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Russell Cave National Monument

Designation: National Monument

Location: Alabama

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifacts representing 12,000 years of use in a single place. Although you cannot go in the cave, the discovered artifacts help bring to light many cultural developments of phenomenal human journeys.

🌤 Weather Information

The weather in Bridgeport, Alabama is mild. The average temperature in the winter is in the low 50's. The average summer temperature is in the high 80's. We receive about 50 inches of rain each year. Snowfall varies, but only lasts a few days per event.

🚗 Directions

Russell Cave National Monument is located at 3729 County Road 98 in Bridgeport, Alabama. It is situated in the northeast corner of Alabama, just south of the Tennessee state line.

Images

Russell Cave in Spring

Prehistoric people continuously used Russell Cave for over 10,000 years

Credit: NPS Photo / Mary Dawson

Winter flood in December 2015

14,000 acres drain into Russell Cave

Credit: NPS Photo / Mary Dawson

Looking out of the cave shelter

Looking out of the cave shelter in the fall

Credit: NPS Photo / Mary Dawson

Northern Cardinal

Russell Cave is site 44 on the Alabama birding Trail.

Credit: NPS Photo / Mary Dawson

Deer behind visitor center

For a park of its size, Russell Cave National Monument has a diverse landscape that provides a remarkable habitat for wildlife observation.

Credit: NPS Photo / Mary Dawson

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
8:00AM - 4:30PM
Monday
8:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday
8:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday
8:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday
8:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday
8:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday
8:00AM - 4:30PM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Friday, Mar 6

Sunny

Sunny

High: 82.8°F | Low: 56.7°F

Humidity: 69%

Wind: 9.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 6

Sunrise: 06:06 AM

Sunset: 05:43 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (93%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 62.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Mar 7

Heavy rain

Heavy rain

High: 76.1°F | Low: 61.6°F

Humidity: 81%

Wind: 13.2 mph

Rain Chance: 81%

UV Index: 5

Sunrise: 06:04 AM

Sunset: 05:44 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (87%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 65.1°F

Cloud Cover: 81%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, Mar 8

Heavy rain

Heavy rain

High: 68.7°F | Low: 58.3°F

Humidity: 94%

Wind: 7.4 mph

Rain Chance: 89%

UV Index: 4

Sunrise: 06:03 AM

Sunset: 05:45 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (80%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 62.1°F

Cloud Cover: 89%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Boardwalk Closed Park Closure
The boardwalk is closed due to tree fall damage. The cave entrance and the nature hiking trail are unavailable at this time. Our team is working on making that section safe and stable again as soon as we can.
Portion of the boardwalk is closed Information
The last section of boardwalk is closed for ADA accessibility. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Park Closed Park Closure
The park will be closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, January 24-26, 2026, due to inclement weather.
Portion of the boardwalk is closed Information
The last section of boardwalk is closed for ADA accessibility. Sorry for the inconvenience.
White-nose syndrome confirmation in Russell Cave system.
Russell Cave National Monument has detected the presence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in the Russell Cave system, in Jackson County, Alabama.

More Info

Park Events

Winter Solstice Celebration
Join us for our 2nd annual Winter Solstice Celebration! We will have a sunset glow stick walk to see the cave entrance and bow and drill fire-starting demonstration. Learn about the history of celebrating the shortest day of the year, and what it would be like living in the cave thousands of years ago. Weather Permitting! All ages welcome! Free! Bring a flashlight and wear close toed shoes.

Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Dec 20, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
3729 County Road 98
Bridgeport, AL 35740

🏤 Mailing Address:
3729 County Road 98
Bridgeport, AL 35740

📞 Voice Phone: 2564952672

📞 Fax Phone: 2564959220

✉️ Email: RUCA_Information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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