Start Your Adventure
Cave
Hours
Mon : 10 AM – 5:30 PM | Fri : 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Sat : 9 AM – 5:30 PM | Sun : 11 AM – 5:30 PM
ADDRESS
5181 DeSoto Caverns Parkway
Childersburg, AL 35044
PHONE
256.378.7252
Cave Uniques
History
America’s Most Historic Caverns with human history dating back over 2,000 years.
Science
Majestic Caverns contains the largest accumulation of gem stone quality onyx in the US with a vast array of formations throughout the cave!
Laser Light Show
On every guided caverns tour, guests will see a beautiful Laser light show. Check out our calendar of events to see what special show is going on when you plan to visit!
Know Before You Go
If you are planning a trip, here are some helpful things to know before you come!
ABOUT MAJESTIC CAVERNS
Majestic Caverns is the most historic caverns cave in America and is one of the most beautiful show caves in the US. The caverns and park are located under an hour from Birmingham, Alabama. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Childersburg, Alabama, Majestic Caverns is 60 degrees year round and offers tours every hour during operating hours. During your tour of the caverns you will learn the history of this incredible site, see and hear the unique earth sciences you observe under the earth’s surface, and witness a beautiful laser light show! There are over a dozen attractions above the cave, making Majestic Caverns the perfect visit for those seeking adventure, the great outdoors, and fun with family or friends.
PREHISTORIC
- In 1995, the entrance of the cave was renovated to have a tunnel entrance instead of 83 stairs into the cave. During this renovation, we unearthed some unusual bones. The bones were sent off to the University of Alabama and examined and were determined to be the femur of a young Mastodon.
BC 2,000
- The University of Alabama was able to date Native American bones found in Majestic Caverns back to the Woodland Indian period over 2,000 years ago. During a tour, you will hear about how Native Americans used the caverns as a shelter, a burial location, significant people in their history, cultural practices, Native American words and how they viewed the cave as a healing place, which is why the large room in the cave is called the Healing All Cathedral room as a translation of what Native Americans called it years ago.
1540
Hernando Desoto
- Hernando was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who came through the area. Two of his men stayed behind in Childersburg, Robles and Freyada, one of whom married a Native American women and settled in the area. This marriage makes Childersburg the first American settlement, pre-dating Jamestown.
1723
- The earliest Cave graffiti in the US was carved by I.W. Wright, a fur trader at Majestic Caverns in 1723.
1796
- Benjamin Hawkins was George Washington’s primary Indian agent who the Creek Indians invited on a special tour of Majestic Caverns. Benjamin Hawkins was so impressed with the “majestic” caverns that he wrote to President George Washington about the remarkable cave. The caverns trip went into records making it the first cave on record in the United States
1864
- Majestic Caverns has an original trench dug during the Civil War for mining gunpowder in the Caverns.
1912
Ida Mathis
- Ida Mathis purchased the Caverns in 1912 to mine it for its gemstone quality onyx. Ida Mathis is in the Women’s Hall of Fame for her work as the “Leader of Alabama’s agricultural Renaissance” and the “economic Moses of the South.” Her efforts have been estimated to be worth $20 million to her home state back in the early 1900s. The Caverns are still privately owned and run by her descendants today.
1920s
- The Cavern Tavern was a short-lived installation by Pete Willie, aka Old Popcorn. This Speakeasy served moonshine during the Prohibition in the 1920s.
1965
Caverns Opened to the Public
- In the summer of 1965 Fred Layton leased the cave from Allen Washington Mathis Jr to allow the public to experience tours of the awe-inspiring caverns.
1975
Allen Mathis
- Ida Mathis’ great-grandson began to operate the cave and spent years lighting it and putting the tunnel into the cave and all the attractions for guests
A Bit About Our History Together
Science Comes to Life When You’re Underground
It’s time for an adventure that takes you outside the boring and into the fascinating together. Step into adventure and awe together in this fascinating marvel.
Column
Stalactite
Stalagmite
Flow Stone
Underground Waterfall
US’ Largest Accumulation of Gemstone Quality Onyx
Longest Hanging Drapery Formation in America
Live Cave
Laser Light Show:
See Why Guests of All Ages love Majestic CAverns
Enjoy a Laser Light Show on every Caverns tour! check our calendar of events to see what show is scheduled for your visit.
Cave: Know Before you Go
Finding a destination that allows your church group to step out of man-made and into an awe-inspiring God-made environment is an incredible experience. This unique venue is the perfect place to disconnect from the distractions of this world and worship God within His creation.
