Stephens Gap Callahan Cave Preserve

This cave is really pretty. We were a family of 4, kids 8 and 11, and made it in and to the opposite side just fine. The home there is about 3/4 mile of easy to follow trail with some minor inclines. This is definitely worth the drive and hike time if you’re in the area and want to see something unique.

You have to get a pass and permit to go.

Permit is required to enter, but we were able to get it the same day. The hike to the cave is fairly easy when the trail is dry. There are a couple of places that may be quite slippery and dangerous when wet. The cave itself is a great experience. Kids loved it.

Definitely worth the adventure. Easy place to find parking lot is secure with trailhead at the car. Elected to go during a weekday due to securing a permit. It had rained for several days before so it was slippery and muddy. Definitely recommend hiking poles and good hiking boots. Trail to the cavern as marked well and took about 45 minutes to get to the cavern. Absolutely spectacular to see. We did the walk in and you must wear a helmet.

A fave place to explore. You need a permit and a helmet. Flashlight is helpful too.

Quick hike to cave from parking area. Not suitable for everyone. There is a little scramble. Some might benefit with trekking poles. Pretty waterfall. Plan to get wet and a little muddy if you go in the cabe. Plan maybe three hours to hike in and out, explore the cave and enjoy the falls.

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Not too hard to get to. Must have permit and helmet! I do suggest going. It felt amazing when we got inside. It was worth going for sure!

Make sure to have some kind of clicker for you camera if you want a good angle. I would have liked to have a picture like the second shot, a little further back.

I had to book a couple months out! So get on it if you want to go. Be careful you can slide on the trail rocks/mud and when you get to the cave.

The cave is absolutely incredible. SCCI does a tremendous job protecting and preserving the cave. The permitting process is pretty straightforward on their website (and free). The hike is short but strenuous in some places. The area around the cave is extremely dangerous, especially at the top. There are no rails. You are playing by big boy rules out here. You have the option to rappel down with proper equipment/permits/training or walk into the cave via a side entrance. The walk in entrance is still dangerous and slippery. The interior of the cave is massive and in pristine condition.

Do not attempt to access the cave if you have mobility issues. Be aware of your surroundings. Wear good boots, bring multiple bright flashlights. Stay away from ledges. This is an amazing cave as long as you adequately prepare and are safe. Hats off to the SSCI for keeping the cave accessible, as safe as possible and pristine.

Awesome place. My 1st visit was awesome. Make sure to obtain a permit (super easy to do a permit online). Make sure to follow yellow trail markers and the second half of trail is uphill. Be careful slippery rocks go into cave. Will do this again

Permit Required to enter. There is a 1.5 round trip hike. If it’s raining the path can get very slippery and the hike can be challenging so be careful.

This is a pretty great place to check out though. Make sure to follow all rules.

Excellent moderate hike. The cave and falls were worth it. Recommend early in morning to catch sunlight streaking through the cave opening.

Make sure you get the permit. The code for the gate is in the confirmation email. Trail itself to get to the cave is about 0.7 miles, getting a little challenging past halfway. The cave itself is amazing. It was fearful and amusing at the same time. If you want to experience the waterfall, make sure to visit in spring.

When you secure the permit, you receive all of the details you need to be prepared and have a great time hiking to and from the cave, as well as your time within it. We went in mid-September, a drier month in Alabama, and that gave us surer footing along what could be—in wet months—a much more difficult day of footing both along the hike and inside the cave. We entered by foot, we did not repel. The location is scenic and remote a truly wonderful experience. They limit the amount of permits per day which not only helps on the wear and tear of the cave itself but that policy also offers a really good chance to experience it on your own—which we were able to. Fantastic.

Great hike!!!! Make SURE you go to the website, log in, sign waver and get the gate code before going or else you won't be able to get in. If you go without doing all that, you could be arrested. So do the right thing. It's SO worth it! And please don't leave anything behind and be safe!

Stunning and peaceful. The cave itself was not terribly dark and the cool air was amazing on a hot day after hiking to the entrance. Not crowded at all because of the required permit. Would definitely return.

Such a neat place to explore. Definitely need to be careful in some spots in there but overall is pretty safe. There’s not always a waterfall, but I chose a time after it rained for that reason. Easy, and nice, 15ish minute hike to the cave entrance. And don’t forget a permit is required, so you’ll need to plan ahead.

Difficult hike in, but worth the effort! Have to get a permit to go in, but it only took a few minutes on line. Donations only. :) Awesome!

Excellent nature preserve. About a 20 min hike on marked trails to get to the big cave. Wifi at the parking lot was great a I needed to sign my waiver and vertical had no signal at the lot but did a little once outside the cave. Bring water and snacks and spend the day out here. Cave was around 65 degrees it felt like.

Absolutely amazing! We secured our permit online through a very easy process. While the hike to the cave was short it did kick our butts a little more than expected. I was nervous about entering the cave so I crawled down the rocks carefully as it is slick in areas. Once inside it is just simply breathtaking. We watched a few people rappel into the cave for photos which was really neat.

Dont forget to get your permits from SCCi before you get there!

Outstanding experience. Definitely revisiting. Entered through a horizontal entrance with vertical decline. Upon entry, the cave was dark and humid. As noontime approached, the rays of the sun fell through the shaft above and illuminated what one could consider a staging platform. The waterfall just behind lit up in stunning glory. Breathtaking!

Awesome little hidden spot. A relatively short hike to the waterfall and cave. Just beautiful all around!!