Visit Us

A group of people birding.
Image Details

Due to the remote nature of Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge, visitor access is extremely limited. The primary means of public accessibility is by way of the Paint Rock River, where it serves as a refuge border. There is no road access to the refuge as the refuge is surrounded by privately owned land. Please be aware of current weather conditions and your individual capabilities. Be sure to bring insect repellent and drinking water. 

Some of the main points of interest at Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge are the various cave entrances. Remarkably, there are dry and wet entrances to the cave. One is naturally submerged, while the others are above land. One of the unique entrances has become an ongoing roosting site for vultures in the area. The cave itself can only be accessed with a special use permit, due to potential disturbance of certain endangered species. 

Activities

Photography
Wildlife watching

Related Documents

Fern Cave NWR Fact Sheet
Name
Fern Cave NWR Fact Sheet
PDF

Other Facilities in the 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

Locations

Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
(256) 353-7243
C/O Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge2700 Refuge Headquarters RoadDecatur,AL35603-5202