Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preserves

Canadian Yew is a northern, evergreen shrub that grows where cool air blows from the cave's entrances

Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preserves are two nature preserves totaling 146 acres (0.59 km²) located within the boundaries of Carter Caves State Resort Park in Carter County, Kentucky. Bat Cave was dedicated into the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission system on Dec 16 1981 for the protection of the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) with wintering numbers estimated at 28, 000. The Cascade Caverns preserve was dedicated on Dec 16 1981 to protect two rare plant species, the Mountain maple (Acer spicatum) and the Canadian yew (Taxus canadensis).