Rickwood Caverns State Park

Rickwood Caverns State Park

Location of Rickwood Caverns State Park in Alabama

Type State park
Location Warrior, Blount County, Alabama
Coordinates 33°52′46.3326″N 86°50′41.5104″W / 33.879536833°N 86.844864000°WCoordinates: 33°52′46.3326″N 86°50′41.5104″W / 33.879536833°N 86.844864000°W
Area 380 acres (150 ha) [1]
Elevation 981 feet (299 m) [2]
Created 1974 [1]
Operated by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Status Park: Open year round
Cave tour: Seasonal

Rickwood Caverns State Park is a 380-acre (150 ha)[1] Alabama state park located in Warrior, Alabama, approximately 25 miles (40 km) north of Birmingham.[3] The park offers tours of caverns with illuminated limestone formations estimated to be 260 million years old, blind cave fish, and an underground pool. The caverns were privately owned and operated until the property was acquired by the Alabama State Park system in 1974.

Described as "mysterious and beautiful",[4] the caverns feature guided tours of the so-called "miracle mile" of active "living" formations, spring-fed pools, and other curiosities.[5] The park surrounding the caverns features 380 acres of wilderness, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, picnic area with shelters, hiking trails, playground, campground, panning for gemstones and gift shop.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gholson, Ron (2009-03-04). "Rickwood Caverns State Park targeted for possible closing". The Blount Countian. Retrieved 2014-03-09.
  2. ↑ "Rickwood Caverns State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  3. ↑ "Rickwood Caverns State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2014-03-09.
  4. ↑ Chipkin, Harvey (1992-11-23). "State aims to lure ecotourists with its natural attractions". Travel Weekly. Alabama's mysterious and beautiful caves and caverns include Sequoyah Caverns, Desoto Caverns, Rickwood Caverns and Russell Cave National Monument.
  5. ↑ Chipkin, Harvey (1991-04-01). "Destination: Alabama". Travel Weekly.
  6. ↑ "Our Traveling Correspondent". The Mountain Democrat (Placerville, California). 1976-01-01.

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