Russell Cave National Monument
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Russell Cave at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Take a Hike on the Russell Cave Nature Trail
- Nearby city
- Bridgeport, AL
Explore this park
About Russell Cave National Monument
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifacts representing 12,000 years of use in a single place. Although you cannot go in the cave, the discovered artifacts help bring to light many cultural developments of phenomenal human journeys.
Weather Information
The weather in Bridgeport, Alabama is mild. The average temperature
- Winter
is in the low 50's.
The average summer temperature is in the high 80's. We receive about 50 inches of rain each year. Snowfall varies, but only lasts a few days per event.
Operating Hours
The park is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. All operating hours are in central time and the main gate into the park closes at 4:30 pm.
- Monday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Tuesday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Wednesday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Thursday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Friday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Saturday8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Sunday8:00AM - 4:30PM
Common questions
Planning Russell Cave National Monument
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Russell Cave. Check the Permits tab on this page and Recreation.gov before you travel — campground, tour, or backcountry permits may apply even without park-wide timed entry.
See Permits tab →
