Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge - Scottsboro, Alabama

Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge

The Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful natural oasis located in Scottsboro, AL 35769, United States. This wildlife refuge is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and tourists alike. Specializing in being a wildlife refuge and tourist attraction, it offers a unique experience for visitors of all ages, especially being good for kids.

About Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge

This national wildlife refuge covers an area of 2,044 acres and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The primary purpose of the refuge is to protect the endangered Indiana bat, which is known to inhabit the area. The refuge also provides habitat for a variety of other wildlife species and offers visitors opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking and wildlife watching.

Location and Accessibility

The Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is easily accessible, with no dedicated parking area on-site. Visitors often park at the entrance, right at the gate, ensuring not to block the intersection. The serene and quiet environment is perfect for a peaceful visit, with the cave being closed to the public until further notice.

Additional Information

For those interested in visiting the Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, it is recommended to check their official website at fws.gov for the most up-to-date information on access, hours, and any special events or programs. The refuge can be contacted by phone at 256-350-6639.

What Visitors Say

With an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 145 reviews on Google My Business, it is evident that visitors greatly appreciate the Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge. Many praise its easy accessibility, tranquil atmosphere, and the opportunity to observe a diverse range of wildlife in a beautiful natural setting. Families with children particularly enjoy the refuge, making it a perfect destination for a fun and educational outdoor experience.

👍 Reviews of Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge

Gustavo O.

5/5

Easy access. There is no parking area. We parked without any problem at the entrance, right at the gate. Make sure not to block the intersection. The place is quiet, we visited on Thursday. The cave is closed to the public until further notice.

Brandy S.

5/5

This place is amazing. We just Stumbled on it. You'll have to park and walk back. But it's not that far of a walk. You'll feel the temperature drastically change cooler the closer you get. As of today 6/2/2024 they have a gate locked where you actually go in the cave but the observation deck is open. There'll be a sign at the national reserve sign. It's closed due to white noise killing the bats, until further notice. I believe it's called white noise syndrome. But with the drastically changing temperature as you get closer, it gives you a mysterious feeling about the cave and makes you wonder how deep it goes. Can't wait until they open the cave back up. ****CAUTION**** You will smell a strong odor of guano when you're on the observation deck for those of you who are sensitive to smells.

Matthew

5/5

Late in the season with rain made for lackluster appearances by our winged friends. It was still a fun show at dusk and we met some great fellow adventurers. Including friends and a host of NPR WBHM. It's such a short walk from the road, it's an easy stop to stretch your legs and have a quick nature reset.

Jacob M.

4/5

So decided to stop and check it out today. The walk Mac player was really nice today will shaded a lot of flowers blooming. So the entire walk back you look at the flowers until you got to the Cave. The nice asphalt road always a the back makes it easy for walking. It was a very enjoyable visit.

Robbin A.

5/5

Go see this awesome place. Kind of tricky to find. Parking not so good. Accessible for wheelchairs nice paved path to cave. And viewing platform which has no stairs and is a easy walk. Cave is visible you cant go inside. But worth it to see. Endangered bats roost in the summer and emerge at night in august. Have not seen this yet. But will be their to get a glimpse. If u like caves this is awesome. Very beautiful stream which seems to run out of cave. Worth the trip.

allen H.

4/5

Just a short walk from parking area neat to see bats coming out

Julie C.

5/5

I can’t believe how many times I’ve driven by this place and never knew it was there. I’m glad it’s not marked at the road though. Incredible natural wonder. Sauta Cave is a gray bat hibernaculum. but they roost here in the summertime and you get to see thousands and thousands of bats exit the cave at dusk.
Wear mosquito repellent.
Easy walk in for “non-hikers”.

Dee R.

5/5

Quick walk to the platform for viewing bats. Late in season but was still able to enjoy watching the bats