National park · United States
Rickwood Caverns State Park
Visit Rickwood Caverns State Park: pay $5 entry, explore the cave tour (30 min) and the Olympic‑size pool (summer) – go in spring or fall to avoid heat and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
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Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
Mar–Apr, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The park covers about 0.5 km² (official source).
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Rickwood Caverns State Park in Alabama offers a guided limestone cave tour featuring underground pools and blind fish, an Olympic‑size swimming pool fed by the cave water, and a campground with RV sites and basic amenities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1974.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1974
The park covers about 0.5 km² (official source).
Why go
- Explore a large limestone cave with underground pools and blind fish.
- Swim in an Olympic‑size pool fed by cave water (summer).
- Camp on site with RV facilities.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, low crowd
- FebCool, low crowd
- MarMild, comfortable for cave tour
- AprWarm, good for swimming
- MayHeat rises, pool busy
- JunHot, crowds increase
- JulPeak heat, pool crowded
- AugPeak heat, pool crowded
- SepCooling, still warm for pool
- OctCool, fewer visitors
- NovCool, low crowd
- DecCool, low crowd
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind cave fish (Typhlichthys subterraneus)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| White‑tailed deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cave entrance area | Ticket gate, visitor centre, cave tour start. | Open daily, ticket required. |
| Pool complex | Olympic‑size swimming pool, snack bar, restrooms. | Open May–Sep, pool fee applies. |
| Campground | RV sites, restrooms, dump station. | Open year‑round, first‑come. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park website; approximate centre of facilities.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave tour entry | US$5 | person | Standard adult price (check). |
| Olympic‑size pool admission (summer) | US$5 | person | Pool fee separate from cave tour. |
| Campsite (standard site) | US$28 | night | Includes restrooms and dump station. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Cave tour ticket permit or guide
Campsite reservation no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5
- US$5
- US$28
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Alapark – Rickwood Caverns State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on campground loops only; not in the cave.
- Drones
- Not permitted in the park.
- Camping
- Only in designated campground; no backcountry camping.
Where to stay
In the park
Rickwood Caverns Campground
RV sites and primitive campsites with restrooms.
Near the park
Nearby Huntsville hotels
Various motels and B&Bs 15 km (9.3 mi) north.Various motels and B&Bs 9.3 mi (15 km) north.
Safety
Slippery cave floor low
Heat in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Cave entrance has paved paths and handrails; wheelchair access limited to visitor centre.
- Pool area is wheelchair‑friendly with ramps.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect cave formations.
- Use refillable water bottles; refill stations available.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rickwood Caverns State Park?
The cave tour costs $5 per adult; the pool admission is $5 (summer only). Campsites start at $28 per night.
What are the best hikes in Rickwood Caverns State Park?
The park’s main trail is the guided cave tour (30 min). Nearby you can walk short nature loops around the campground.
When is the best time to visit Rickwood Caverns State Park?
Spring (Mar–Apr) and fall (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and fewer crowds; summer is hot but good for the pool.
Are pets allowed in the cave?
No, pets are not permitted inside the cave; they are allowed on the campground loops on leash.
Do I need a reservation for the cave tour?
No reservation is required; tickets are sold at the gate on a first‑come basis.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Rickwood Caverns State Park
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