Fern Cave
Decatur, AL 35603-5202
Plan Your Visit
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**Due to the remote nature of Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge, visitor access is extremely limited. The primary means of public accessibility is by way of the Paint Rock River, where it serves as a refuge border. **There is no road access to the refuge as the refuge is surrounded by privately owned land. Please be aware of current weather conditions and your individual capabilities. Be sure to bring insect repellent and drinking water.
Some of the main points of interest at Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge are the various cave entrances. Remarkably, there are dry and wet entrances to the cave. One is naturally submerged, while the others are above land. One of the unique entrances has become an ongoing roosting site for vultures in the area. The cave itself can only be accessed with a special use permit, due to potential disturbance of certain endangered species.
Activities
Related Documents
Fern Cave NWR Fact Sheet (PDF)
Other Facilities in the Complex
Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Locations
Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
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(256) 353-7243 C/O Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge 2700 Refuge Headquarters Road Decatur, AL 35603-5202
Activities
Get Involved
Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Check out our station's latest volunteer opportunities on volunteer.gov or contact the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex visitor center by calling (256)-350-6639.
Services
About
Established in 1981, Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge protects 199 acres of forested hillside and a massive cave system containing five hidden entrances. The cave is a complex vertical and horizontal maze featuring spectacular formations, significant archaeological finds, and diverse cave fauna. While the cave itself is closed to protect endangered gray and Indiana bats, the refuge is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the most spectacular caves in the United States.