About Us

Fern Cave
Image Details

Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1981, consists of 199 acres of forested hillside underlain by a massive cave with many stalactite and stalagmite-filled rooms. The cave has five hidden entrances with four occurring on the Refuge. Access to is extremely difficult and has been described as a vertical and horizontal maze by expert cavers, the cave itself is closed to protect the sensitive species found within. Horizontal sections of the cave are known to be more than 15 miles long and vertical drops of 450 feet are found within. Spectacular features including unrivaled formations, important paleological and archaeological finds, and a diverse cave fauna have contributed to Fern Cave as being described as the most spectacular cave in the U.S. and has fame both nationally and internationally.

Our Mission

Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge was established under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, to provide protection for the endangered gray and Indiana bats.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Snow Geese
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
Located in Decatur, AL, the refuge attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl each year as well as manages and protects habitat for 12 federally endangered or threatened species.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Gray bats flying under tree canopy outside of Sauta Cave
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is a 264-acre Refuge located west of Scottsboro, Alabama. The refuge provides protection for the federally endangered Gray and Indiana bats, and their crucial habitat.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Watercress Darter fish in the water
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge, located in Bessemer, Alabama, was established to provide protection for the endangered watercress darter.
National Wildlife Refuge
Anniston,AL
Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Located southwest of Florence, Alabama, Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge protects the only known population of the endangered Alabama cavefish.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Cahaba River
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, located in Bibb County, Alabama, was established for the purpose of protecting and managing a unique section of the Cahaba River and land adjacent to it.
National Wildlife Refuge
An image of a Prairie Warbler perched in a tree.
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge's primary purpose is to enhance, manage, and protect the unique mountain longleaf pine ecosystem in northeast Alabama.
National Wildlife Refuge
Anniston,AL