Rickwood Caverns State Park

Rickwood Caverns State Park in Warrior, Alabama is part of Alabama's state park system. Visitors enjoy a number of outdoor activities at this beautiful park, all within a stone's throw of Alabama's largest city, Birmingham.

Location and hours of operation

Located 30 minutes north of downtown Birmingham in central Alabama just off I-65, Rickwood Caverns State Park is an easy day trip from the city. The main park is open year-round from 7 a.m. until dusk, while the caves are open for tours from March through October. Visit http://www.alapark.com/rickwoodcaverns/ for more specific tour times and details. There is a $1.00 entrance fee to the park for adults and children age six and up. Cave tours cost $6.00 for ages 6-11 and $12.00 for ages 12 and up. Group rates are available.

Caves

The caves at Rickwood Caverns are truly spectacular. More than 260 million years ago water started carving through the limestone that makes up these caverns. Once part of the ocean bed, the ceiling and walls of the cave are lined with the fossils of all types of aquatic life. Delving further reveals an underground pool that is home to a species of blind cave fish. Another feature of the caves is the "living formations" where water droplets continue to deposit minerals, constantly changing the face of the caverns. A virtual tour of the caves is available on the Alabama State Parks website.

Other activities

Although the caves are certainly the main attraction, there are plenty of other things to see and do at Rickwood Caverns. The campgrounds attract many summer travelers, while an Olympic-sized swimming pool, hiking trails and picnic areas draw locals and passers-by alike.

Rickwood Caverns offers a perfect day out for families of all shapes and sizes. A wide range of activities and more than reasonable park and tour fees are a surefire match for anyone's sense of fun and any budget.