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Mac Kid Explores: Rickwood Caverns State Park and Pool with Kids

Take a day trip from Birmingham, Alabama

By Jess Searcy September 25, 2018

Less than an hour from Birmingham, Rickwood Caverns State Park (Warrior, Alabama) makes a great day trip with kids in tow! Although the cave tour is not to be missed, be sure to pack a picnic and a swim suit (if it's hot), because there's an Olympic sized pool, play ground and more at this fabulous park.

The Caverns

Having already visited big name caves, such as Mammoth Cave and Wind Cave, I did not expect too much from a little state park in Alabama. But clearly, I need to get out and explore more. Rickwood Caverns is impressive! Bigger than I expected, it is filled with all sorts of spelunking excitement. We saw stalactites, stalagmites and all sorts of other living rock formations, experienced total darkness, discovered fossils and even saw a bat (don't worry! it was harmless, tiny and sound asleep).


We were lucky enough to get an up-close view of this tiny bat.



Finding fossils embedded in the rock face inside the caverns.
All sorts of "living" rock formations can be found inside the caverns.


The Pool

After visiting the caverns, we ate our lunch at the playground (metal slides eighties style for all you retro-enthusiasts) and got ready to swim. The park has an Olympic sized swimming pool and a deep-end section with low and high diving boards. Evan double dog dared me to jump off the high dive, which I finally did after much hesitation and with a lot of chicken mommy squealing.


The guys (and me) had a blast cooling off in the Olympic sized pool after our cavern adventure.


Santa's Underground Workshop in December

Watch the Mac Kid calendar for details about Santa's Underground Workshop, when the caverns will burst with light and color for the holiday season. Even if it's cold outside, the cave will remain a warm temperature in the 60's.


Cave adventures can be fun for the whole family!


More Information

Cave Tour Admission Fee

Age 13 and up: $17.50
Age 5 to 12: $8
Under Age 5: FREE with parent or guardian
Call park office for group rate: 205-647-9692
Teachers: FREE with school group
Cave Hours: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm daily

Note:  For your safety and convenience, access to the cave is available only with a tour guide.


Swimming Pool Admission Fee

Age 3 to Adult: $5 for anyone entering pool area
Under age 3: FREE with parent or guardian
Daycare Groups (per person for 20 or more): $5 (gate fee included)
No refunds or rainchecks
Pool may close due to bad weather, mechanical problems, or minimum occupancy.
Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Pool Hours: open seasonally, check website for hours


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