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Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
4.6 ★★★★★ 168 Google reviews · Running trail in Scottsboro, Alabama · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
This 264-acre hardwood-forest nature preserve has a large cave protecting endangered bat species.
What runners say about Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
“The cave entrance is beautiful with a small waterfall raining down over it and vines cascading down the side.”
“It's a very peaceful place and an amazing event to witness.”
“It is about 1/4 mile off of 72 by foot and is a super easy hike.”
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.
At dusk in June, July, and August, thousands of bats start funneling out of the cave at dusk. It was amazing! Bring a chair and sit on the viewing platform. The show lasts about an hour.
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.
When you "reach your destination" you might think Google maps has lost it's mind. Road looks abandoned and is gated and locked. You need to park in front of the gate by the highway and then walk about 200 yds down the old road. Cave and veiwing platform is on the right.
Trail conditions & character
“The cave entrance is beautiful with a small waterfall raining down over it and vines cascading down the side.”
“The parking is an old turn-off off of 72 where there used to be a road but it's now a crumbling lot with a gate preventing cars from going down the path.”
“It's a very peaceful place and an amazing event to witness.”
“The nice asphalt road always a the back makes it easy for walking.”
“Make sure you bring a light so you can see on your trail walk back the the vehicles.”
“Accessible for wheelchairs nice paved path to cave.”
“There is a boardwalk leading closer to the cave with some informative signage.”
Plan your run at Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone+1 256-353-7243
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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