Visiting Cathedral Caverns: tours, Goliath and tips

Cathedral Caverns is the best half-day trip from Lake Guntersville, and a perfect plan for a very hot, cold or rainy day. The cave has one of the widest entrances of any show cave in the world, and some of the largest formations you will ever see.

Getting there

The cave is near Woodville and Grant, about 30–40 minutes north of Guntersville by car. The last stretch is on country roads, and the park is well signposted. There is a car park by the visitor center, where you buy your tour ticket.

How the tours work

You can only go inside on a guided tour, which lasts about 90 minutes. Tours run at set times through the day, and the schedule changes with the season, so check the times and prices on the Alabama State Parks website before you set off. On summer weekends and holidays, arrive early, as tours can fill up.

The path is paved and lit, with handrails in places, and there are no tight squeezes or ladders. It can be wet and slippery, and there are some gentle slopes.

What you will see

• The entrance: about 126 feet wide and 25 feet high, like the door of a great cathedral.
• Goliath: a giant stalagmite about 45 feet tall and more than 240 feet around.
• The Stalagmite Forest: a crowd of tall, slender stalagmites.
• The Frozen Waterfall: a wall of flowstone that looks like falling water.
• Mystery River: an underground stream that comes and goes in the cave.

What to wear

The cave stays at around 60°F all year, so bring a light jacket or sweater, even in summer. Wear shoes with a good grip. Flash photography is usually fine, but ask your guide.

More to do in the park

Above ground, the park has short hiking trails, picnic areas and a campground, and children enjoy panning for gems near the visitor center. The nearby countryside is pretty, with farms and wooded hills.

Make a day of it

Combine the cave with a hike or lunch at Lake Guntersville State Park, or carry on to Huntsville for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. If you love caves, Ruby Falls in Chattanooga is another good choice: see our Chattanooga day trip guide.