Naturally 60 Degrees Year-Round
The caverns are a wonderful 60 degrees year round, meaning they’ll be comfortably warmer in the winter and a refreshing cool in the summer compared to the above ground outdoors. For your adventure in the cave we recommend wearing:
- Shoes with traction on the bottom of them
- In the winter, you’ll want heavy layers that are easy to remove, as you won’t need thick coats in the cave
- In the summer, you should be comfortable in the cave with your layers, but feel free to bring a sweater in case the you chill easily
TIME AND DISTANCE
⏱️The tour lasts just under an hour. Our guests will see our Healing All Cathedral Chamber that is taller than a 10 story building and longer than a football field and experience an underground laser light show during their tour in this beautiful chamber. This chamber has many impressive formations throughout and is why Majestic Caverns is considered one of the largest accumulations of gemstone quality onyx in the US! The tour also has a walk into our back chamber where there is an underground waterfall. We hope to host you on this extraordinary tour through America’s Most Historic Caverns.
🚶The cave tour is approximately 1/3 mile long. There are benches throughout the tour for where the guides stop and share about the cave history and science. We also have a laser light show during every tour where guests sit on benches to enjoy the show.
WE LOVE PETS, but caves don’t love their pee…
Yes, pets are allowed in the park as long as they remain on a leash. Inside the cave we only allow pets if you are capable of holding them throughout the tour. People who bring their pets are responsible for cleaning up their pet’s waste. People with pets also will be held responsible for any damage their pet creates. Because of the indoor-outdoors nature of a cave, we cannot have any animals using the restroom inside the caverns, so they must be small enough to be held through the entirety of the tour.
Great for Young and More Accessible than Most Caves
👶Babies: Strollers, wagons and baby backpacks are welcome in our cave. Our cave has a tunnel, making it accessible for you and your young ones. We also have a bathroom in the cave with a changing table, which can be helpful for those traveling with young kids. Our cave is an excellent cave for beginner explorers, there are no scary animals, there is an entertaining laser light show and the caverns is spacious and not clausterphobic.
♿️Handicap Accessibility: Unfortunately, due to the natural environment of our attraction, we are not ADA compliant. Many guests with reduced mobility have enjoyed our caverns as being more accessible than most all other cave. There are no stairs throughout the tour, so if a guest is able to walk for short distances, there are areas where they can navigate, although we require those in a wheelchair who wish to go on a tour to bring a capable assistant to help navigate portions of the cave.
More Details: There are no stairs in our cave, although the ramp into the cave reaches a degree, due to the natural depth of the cave, that is past ADA compliance. For all cave visitors in a wheelchair, it is required that you bring a capable assistant to help you with navigating the steeper portions of the cave and its ramp. We are handicap accessible throughout the Healing All Cathedral Room, which is the first room within our caverns and is accessible through a ramp. There is a passageway that narrows as our guests go towards our back room that would require someone to be able to walk through the back area while their wheelchair is folded in order to navigate through that narrow passageway. If the handicap guest is capable of walking a short distance that is supplied with a railing while the wheelchair is folded and brought through, our handicap guests will be able to see the entirety of the tour. If our guest is not capable of entering in the back of the cave, we have discount tours that still allow the guest to enjoy the Healing All Cathedral room within the caverns. Due to the natural environment of the cave, some areas had to be steeply ramped and will require an additional helper to navigate. You can ask for a discounted handicap tour if you are unable to experience the back of the cave when you are at our park and we would be happy to accomodate you.
We Offer Overnight Experiences at the Cave
Book an experience that cannot be created or replicated anywhere else. Enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind unforgettable adventure they’ll never forget. Overnights begin at a minimum booking of 20 people
LASER LIGHT SHOW
There ‘s always something beautiful to see here in the cave and that includes our laser light shows. We have a variety of laser light shows in our cave from our Lengend’s Show to our seasonal options ranging from Valentines’ Day, to Easter, to God & Country Show, and our popular Christmas Laser Light Show! Be sure to see the catch the unique show and we’ll be thrilled to host you at your next visit! Look at our event schedule to see which show is currently happening in the cave.
Cave Blogs
Majestic Caverns Named One of “Alabama’s Most Beautiful Places” by Southern Living
When your family is looking for the perfect day trip that combines natural wonder, comfortable adventure, and memories that last a lifetime, you need a destination that delivers on all fronts. That's exactly why we're thrilled to share that Southern Living has ranked...
Discover the Beauty of Majestic Caverns’ Underground Waterfall
Imagine stepping into a vast cavern and stepping through the back passageways hearing the soothing sound of water cascading down between ancient rock formations. At Majestic Caverns, you can experience this magic yourself! Our underground waterfall is one of the most...
Get in the Holiday Spirit with Our Christmas Laser Light Show!
Starting November 17, Majestic Caverns is transforming into a holiday wunderland with our Christmas Laser Light Show! Featured on all our guided tours, this unique experience is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Join us for a dazzling display of festive...
