Alabaster Caverns State Park Caving
Alabaster Caverns Caving
In the caves at Alabaster State Park, massive boulders of alabaster, a fine-grained mass gypsum, can be seen in many colors of pink, white and even a rare black. But gypsum isn't all you'll see! There are five species of bats found in the cavern. Some are solitary while others are colonial. Roosting sites provide daytime shelter and a place for the bats not migrating to hibernate during the winter months. Only the Mexican Free-tailed bat migrates from Mexico in Spring to Alabaster Caverns to bear their young and then return to Mexico in the fall.
Guided tours of the main cave are offered on the hour year round. Visitors taking the tour should wear comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket (average temperature is 50 degrees). The walking tour is not recommended for those with mobility or respiratory problems, heart conditions, or claustrophobia.
Or, for the excitement-seeker, there's Wild Caving! Explore one or more of the five undeveloped caves in the park from March through September. Be sure to have the required safety equipment and obtain a permit at the Visitor Center.
Daily 8:00am-5:00pm, guided tours begin promptly on the hour from 9am-4pm. Office closes at 4:30pm November 1-February 28. Reservations are recommended during major holidays, area-wide events and other scheduled happenings.
Photo credit to Woodward Convention and Visitors Bureau
In the caves at Alabaster State Park, massive boulders of alabaster, a fine-grained mass gypsum, can be seen in many colors of pink, white and even a rare black. But gypsum isn't all you'll see! There are five species of bats found in the cavern. Some are solitary while others are colonial. Roosting sites provide daytime shelter and a place for the bats not migrating to hibernate during the winter months. Only the Mexican Free-tailed bat migrates from Mexico in Spring to Alabaster Caverns to bear their young and then return to Mexico in the fall.Guided tours of the main cave are offered on the hour year round. Visitors taking the tour should wear comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket (average temperature is 50 degrees). The walking tour is not recommended for those with mobility or respiratory problems, heart conditions, or claustrophobia.
Or, for the excitement-seeker, there's Wild Caving! Explore one or more of the five undeveloped caves in the park from March through September. Be sure to have the required safety equipment and obtain a permit at the Visitor Center.
Daily 8:00am-5:00pm, guided tours begin promptly on the hour from 9am-4pm. Office closes at 4:30pm November 1-February 28. Reservations are recommended during major holidays, area-wide events and other scheduled happenings.
Photo credit to Woodward Convention and Visitors Bureau
Alabaster Caverns State Park Camping
Alabaster Caverns Camping
Open year round, Alabaster Caverns State Park offers 22 beautiful campsites for the RVer and Tenter in two campgrounds with a dump station, comfort stations and showers nearby. Mesa Campground offers 10 semi-modern sites with water and electricity. Two pavilions accommodating up to 40 and six smaller ones accommodating up to 15 are located near the Visitor Center.
Open year round, Alabaster Caverns State Park offers 22 beautiful campsites for the RVer and Tenter in two campgrounds with a dump station, comfort stations and showers nearby. Mesa Campground offers 10 semi-modern sites with water and electricity. Two pavilions accommodating up to 40 and six smaller ones accommodating up to 15 are located near the Visitor Center.
SWIMMING - The pool is in the Canyon Campground which is, indeed, down in beautiful Cedar Canyon surrounded by lush trees. The pool is open Wednesday through Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m. through the Summer season.
AMPHITHEATER for reserved programs, VISITOR CENTER, and GIFT SHOP.
Alabaster Caverns State Park Trails
Alabaster Caverns Park Hiking
Enjoy hiking the outdoors on one of the Park's four trails: the Freedom Interpretive Nature Trail is 1/2 mile while the Old Two Toes Interpretive Nature Trail is 3/4 of a mile. Little Black Bear Nature Trail is 1/2 mile and Raptor's Roost Nature Trail is 2/3 of a mile.
Enjoy hiking the outdoors on one of the Park's four trails: the Freedom Interpretive Nature Trail is 1/2 mile while the Old Two Toes Interpretive Nature Trail is 3/4 of a mile. Little Black Bear Nature Trail is 1/2 mile and Raptor's Roost Nature Trail is 2/3 of a mile.