Cathedral Caverns.

Cathedral Caverns

Woodville, Alabama

Cathedral Caverns was opened to tourists in 1954 by Jacob Gurley. Until that time it had been called "Bat Cave," and Gurley changed the name to the more aspirational Cathedral Caverns. He installed colored lights and two miles of concrete paths. Alabama bought the cave and its surrounding acreage and opened it as a state park in 2000.

The cave is known for its gaping maw of an entrance, 126 feet wide and 25 feet high, supposedly the largest of any commercial cave in the world. Also credited as a World's Largest is a fat stalagmite in the cave named "Goliath," 45 feet high and 243 feet around. Another stalagmite is 27 feet high and only three inches wide. And tour guides like to point out a giant prehistoric shark tooth wedged into one of the cave's walls.

Other highlights of Cathedral Caverns owe as much to human imagination as Mother Nature, including a "stalagmite forest," a "frozen waterfall," and a "petrified caveman."

Cathedral Caverns

Cathedral Caverns State Park

Address:: 637 Cave Rd, Woodville, AL
Directions:: Cathedral Caverns State Park. South of Woodville. From US Hwy 72/Lee Hwy turn south at the brown state park sign onto Hwy 63. Drive south for 3.5 miles. Turn left onto Cathedral Caverns Rd. Drive about two miles. Turn right onto Cave Rd. Drive a half-mile to the entrance.
Hours:: Daily 9-4 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 256-728-8193
Admission:: Adults $19.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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