About Russell Cave National Monument

Russell Cave National Monument

The Russel Cave National Monument is approximately an hours drive from the Tims Ford Lake Area.

Russell Cave National Monument, located in northeastern Alabama near the city of Bridgeport, is a significant archaeological site within the U.S. National Park System. 

This national monument is renowned for having one of the most comprehensive records of prehistoric peoples in the Southeast United States, with evidence dating from about 10,000 BCE to 1650 CE. These findings provide a window into the lives of early North American inhabitants.

Russel Cave National Monument

Archaeologists in the 1950s unearthed a vast array of artifacts at Russell Cave, reflecting over 10,000 years of continuous use, making it a site of immense historical and cultural significance. The monument, which encompasses 310 acres, was established on May 11, 1961, when the land was donated by the National Geographic Society to the American people. It is situated just south of the Alabama-Tennessee border at 3729 County Road 98 in Bridgeport, Alabama.

In addition to its archaeological importance, Russell Cave was named a National Monument in 1961 and was subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Today, it not only serves as a protective site for these important historical artifacts but also as an attraction for visitors from all over the world. Furthermore, Russell Cave is a notable stop on the North Alabama Birding Trail, highlighting its ecological as well as historical significance.