Cordell Hull Birthplace Caving
Warning Alert
Bunkum Cave Closed for the Season
The interior of Bunkum Cave is closed annually from September 1st through April 30th to protect the bat species that call the cave home. The cave will reopen to visitors on May 1st.
Thank you for helping us preserve this important habitat.
Caving at Cordell Hull Birthplace
Bunkum Cave is open to the public from May 1 through August 31.
Visitors are welcome to explore the beginning of the cave but are required to obtain a permit to venture past the cave entrance.
Visitors who choose to explore the cave should be careful not to disturb and formations or small animals that live in the cave.
To ensure that Tennessee State Parks continues to provide quality areas for recreational caving, all cavers should register online or with park management three days before your visit. Permits are free. You must sign a liability waiver and familiarize yourself with the Clean Caving Guidelines.
Caving Registration
It is recommended that you participate in a Ranger-led tour of the cave to become familiar with the cave and caving. The cave environment is fragile. Visitors who choose to explore the cave should be careful not to disturb any formations or any wildlife that live in the cave.
Bunkam Cave Rules
Be sure to follow all Clean Caving guidelines, Leave No Trace guidelines, and all park rules and regulations.
- Bunkum Cave is open to the public from May 1 to August 31.
- Daily Limit: 20 Permits issued per day (one permit per person, regardless of age)
- Do not cave alone.
- Visitors must be out of the cave and off the trails by park closing.
- Cavers should keep a paper copy or digital version of their permit and permit number with them at all times while in the park.
- Cavers should be ready to show proof that they are registered and complying with rules & regulations.
- Groups of eight or more, please contact the park prior to your visit. Group size is limited to 20 people.
- The park manager may close the cave at his or her discretion.
- Avoid disturbing cave organisms or their environment including touching or picking up wildlife.
- Pack out everything you pack in.
- Stay on established trails to protect cave formations.
- Clean your gear before and after! Diseases such as White Nose Syndrome can be transferred to other areas on your shoes and gear. This can cause an already declining bat population to suffer even more.
- Watch where you’re walking and avoid walking in pools of water. Fragile species live on the rocks and in the puddles of the cave.
- Residents of the cave are used to a very quiet space; please consider speaking softly.
- Residents of the cave are used to a dark space; when observing in the cave try to avoid directly shining the light into the eyes of wildlife.
No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.
