Beginner/Horizontal Caving Trip to Tumbling Rock (Alabama) - Sat, Jul 25 2026

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Beginner/Horizontal Caving Trip to Tumbling Rock (Alabama)


The Basics:
Event Type:Caving
Event Location: Fackler, Alabama
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jul 25 2026  10:00 am >> Sat, Jul 25 2026 2:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Jun 23 2026 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jul 24 2026 12:00 pm
Event Duration:4 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:3 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Katherine Dorsett Bennett
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:6
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Greetings Atlanta Outdoor Club Cavers!

Tumbling Rock Cave is a great horizontal cave in Alabama. It has a variety of historical and natural features such as the remains of Salt-peter mining from the 1700's to 1800's. It also includes some beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as a 400-foot tall shaft with a waterfall, known as Topless Dome.

Our time inside the cave will last approximately four to five hours. Beginner cavers are welcome if you have previous D3 or higher experience with the Atlanta Outdoor Club. You will be vetted and possibly moved to the waitlist if it is determined that you may not qualify for this event.

Please keep in mind that caving is an active sport that requires more from your body than a casual hike. Be prepared to exercise some muscles that are not normally used. Squeezes through tight spaces, crawling on your hands and knees, twisting, climbing up and climbing down are just part of the fun!

Take note: The temperature in the cave will be about 60 degree. Please read what to wear inside the cave further down in this trip description.

According to the Dogwood City Grotto, "Tumbling Rock is kind of like a fun jungle gym because we will be climbing and sliding on slippery surfaces, playing in the mud and water, and because of this it is considered hazardous at times. We will be walking along ledges with 30-foot drops and will need to be extra careful of our footing in these areas. A little upper body and hand strength will be used to lift and lower your body up and off rocks and ledges. There are a few short, tight, crawling spots, but no one has ever complained that it made them feel claustrophobic."

****Please be sure to read and comply with the Required items list****

Tumbling Rock Cave is owned by Southeastern Cave Conservation Inc and is managed by Tumbling Rock Inc. A donation of $10 is requested (not required) for non-members to enter the cave. Your donation directly supports care, management and protection the cave.

In addition -- Each person in the group must sign the SCCI permit to enter the cave. The permit will be emailed to you once you register and are approved to join this AOC caving event. This permit includes a waiver.

This caving event is organized by Katherine. The caving trip itself will be led by an officer with the Dogwood City Grotto. Her name is Anna Pearce and she has a lot of caving experience. She is donating her time and energy to our club -- and we greatly appreciate her efforts.

The Dogwood City Grotto Club is also allowing us the opportunity to rent lights/caving helmets from them for $5 a piece. You would only be responsible for buying batteries for this equipment. Please let me know if you are interested after you have been approved for the event.

There is no cell phone signal at Tumbling Rock, but there is free Wi-Fi in the parking area (no password) to communicate with the outside world.

It is approximately a 2.5-hour drive to the cave from the metro-Atlanta area. I will likely spend Friday night in a town/hotel near the cave so that I don't have to wake up early to drive 2.5 hours to the cave from metro Atlanta on Saturday. You are welcome to also rent a hotel room or camp. A carpool will be set up if there is interest to leave on Saturday morning.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Caving or Climbing Helmet with a BRIGHT Water Resistant Light. Bicycle helmets will NOT do.
  • If you don't have a helmet, rentals will be available upon request prior to trip. If you are renting a helmet you will need to bring 8 AA size batteries for the light. 4 for the light and 4 for spares.
  • At least 2 backup light such as a medium sized 2AA or 3AA Maglight, and extra batteries for your main light.
  • Gloves and Knee pads (soft only, no hard plastic)
  • Hiking Boots or shoes with a good gripping tread (Be prepared for a trip to Walmart if you show up without proper footwear)
  • Dress in layers. Synthetic clothing is best as cotton or cotton blends will hold water and you will be cold. The air temp in the cave is relatively warm but you will get chilly when we take breaks. Also there is a potential to get very wet and muddy.
  • A daypack or fanny pack to hold water, snacks (energy bars), a spare light and anything else you wish to bring with you. Ziplock bags are great for keeping items dry. .
  • At the end of the trip (outside the cave) you will need a change of clothes, a towel and a large plastic bag to contain your dirty/wet clothes for the trip back to the park and ride.�If you don't bring a bag, then your car will get very DIRTY.
  • Money for the carpool driver and a good hot meal in Scottsboro after caving event
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Padded/waterproof container for camera


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Directions will be distributed at carpool or sent directly to attendees meeting at event upon request.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):240Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $96.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:

The SCCI (Southeastern Cave Conservation Inc.) owns and manages the cave. A donation of $10 is required for non- members and $7 for members. Payment is at the entrance to the cave manager. The money directly supports the cost of the mortgage, managing and protecting the cave. The SCCI's focus is on cave conservation and providing access to caves for cavers in the Southeastern US.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.