What is it? Most people visit the refuge to watch more than 200,000 bats pour out of the entrance for their nightly feeding, however there are hiking trails as well. These trails (well-worn paths) can be hard to find during the summer months as they can get a little overgrown. It would be a great winter spot to explore.
Where? Scottsboro, Al. It is literally on the side of Hwy 72 between mile markers 130 and 131. Parking Coordinates are: 34.6185045 -86.1314369 A short walk down a shaded, closed road leads the way to a wooden boardwalk for viewing. When you feel the cold air through the trees, you know your close!
Any other details?
- Don’t worry about the bats getting too close to you; they won’t. They are flying out of the cave and straight up through the trees, not towards the platform.
- There is a locked gate off of Lee Hwy. You must park at the gate and walk around.
- There is also an upper entrance to the cave that is also a gated, closed entrance, but it isn’t paved and there are snakes and ticks to consider.
