If you searched DeSoto Caverns, you’re in the right place.
What was long known as DeSoto Caverns is now Majestic Caverns—the same historic cavern, the same family ownership, and the same location in Childersburg. The name changed, but the heart, history, and experience did not.
So why the change—and why does it matter for guests? Here’s the clear, honest explanation.
Why DeSoto Caverns Became Majestic Caverns
For years, guests loved the name DeSoto Caverns—but many were also consistently confused by it.
Because of the shared “DeSoto” name, visitors frequently mixed us up with DeSoto State Park, a beautiful, state-run park located in a different part of Alabama that does not have a cave. The overlap caused real, recurring problems:
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Families planned trips expecting state-park amenities and arrived at our privately owned cavern instead.
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Guests heading to our special events messaged, “We’re here—where are you?” from miles away.
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Groups missed appointments because Google Maps surfaced different “DeSoto” locations depending on where they started.
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On one occasion, a graduate student group arrived at the wrong DeSoto location for an academic program tied to their thesis.
This wasn’t a one-off. It happened often—and it wasn’t fair to our guests.
As a privately owned, family-run attraction, we felt a responsibility to remove that confusion, even though it meant significant effort and cost on our end.
Clarity for Guests Came First
We are not a state park.
We are not government funded.
We are not located near DeSoto State Park.
We are a historic cavern in Childersburg, Alabama, cared for by the same family for five generations.
The name change was about clarity:
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clarity of location
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clarity of ownership
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clarity of what experience guests can expect
Changing the name ensured that when guests plan a visit, book a group, or enter directions into their map, they arrive exactly where they intended—without stress, missed appointments, or disappointment.
Why the Name “Majestic Caverns”
“Majestic” is not a modern invention for us. It’s a historical description.
When we studied early documents and accounts tied to the cavern, we found the word majestic used repeatedly to describe this place. Native American translations referenced the site as awe-inspiring and significant. Early observers—including accounts connected to George Washington’s Native American scouts—described the cavern using that same language.
For a site with such deep history, choosing a name rooted in how the cavern itself has long been described felt appropriate and respectful.
What the Name Change Does Not Mean
It does not mean:
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a change in ownership
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a change in values
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a change in how history is shared
The current CEO, Allen Mathis—who has worked at the cavern for more than 50 years—is the same person who named it DeSoto Caverns decades ago and was present at the renaming ceremony. This was not a break from the past, but an evolution in service to our guests.
We continue to share the role of Hernando de Soto in the region’s history as part of the cavern’s story. That history has not been erased or avoided. The name change simply reflects a broader, more accurate identity for a place whose story spans Native American history, colonial exploration, American wars, and modern preservation.
A Small Business Choice—Made for Visitors
We understand that changing a historic name can raise questions. For us, this decision came from a place of hospitality.
As a small, family-owned attraction, we chose to absorb the cost and complexity of rebranding so our guests wouldn’t bear the cost of confusion. We believe visitors deserve to know:
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where they’re going
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who owns the site
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and what experience they’re arriving for
That clarity simply wasn’t possible under the old name.
Formerly DeSoto Caverns—Still the Same Place You Love
So if you’ve known us as DeSoto Caverns, welcome back.
Majestic Caverns (formerly DeSoto Caverns) is the same living cavern, in the same location, cared for by the same family, with the same commitment to history, education, and hospitality.
The name changed so your visit could be easier.
And if you searched DeSoto Caverns, you truly are in the right place.
