Dunbar Cave

While the cave portion of the Dunbar Cave Natural Area has been closed for two years, with hopes to reopen, the exterior allows visitors many exploration opportunities.

The cave itself is a whopping 8 miles long, with three entrances; some sections, however, require scuba gear for navigation due to their being underwater. Due to a fungal disease that affects bats, hikes in the cave have been suspended indefinitely so that the disease will not be picked up and taken to other caves, or more of the disease brought in to re-infect the existing bat colonies.

"We're hoping to open the cave soon, in a year to two years, because that is the main draw to the park," said park manager Alan Fenoseff. "But those decisions are made through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation."

Research is currently being conducted on the bats through Austin Peay State University.

Located at 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road, the Dunbar Cave Natural Area represents 110 acres for citizens to roam, along with a 15-acre spring fed water feature called Swan Lake. While neither swimming nor boating is permitted, fishing is; only a valid Tennessee fishing license or two-day guests license is required. Fish in the lake include bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and carp. Picnic tables behind the Visitor's Center overlook the lake.

The three nature trails in the park start at a slower pace, with the Recovery Trail being the most strenuous. All trails begin and end at the Visitor's Center and include the Lake Trail, an easy .67-mile hike; the Short Loop 1.1 mile moderate hike; and the Recovery Trail, a 1.9-mile moderate hike. It is advised that hikers wear hiking boots or tennis shoes, but the park managers have seen people take to the trails in flip flops, as well.

The cave's namesake is Thomas Dunbar, who settled near the cave during the 1790s. There was an early land dispute between him and a man named Isaac Rowe Peterson, who also claimed ownership of the cave. Peterson prevailed and Dunbar was sent off the property, but according to Fenoseff, Peterson paid Dunbar a handsome 100 pounds and they became somewhat civil neighbors.

More recent history includes a mineral springs resort that was built at Dunbar Cave around 1880. Beginning in the 1930s, the resort was developed into a swinging entertainment spot, complete with a bandstand and performances by big bands of the time, including Artie Shaw, Guy Lombardo, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. These bands stopped off in the area between shows on the Louisville to Memphis loop of performances. Country entertainer Roy Acuff bought the cave property in 1948 and staged his Saturday Night Radio Dance Broadcast from the site. Acuff also built an 18-hole golf course to the east of the lake.

In 1950 the last hotel near the cave, The Idaho Springs Hotel that was built 1931, was destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt. Popularity for the cave as an entertainment spot began to decline in the '50s due to the onset of electric air-conditioning. The state of Tennessee acquired the cave in 1973 to make it a state natural area.

As Fenoseff explained, "The cave mouth is 58 degrees year round so it is really nice and cool there." Since the cave has historically attracted many fans during the summer months, a nonprofit organization associated with the cave, Friends of Dunbar Cave, hosts an event called Cooling at the Cave each July. During this event, the old-fashioned nature of the cave is revived with guests who play card games and drink lemonade. (Formed in 1998, Friends of Dunbar Cave has around 65 members).

Beyond historical significance, the cave also has archaeological and geological significance. Prehistoric humans lived in Dunbar Cave can be dated back to about 8,000 B.C., and dating to 1350 there are rare cave drawings on the walls.

Wildlife

Rare creatures have been found in the cave, including the federally endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens), a blind cave crayfish (Orconectes pellucidus), and the southern cavefish (Typhlichthys subterraneus).

According to the cave's interpretive specialist, Amy Wallace, the most common bat in the cave is the tri-colored bat. The cave is also home to big brown bats, little brown bats, and Northern long-eared bats.

Wallace also said that wildlife outside the cave includes gray squirrels, chipmunks, whitetail deer, turkey, various birds, gray fox, red fox, beaver, muskrats, Canada geese, ducks, and the great blue heron.

The Visitors Center is wonderful spot for learning about the cave through exhibits, displays and literature aimed at interpreting the geological and ecological significance of the cave and man's use of the cave through time. The center also contains the park office, restrooms and a water fountain.

Friends of Dunbar Cave meets the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Visitor's Center in the park. The group spends many volunteer hours assisting Dunbar Cave park personnel and raising money for park needs.

The hours of operation for Dunbar Cave are 8 a.m. to sunset (at this time). The Visitors Center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.