Beginning of the Boardwalk

Begin your journey back in time as you walk along our boardwalk trail.

• After exiting the visitor center and making your way onto the gray, recycled material boardwalk, a slight incline reaches up to a sharp left hand turn. A bench made of the same recycled material sits in the corner of this turn. At the turn, the boardwalk continues, curving slightly out of view. On either side of the walkway, trees rise up, with only some of their leaves visible without having to raise your head upward. During the fall, orange and brown leaves often dapple the planks of the boardwalk. In the winter, rain or sometimes snow, can also be seen covering the walk ahead. In the spring and summer very little litters the boardwalk, with the exception of a loose branch or leaf here and there dropped down by the wildlife above. A sign sits above the bench that says, "Mobile Tour, Stop 1, Beginning of Boardwalk".

Cave Shelter

• The boardwalk ends with a lumber-made balcony that goes just under the over hang of the limestone cave shelter. To the center left sits a pit partially dug out with concrete walls lining the sides. Five signs form a semicircle barrier to the entering further into the cave and discuss the history of the cave. Text from the first sign on the far left reads: "First Cave Dwellers. Paleo-Indian Period. Before 9,500 years ago. Initially formed as caverns and tunnels by underground streams, Russell Cave became habitable about 9,000 to 11,000 years ago. The collapse of the cavern roof, deposits of silt from flooding of the creek and continued rock falls raised the floor above flood level. Early inhabitants of the region found the cave almost ideal for their primitive lifestyle. With an essential water supply, protection from the elements, and abundant wildlife in the area, native people used the cave for shelter. Whether used year-round or merely as a seasonal hunting camp, archeological evidence indicates intermittent human habitation for almost 9,000 years. Archeologists found several spear points and stone tools while digging and removing rocks to reach the floor where the first cave dwellers camped. Hunters and Gatherers. Archaic Period. 9,500 to 2,500 years ago. During the Archaic Period, daily like revolved around hunting and gathering. Much time was spent hunting wild game using a spear launcher called an atlatl. People also gathered shellfish from the Tennessee River, fished using bone fishhooks, and collected nuts and berries from the forest. Although times could be hard, especially during the winter, the cave provided shelter and, to a limited extent, a temperature controlled environment. Early people left many things behind in the cave after thousands of years of use. The dirt floors built up over time to cover debris such as animal bones, broken tools, and campfire hearths. Patter impressions of woven mats and baskets in the cave floor served as archaeological evidence of early basket weaving. First Potters and Farmers. Woodland Period. 2,500 to 1,000 years ago. The Woodland Period was a transitional time between simple cave dwelling and highly developed mound villages. As the culture continued to evolve, dependence on the cave became less important because agricultural and technological developments allowed the Woodland people to form more complex settlements in other locations. Semi-permanent living arrangements allowed time for pottery making, which was a leading technological achievement for this period. Woodland people also used the land more by planting crops. During the winter, the cave may have been used as a hunting camp when communities dispersed into more efficient smaller groups at the onset of cold weather. Hunters at this time began using the bow arrow, which gave them better ranger and accuracy. Using the bow and arrow, rather than the spear-like atlatl, increase the chance of a successful kill versus returning to the cave empty-handed. Hunting wild game for food was very important in the everyday lives of Woodland people. They were the first culture to use the bow in the Southeast. Moundbuilders. Mississippian Period. 1,000 to 450 years ago. Many villages that developed along the Mississippi and Tennessee River valleys flourished in the Mississippian Period. Known as the Moundbuilders, the people of the Mississippian Period established larger permanent towns featuring huge earthen mounds used for burial, residential and ceremonial purposes. More efficient farming practices in the fertile river valleys helped sustain the growing numbers of people. The people of the Mississippian Period continued to sporadically use the cave, possibly as shelter for hunting parties or as a stopover for trading parties who traveled as far away as the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes regions. Intensive farming of maize characterized the Mississippian Period. Along with maize, farmers also grew squash and beans. Smithsonian Excavations. Recent History.1956-1958. Russell Cave was named for Revolutionary War veteran, Colonel Thomas Russell, who owned the property in the 1800s. Archeologists still consider the cave to contain one of the most complete archeological records of prehistoric cultures discovered in North America. The artifacts uncovered from excavations tell the story of the cave: the ebb and flow of habitation, whether the users were family groups or hunting parties, what they wore, what they ate, and what tools they used. As Smithsonian Institution archeologists dug down more than thirty feet below the cave’s present floor, the artifacts they uncovered illustrated how tools, weapons, potter, and ceremonial goods became more sophisticated over time. Archeologists recovered approximately two tons of artifacts from Russell Cave. These discoveries include animal bones, spear points, pottery sherds, and the remains of adults and children buried at the site.

