Dunbar Cave State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Dunbar Cave State Park is a popular tourist destination located in Clarksville, Tennessee.


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Summary

The park features a 144-acre natural area with several hiking trails and a lake. A main attraction of the park is the Dunbar Cave, which is the largest cave in Montgomery County, Tennessee. The cave has a rich history and has been used by humans for thousands of years, with evidence of prehistoric Native American inhabitation found within its walls.

Visitors to the park can take guided tours of the cave to learn about its history and geology. The cave also has several unique features, such as underground streams and waterfalls. In addition to the cave, the park also offers a range of outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife watching.

Some interesting facts about the park include that it was once used by the military as a secret storage facility during World War II. It is also home to a variety of rare and endangered species, including the Indiana bat and the gray bat.

The best time of year to visit Dunbar Cave State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. However, the park is open year-round and offers seasonal events and programs for visitors.

Overall, Dunbar Cave State Park offers a unique and educational experience for visitors interested in history, geology, and outdoor recreation.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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