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Rickwood Caverns State Park

Coordinates: 33°52′57″N 86°51′45″W / 33.88250°N 86.86250°W / 33.88250; -86.86250
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Rickwood Caverns State Park
Map showing the location of Rickwood Caverns State Park
Map showing the location of Rickwood Caverns State Park
Location in Alabama
Map showing the location of Rickwood Caverns State Park
Map showing the location of Rickwood Caverns State Park
Rickwood Caverns State Park (the United States)
LocationBlount, Alabama, United States
Coordinates33°52′57″N 86°51′45″W / 33.88250°N 86.86250°W / 33.88250; -86.86250[1]
Area380 acres (150 ha)
Elevation968 ft (295 m)[1]
Established1954
OperatorAlabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
WebsiteRickwood Caverns State Park

Rickwood Caverns State Park is a publicly owned recreation area and natural history preserve located 7 miles (11 km) north of Warrior, Alabama.[2] The 380-acre (150 ha) state park offers tours of caverns with illuminated limestone formations estimated to be 260 million years old, blind cave fish, and an underground pool.[3]

History

The caverns were brought to public attention by Eddie Rickles and Sonny Arwood who combined their own names to create the name "Rickwood." Rickles had come across the caves in the early 1950s as the leader of a Boy Scout troop exploring the area. Rickwood Caverns operated as a commercial entity from 1954 to 1974, when the property was acquired by the state and reopened as a state park.[3] The funding crisis of 2015, which saw the closing or reassignment to local authorities of five Alabama state parks,[4] resulted in the seasonal closing of Rickwood Caverns, which had been a seasonal operation until that time.[2] The park had been threatened with closure since as early as 2009.[5] As of April 2016, the park reopened and is hoping to operate on a year-round basis.[6]

Awards

In September 2020, Rickwood Caverns State Park was one of eleven Alabama State Parks awarded Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award, which recognizes businesses and attractions that earn consistently high user reviews.[7]

Activities and amenities

The park surrounding the caverns features 380 acres of wilderness, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, picnic area with shelters, hiking trails, playground, campground, panning for gemstones and gift shop.[8] Described as "mysterious and beautiful",[9] the caverns feature guided tours of the so-called "miracle mile" of active "living" formations, 300 million year old fossils which are clearly visible in the soft limestone walls, spring-fed pools, and other curiosities.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Rickwood Caverns State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ a b "Rickwood Caverns State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Ress, Thomas V. (April 20, 2012). "Rickwood Caverns State Park". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Foundation. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  4. ^ Moseley, Brandon (December 26, 2015). "State to shut down Outdoor Alabama magazine". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  5. ^ Gholson, Ron (March 4, 2009). "Rickwood Caverns State Park targeted for possible closing". The Blount Countian. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  6. ^ "State Parks accepting concession bids for Buck's Pocket and Rickwood Caverns". Alabama State Parks (Press release). Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  7. ^ "TRIP ADVISOR AWARDS 2020". Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Our Traveling Correspondent". The Mountain Democrat. Placerville, California. January 1, 1976.
  9. ^ Chipkin, Harvey (November 23, 1992). "State aims to lure ecotourists with its natural attractions". Travel Weekly. Alabama's mysterious and beautiful caves and caverns include Sequoyah Caverns, Desoto Caverns, Rickwood Caverns and Russell Cave National Monument.
  10. ^ Chipkin, Harvey (April 1, 1991). "Destination: Alabama". Travel Weekly.
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