First View of Russell Cave

• The boardwalk trail curves to the right, revealing an open space below you. To the right a dry creek bed, usually dry unless there has been rain recently, meanders its way to meet up with a constantly flowing point of water. This stream seems to appear from under your feet in the rock below and flows into the mouth of a large, limestone cave entrance. To the right of this entrance is a sometimes hidden second entrance to the cave which is much smaller. The floor of the right entrance is about halfway up the side of larger left entrance and no water runs into it. Instead the boardwalk curves back to the left and dips down and back up to lead to the entrance of the right cave shelter. Small plants populate the scene below, while behind you another bench rests on the boardwalk, towered over by a forest seen just off the path.

Russell Cave Bookstore

Check out the Russell Cave bookstore for all your purchasing needs.

• The bookstore is located within the main visitor center. A small corner to the right of the front door has two bookshelves and a smaller stand that present a variety of books and collectables for a visitor to purchase. Signs state to ask a Ranger for assistance when purchasing items as all items are display only. Depending on the availability of certain items, patrons can usually find several books for readers as young as 4 to adults. Topics of the books include the plants and animals native to the southeast, American Indian myths and legends, traditional American Indian crafts, and information regarding the archeological digs of Russell Cave. In addition to books, the store also offers pins, patches, hiking stick medallions, postcards, tokens, and ornaments stylized for Russell Cave. A mug, coaster, and keychain are also available for purchase. Finally, the store offers several options for those looking to purchase a passport book to collect stamps in during their visits to all the National Parks. The display area spans from the door to the front desk that sits in the middle of the large room.

Trail Sign by the Sinkhole

• The boardwalk continues forward, again slightly turning up ahead out of sight among the trees. To the right, a small snag of boardwalk just out toward a staircase that goes does first, and then immediately back up on stone steps. At the crossroads a wooden sign with white lettering reads "Russell Cave" with an arrow indicating the left, and " Nature Trail" again with an arrow, this time pointing to the right towards the stairs. Past the small stairway, just above eyelevel from where you stand is a green box with a crank handle and instructions stating to crank the handle and press one of the four buttons on top to hear different descriptions about the park. To the right of this box, a moss covered asphalt path steeply meanders up into the forest. To the left, a small path takes you to the edge of a sinkhole, with a safety bar placed just before the edge.

Gilbert Grosvenor Visitor Center

• Gilbert Grosvenor Visitor Center
• Begin your exploration of the park in the visitor center. Pick up a park brochure for more information about the cave shelter and hiking trails. Watch a 7 minute film about the early inhabitants of Russell Cave and view the artifacts that were excavated from the cave shelter. Check out the Eastern National bookstore that has an assortment of books and souvenirs for adults and children.

• View the Russell Cave Museum
• *CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE* (See Alert) Interested in seeing artifacts that represent all southeastern prehistoric time periods? Then don’t miss out on the Russell Cave Museum.

• View the Russell Cave Film
• *CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE* (See Alert) Learn about the four distinct time periods of the Southeast, all found to have used Russell Cave by watching our 7-minute video.

• Pack a Picnic and Make a Day of it
• Learn about what activities are and are not permitted while visiting the park.

• Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour to the Cave Shelter
• Download the new NPS App and follow along with the audio tour during your visit.

• Take a Hike on the Russell Cave Nature Trail
• Adventure up the strenuous 1.2-mile nature trail to see the plants and landscape that prehistoric people would have been interacting with while living at Russell Cave.

• Earn Your Russell Cave B.A.R.K Ranger Badge
• Bring your pet along with you and earn your own B.A.R.K. Ranger tag.

• Become a Russell Cave Junior Ranger
• Work through activities to learn about Russell Cave and earn your Junior Ranger Badge today.

Walking Tour to Russell Cave

Follow marked sites along the boardwalk on your way to visit Russell Cave from the Visitor Center. Learn about the how Russell Cave was formed, the prehistoric people that once inhabited Russell Cave, as well as the excavations that led to it being named a National Monument. There is no cell service at Russell Cave. We recommend downloading this tour before arriving at the park.