Plan a great day trip to Big Bone Cave State Natural Area. This natural area is 400 acres located in Van Buren County on the Cumberland Plateau. Big Bone Cave gets its name from the discovery of a giant skeleton in 1811. This skeleton is now display at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. This cave has lots of history that includes in being a salt mine during the War of 1812 and the Civil War when hundreds of miners mined the nitrate. There are many artifacts that have been preserved in the dry cave. They include, wooden water pipes, railways, catwalks, ore carts, hoppers, vats and ladders. Its really interesting to see how work was conducted that many years ago. The land above the cave is mixed with woods and areas of past farming and grazing. Big Bone cave is the sixth largest mapped cave in Tennessee. The cave’s geology is Monteagle limestone formation that is approximately 380 feet thick. The ridge above the cave is capped by Hartselle sandstone with various strata formations beneath in. Big Bone Cave is recognized by the United States Department of Interior as a National Natural Landmark. It is one of only 13 National Natural Landmarks in Tennessee. It is also recognized as the country’s best remaining examples of major biotic communities and geologic features. This is truly a great place to spend a day learning about the area and enjoying all the scenery and interesting formations. Big Bone Cave is managed by Rock Island State Park and public tours are available. Click on the link below for all the information including a map.
Make your reservations today for Deer Creek Cabin or Rocky Top Cabin and come and enjoy all the sites in the Cumberland Plateau. Enjoy a week or a weekend for all things TENNESSEE!
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