Rickwood Caverns State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rickwood Caverns State Park |
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 Rickwood Caverns State Park
Location in Alabama
Rickwood Caverns State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Blount, Alabama, United States |
| Area | 380 acres (150 ha) |
| Elevation | 968 ft (295 m) |
| Established | 1954 |
| Operator | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Rickwood Caverns State Park |
Rickwood Caverns State Park is a cool place in Alabama where you can explore amazing caves! It's about 7 miles north of a town called Warrior, Alabama. This park covers 380 acres and lets you see incredible underground caverns. Inside, you'll find glowing limestone formations that are super old – about 260 million years old! You might even spot blind cave fish and a hidden underground pool.
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Park History: How it Started
The Rickwood Caverns became known to the public thanks to two people: Eddie Rickles and Sonny Arwood. They even combined parts of their names to create "Rickwood." Eddie Rickles first found these caves in the early 1950s. He was leading a Boy Scout group exploring the area when they stumbled upon them.
The caverns first opened as a business in 1954. They stayed open until 1974. That's when the state of Alabama bought the property. It then reopened as a state park for everyone to enjoy.
Park Challenges and Reopening
In 2015, Alabama's state parks faced some money problems. This caused several parks to close or be managed by local groups. Rickwood Caverns State Park, which used to be open only during certain seasons, also had to close temporarily. The park had faced threats of closing even earlier, around 2009. Luckily, in April 2016, the park reopened! Now, it hopes to stay open all year round.
Awards and Recognition
Rickwood Caverns State Park is a popular spot! In September 2020, it won a special award. It was one of eleven Alabama State Parks to receive Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award. This award goes to places that get lots of great reviews from visitors. It means many people really enjoy their time at Rickwood Caverns!
Things to Do at Rickwood Caverns
The park around the caverns has lots of fun activities. It covers 380 acres of natural wilderness. Here are some things you can do:
- Swim in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
- Have a picnic at special picnic areas with shelters.
- Explore nature on hiking trails.
- Play at the playground.
- Stay overnight at the campground.
- Try panning for gemstones – you might find something cool!
- Visit the gift shop for souvenirs.
Exploring the Mysterious Caverns
The caverns themselves are described as "mysterious and beautiful." You can take guided tours through what's called the "miracle mile." This part of the cave has "living" formations. This means they are still growing and changing! You can also see fossils that are 300 million years old. These fossils are clearly visible in the soft limestone walls. Plus, there are cool spring-fed pools and other amazing sights to discover underground.
