It's not every day that one visits a state park and has access to a cave that dates back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. While they were fascinating creatures, what's even more fascinating is the fact that the cave in question can be toured on the regular. Within it, visitors will find formations that even predate some of the dinosaur species.

If Alabama is on the list, then a visit to Warrior is a must for anyone interested in going off the beaten path. One walk through this cavern will have many wondering what Alabama looked like long before it was ever a state...

Related: This Alabama State Park Is Ready To Take You On An Underground Caving Adventure

Rickwood Caverns State Park

While the caverns within this state park are certainly not the only thing that visitors can do there, it's definitely one of the main attractions. It's best for visitors to start with a cave tour in order to hear the history of the land before heading off to do other things - more about those later. Northalabama.com refers to the Rickwood Caverns as Alabama's 'miracle mile' of underground cave systems, and there's a good reason for it. The oldest rock formations in the cavern are estimated to date back 260 million years, and that's only scratching the surface of what visitors will find in this cave.

  • Fact: The cave maintains a constant temperature between 58 and 62 degrees Fahrenheit

In addition to its natural limestone sculptures, tour-takers have the chance to see some of the cavern's local wildlife, as well. Cave-dwellers such as blind cavefish can be found in its unique underground pool, which serves as a subterranean pond. Over the course of only one mile, visitors will see many things within this cavern that longer tours never even reach - which is what makes the Rickwood Caverns so incredible.

  • Fact: The cave extends 175 feet below sea level

The caverns themselves were also formed roughly 260 million years ago via water erosion, during a time called the Mississippian Period. It's believed that the caverns were once part of the ocean bed due to the interesting fragments of shells and marine fossils that have been discovered within. These are all things that visitors can see along the walls and the ceiling of the cave, and they've been preserved almost immaculately thanks to the unchanging conditions underground. As tour guides point these out, they will also point out the fact that the cave is still very much a living part of the park's ecosystem. Along with practically ancient formations, the cave features many that are still in the process of growing and changing. As long as water still drips and seeps into the cave, these formations will continue to grow and change for years to come.

  • Tip: Virtual reality tours are also available for anyone that is unable to take the cave tour

That's not all, though - this park also features one more surprise for those visiting. An Olympic-sized swimming pool can also be found not far from the caverns, and it's actually fed by the icy waters that flow through the cavern! With Alabama's often steamy temperatures, it's a fantastic way to cool off and have the bragging rights that come with swimming in fresh cave water.

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Visiting The Cave

  • Hours: Cave Tours are between 2:00 PM- 8:00 PM | Pool is closed during the winter
  • Costs: Entrance Fees: Ages 5 -11 - $2.00 ; 12 and up - $3.00 | Cave Tours (Includes Entrance Fee): Ages 5 -11 - $9.00 ; 12 and up - $19.00 | Swimming (Includes Entrance Fee): Ages 5 and up - $7.00

Additional Things To Do At Rickwood Caverns State Park

For those who have finished the cave tour and aren't interested in swimming (or have visited after the pool is closed), there's plenty more to fill a day here. In addition to its geological nature, visitors can get even more hands-on by mining for gemstones. This is a fun activity for kids and adults and also serves as an educational activity when it comes to precious stones that can be found in the area.

Camping is also a great way to enjoy the park in its entirety, especially for those who plan on hiking through its local trails. One trail, in particular, is called the Fossil Mountain Hiking Trail. It has earned its unique name thanks to the plant fossils that can be found in many rocks along the trail, making for a fun seek-and-find game for kids.

Before any of that, though, visitors should be sure to check out the park's gift shop. Here, unique items such as rocks and educational gifts can be found, and they make great souvenirs to bring home at the end of the day.

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