Cordell Hull Birthplace Hiking

A group of hikers descends a wooden staircase through a lush forest. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene and adventurous atmosphere.

Hiking at Cordell Hull Birthplace  

The Bunkum Cave Trail is a 1.5 mile, moderate hiking trail.

The beautiful Bunkum Cave Loop Trail leads to an overlook and the entrance to the historic Bunkum Cave, where Cordell Hull’s father made moonshine in the 19th century.

This moderate trail has many gentle hills and impressive wildflower displays in April and May. As you leave the trailhead, the trail drops down through the bottomland hardwood forest. Expect ferns and wildflowers, dry creek beds, and some limestone outcroppings. Meandering towards the cave, you will descend down a steep staircase to the opening of the cave. The entrance of the cave is an impressive 100 feet wide by 50 feet tall. Benches are located along the trail. Woodland birding is good year-round.

Trails

Birthplace Path

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Bunkum Cave Access Trail

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

Distance

0.20 mi.

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Bunkum Cave Loop Trail

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

Distance

1.25 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

This moderate trail has many gentle hills and impressive wildflower displays in April and May. As you leave the trailhead, the trail drops down through the bottomland hardwood forest. Expect ferns and wildflowers, dry creek beds, and some limestone outcroppings. Meandering towards the cave, you will descend down a steep staircase to the opening of the cave.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Bunkum Cave Loop Trail

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

This moderate trail has many gentle hills and impressive wildflower displays in April and May. As you leave the trailhead, the trail drops down through the bottomland hardwood forest. Expect ferns and wildflowers, dry creek beds, and some limestone outcroppings. Meandering towards the cave, you will descend down a steep staircase to the opening of the cave.

Distance

1.25 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 243.20'

Loss 331.50'

Grade

Typical 8.1%

Max 43.8%

Cross Slope

Typical 3.7%

Max 23.8%

Tread Width

Typical 27"

Minimum 12"

Surface Type

Soil 91%; Mowed grass 4%; Wood decking 2.8%; Crushed stone 1.8%; Rock 0.4%

Obstructions Exist

Step: 11 in tall; Rock: 11 in tall; Tree: 12 in of tread remaining

Storybook Loop Trail

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

Distance

0.35 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Paved

This trail loop has storybook panels along the gravel trail and winds through a wildflower field.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Storybook Loop Trail

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

This trail loop has storybook panels along the gravel trail and winds through a wildflower field.

Distance

0.35 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Paved

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 45.10'

Loss 37.90'

Grade

Typical 4.7%

Max 14.3%

Cross Slope

Typical 3.7%

Max 13.6%

Tread Width

Typical 49"

Minimum 36"

Surface Type

Mowed grass 72.7%; Crushed stone 27.3%

Obstructions Exist

Erosion: 3 in deep; Erosion: 3 in deep; Erosion: 2 in deep

Trail Definitions

Cross Slope 

Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.  
Grade 

Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.   
Standard Ramp Grade

Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments. 
Surface 

A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.  
Tread Width 

Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.  
Trail Types: Loop

Trail returns at or near the point from which you started.
Trail Types: Network

Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected
Trail Types: Out and Back

This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.  
Trail Types: Stacked Loop

A loop trail contained completely within another trail.