Sequoyah Caverns, located in Valley Head, AL just north of Fort Payne, is the smaller of the two caverns, yet the unique rock formations and underground lakes are closer to the walkway and seem more accessible for picture taking and gazing in awe. Sequoyah Caverns has been in the Ellis family since 1841, and the family takes great pride in showing off its hidden wonder. The one hour tour requires approximately a half mile of walking. In the quiet of the caverns, visitors will be lulled by the rhythmic dripping of water as it falls from the ceiling to glass-like reflecting pools below.
Guided tours depart every hour, or you can enjoy a lantern-lit tour in the evening (available Memorial Day to Labor Day at an additional cost). It’s always a cool 60 degrees inside the caverns, so it’s a great destination to beat the summertime heat. The caverns are slightly dark and the walkway is occasionally uneven and slippery. Those who cannot climb stairs will only be able to do a portion of the tour. Tours are $10.95 for adults and $5.95 for children age 4-12. For more information, visit www.sequoyahcaverns.com.
About an hour west, in Woodville, AL which is located outside of Huntsville, is Alabama’s newest state park, Cathedral Caverns State Park. These caverns are massive compared to Sequoyah, as you walk inside the entrance that is large enough to allow an airplane to enter. As you follow your tour guide, you’ll be amazed at the height and depth of these caverns that are in an area which was once under an ocean that covered the Southeast. In fact, you’ll witness a shark tooth from one of the largest man eating sharks that is embedded in the ceiling of the caverns.
Cathedral Caverns is home to many world records, including the largest frozen waterfall in the world and the world’s largest flow stone wall. It was also a film location for the Disney movie Tom and Huck. With a pale yellow light gently bathing the mammoth structures, you’ll definitely feel as if you’ve walked into another world, and indeed you have.
Guided tours depart at varying hours throughout the day. The walkway has steep ascents and descents and is approximately 1 1/3 miles round trip. Visitors with mobility issues can request a tour utilizing a golf cart. The temperature is a constant 60 degrees, which is great for the heat of summer or even the harsh days of winter. Be sure to wear sneakers and not any slick-bottom shoes. Tours are $8 for adults, $5 for children age 5-12. For more information, visit www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=2.
Kimberly Button is the author of The Disney Queue Line Survival Guidebook, the only Walt Disney World® Resort theme park guidebook that features scavenger hunts, trivia questions, word puzzles and hidden Mickey searches tailored to each attraction to alleviate boredom while standing in lines. For more information and to read an excerpt, visit www.disneysurvivalguide.com
