About Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, known as Blowing Wind Cave NWR until 1999, lies just above the Sauty Creek embayment of TVA’s Guntersville Reservoir, seven miles west of Scottsboro, Jackson County, Alabama. The refuge established in 1978, under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide protection for the federally endangered gray and Indiana bats and their crucial habitat consisting of 264 acres of hardwood forest. The cave provides a summer roosting site for about 300,000 - 400,000 gray bats and a winter hibernaculum for both bats. There are two entrances into the cave on the Refuge but they are closed to the public. As a result of the unique species within the cave, the Alabama Natural Heritage Program ranks the cave's biodiversity as a site of very high significance. In addition to the rare fauna within the cave, the federally threatened Price's potato-bean occurs on the Refuge.
How to Get There
Sauta Cave NWR is located just above the Sauty Creek embayment of TVA's Guntersville Reservoir, seven miles west of Scottsboro, Alabama, just off highway 72.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/3925) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge?
Sauta Cave NWR is located just above the Sauty Creek embayment of TVA's Guntersville Reservoir, seven miles west of Scottsboro, Alabama, just off highway 72.
How do I contact Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 256-353-7243 or email: wheeler@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
