Discover Jackson: Caves, Trails and History

Jackson County lies on the north shore of Lake Guntersville in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Water activities, trails through forest and rock landscapes, and cave and historical sites offer different ways to spend your time here. When planning your visit, you can choose based on whether you’d rather be out on the water, go for a hike or explore historic sites.

Caves and unique nature experiences

Cathedral Caverns State Park is home to one of the largest cave openings in the world. Visitors must be accompanied by a guide on tours of Cathedral Caverns; tours last approximately 90 minutes. This approximate duration can help you plan your day without suggesting that the tour is longer or shorter. The park also offers gem mining.

Russell Cave National Monument offers a different perspective on the region. It is an archaeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the southeastern United States. Artifacts show that a single site was used over a period of 12,000 years. You can also view artifacts in the visitor museum.

West of Scottsboro lies the 264-acre Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge. It protects the endangered gray bat and Indiana bat species, along with their important habitat. From June to August, 200,000 to 400,000 bats leave Sauta Cave at dusk each evening to forage through the night. This seasonal pattern makes the summer months a distinct time of year for wildlife viewing.

Trails, gorges and rocky landscapes

Buck’s Pocket State Park spans DeKalb, Jackson and Marshall counties. The park has more than 15 miles of hiking trails. A 6-mile state park OHV trail also winds through hardwood forests and over rocky ridges. These figures refer to different activities: hiking and riding the OHV trail offer distinct ways to spend time outdoors.

The route to the Walls of Jericho passes through lush forests, crosses streams and ends at a natural amphitheater waterfall. There are two primitive campsites along the trail. The Walls of Jericho also has an 11-mile horseback riding trail; this distance provides a separate measure alongside the hiking route to the waterfall.

Pisgah Gorge is another destination for striking scenery. The gorge is known for its waterfalls and expansive views, and it also features a unique natural bridge. If you’d like to include a variety of nature experiences in your trip, you can explore gorges and waterfalls as well as caves and wooded trails.

Lake Guntersville and outdoor activities

Jackson County offers plenty of opportunities for boat, canoe or kayak outings on Lake Guntersville. Jackson County Park rents pontoon boats and kayaks by the half day or full day, allowing you to choose how long to spend on the water rather than planning only a quick stop. Fishing is also available at the pier and along the lakeside trails.

Public boat launches are located throughout Jackson County. Check local conditions before heading out. For another recreational option, Goose Pond Colony Resort has two 18-hole championship golf courses. The activities described here range from being on the water and fishing to a round of golf.

Local history and culture

Sagetown recreates a pioneer village with original log cabins dating from 1820 to 1880. The Scottsboro Jackson Heritage Center also caters to researchers: its genealogical and historical collections are available during regular museum hours, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This schedule is particularly useful when planning a visit to use the collections.

In Scottsboro, Payne’s is considered Alabama’s oldest soda fountain. Along with Sagetown and the Heritage Center, this local landmark adds further connections to the region’s history and everyday culture alongside its archaeological sites.

Discover more destinations: Stevenson, Scottsboro, Dale County, Pike, Barbour County, Shelby County, Pickens County, Cullman County.

For the main travel overview: Alabama.