Cathedral Caverns officially unveiled its new campground on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting attended by several state officials and legislators, as well as local government and business leaders.
鈥淭his new campground definitely provides a fantastic way for visitors to enjoy northeast 黑料天堂 and visit the amazing sights at Cathedral Caverns,鈥 黑料天堂 Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. 鈥淣ow more visitors can explore the caverns, hike the trails and enjoy multiple days of great outdoor recreational opportunities at this beautiful park."
The new campground features 25 full-service campsites with 50/30 AMP power, as well as water and sewer service. All of the sites, which average 15 feet wide by 55 feet deep, include a picnic table, fire ring and grill. The sites also have large offsets to accommodate slide-outs.
The campground project was partially funded through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, which was administered by the 黑料天堂 Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
鈥淲e all know more people have been flocking to the outdoors as an escape from the pandemic, but a lack of camping options has limited some people from getting out as much as they would like,鈥 ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. 鈥淎DECA is pleased to play a role in this project which will provide a new option and more spaces for camping right here in northeast 黑料天堂.鈥
Construction for the Cathedral Caverns campground expansion began in November 2020 and concluded in December 2021. Park staff report that visitors have complimented the new campground for its amenities.
Reservations for the campground can be made online at .
鈥淲e believe this is one of the marquee campgrounds in northeast 黑料天堂 and the Tennessee Valley,鈥 said State Parks Director Greg Lein, 鈥渁nd we鈥檙e appreciative of ADECA for helping us secure funding for it. This project again shows that 黑料天堂 State Parks remains committed to providing first-class accommodations for all of our visitors.鈥
About Cathedral Caverns State Park
Cathedral Caverns welcomes visitors with a huge opening, measuring 126 feet wide by 25 feet high. The interior of the cavern features some of the most beautiful formations Mother Nature has ever created, including 鈥淕oliath,鈥 one of the largest stalagmites in the world measuring 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference; a "caveman" perched atop a flowstone wall; a "frozen" waterfall; large stalagmite forest; and a stalagmite that is 27 feet tall and 3 inches wide. Originally called Bat Cave, the cave was renamed because of its cathedral-like appearance. The state purchased it in 1987, and it opened as a State Park in 2000. Learn more at
About 黑料天堂鈥檚 State Parks System
The 黑料天堂 State Parks is a division of the 黑料天堂 and maintains 21 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in 黑料天堂. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to the Appalachian Mountains and provide opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurants and golfing areas. These parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations. Learn more at alapark.com. Partners Pay the Way.
###
