Mountain Property Daytrip to the Cathedral Caverns State Park

If you enjoy the solitude and breathtaking beauty of the mountain property of The Bluffs, then you are sure to love the majestic views inside nearby Cathedral Caverns. Initially known as the “Bat Cave”, Cathedral Caverns State Park was discovered by Jay Gurley, who sold all his possessions to buy the cave and then spent ten long years to make it a wonderful display cave. The Cathedrals State Park is famous for its large cave entrance, which measures 24 meters high and 128 meters wide. The Cathedral Caverns Park is Alabama’s newest state park, inside which you can view some of the world’s better example of stalagmite and stalactite formations.

Attractions of Cathedral Caverns State Park

The Cathedral Caverns State Park was inaugurated in July 1959. The most important attraction of the Cathedral Park is the huge formation of stalagmites and stalactites. It is simply breathtaking to view the magnificent and natural formations that touch the ceiling of the tall cavern ceilings. The interior of the cave displays scintillating stalactite and stalagmite formations in the shape of Big Rock Canyon, Mystery River, Stalagmite Mountains, The Frozen Waterfalls, Boulder Boulevard, Stalagmite Forests and the mythical Goliath, which is largest of all formations touching the roof of the Cathedral Caverns State Park.

Another attraction of Cathedral Caverns Park limestone rock caves is the evidence of human habitation that can be traced back to at least 8000 years.

Historical significance of the park
Cathedral Caverns cave was bought by Jacob (Jay) Gurley in 1955. Legend says that when he took his wife into the cave for the first time, she was struck by the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites and decided that with more of renovations, the cave would look like a "cathedral." After significant structural changes in the cave, it was also renamed Cathedral Caverns.

Following are the special characteristics of Cathedral Caverns Park that have even created world records:
* Has the widest entrance compared to any other commercial cave.
* Is home to “Goliath”- the largest stalagmite in the world. It measures 45 feet tall and 243 feet wide
* Known for largest “frozen” waterfall.
* Has the largest flow stonewall, which is 32 feet tall and 135 feet long.
* Has the largest stalagmite forest of any cave in the world.
* Has more improbable stalagmite formations, which are 3 inches wide and 35 feet tall.

The other attractions of Cathedral Caverns Park include a Big Room, which measures 800 feet long and 200 feet wide. The Cave also has a Crystal Room, which is made of pure white calcite. But the room is never open to the public because a simple vibration of one person can destroy 70 percent of the delicate ice formations.

Location 
Cathedral Caverns is located just three miles south of U.S. 72 between Grant & Woodville, in Alabama. The journey from Huntsville is just a short and sceninc 40 minute drive. Cathedral Caverns State Park remains open from 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. daily. Tours to the park begin at 10:00 A.M. in the morning and then continue on an hourly basis based on the volume of tourists. Admission for adults is $8, $5 for children aged 12 and under, kids and babies under 5 get free admission. The park is open every day of the year except on Christmas and New Year's Day.

So whether you are an amateur cave lover or a professional interested in exploring a real beauty, visit the Cathedrals Cavern State Park to have a great experience.