terrain is steep and the partially paved trail makes a loop. There are many types of plants and animals to see along the trail.

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