Is there an entrance fee at Russell Cave National Monument?

NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee.

What time does Russell Cave National Monument close?

The main gate closes at 4:30 pm central time. NPS lists closures for three holidays, including Thanksgiving Day.

Are dogs allowed at Russell Cave National Monument?

NPS marks pets as permitted on several things to do here, including the Russell Cave Nature Trail. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet and are not allowed in public buildings.

What is there to do at Russell Cave National Monument?

NPS lists things to do such as the Russell Cave Museum, the Russell Cave Film, a picnic and the Russell Cave Nature Trail.

All parks › Russell Cave National Monument

Russell Cave National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee: None^[1]
Busiest month (2025): July^[2]
Recreation visits, 2025: 7,821^[3]
Visitor centers: 1^[4]

Russell Cave National Monument is a National Park System unit in Alabama^[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee^[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Russell Cave National Monument^[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

NPS counted 1,113 recreation visits in July 2025, the busiest month that year^[2]. The park had 0 counted visits in October 2025^[2]. NPS describes the weather in Bridgeport, Alabama as mild, with winter averages in the low 50's and summer averages in the high 80's^[6]. The main gate closes at 4:30 pm, and hours are in central time^[7]. NPS lists full-day closures on 2026-11-26, 2026-12-25 and 2027-01-01^[7].

Recreation visits counted by the National Park Service in each month of 2025. The busiest month, July, is highlighted^[2].

Show visits by month

Month, 2025	Recreation visits
January	1,048
February	282
March	350
April	635
May	775
June	585
July	1,113
August	818
September	704
October	0
November	807
December	704

Show visits by year

Year	Recreation visits
2021^[3]	22,393
2022^[3]	16,988
2023^[3]	8,678
2024^[3]	9,261
2025^[3]	7,821

Pets and dogs

Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet, and they are not allowed in public buildings^[8]. Each park can close more areas to pets^[8]. NPS marks pets as permitted on several things to do here, including the Russell Cave Nature Trail^[9].

Before you go

NPS lists no entrance fee here^[1].
NPS lists one visitor center, the Gilbert Grosvenor Visitor Center^[4].
Activities NPS lists include guided tours, hiking, birdwatching and the Junior Ranger Program^[10].
Hours and closures can change, so confirm on the official NPS park page before you go^[7].

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Russell Cave National Monument?: NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee^[1].
What time does Russell Cave National Monument close?: The main gate closes at 4:30 pm central time^[7]. NPS lists closures for three holidays, including Thanksgiving Day^[7].
Are dogs allowed at Russell Cave National Monument?: NPS marks pets as permitted on several things to do here, including the Russell Cave Nature Trail^[9]. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet and are not allowed in public buildings^[8].
What is there to do at Russell Cave National Monument?: NPS lists things to do such as the Russell Cave Museum, the Russell Cave Film, a picnic and the Russell Cave Nature Trail^[9].

Facts and sources

NPS lists Russell Cave National Monument as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 22,393, 2022: 16,988, 2023: 8,678, 2024: 9,261, 2025: 7,821. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Gilbert Grosvenor Visitor Center). National Park Service
Russell Cave National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument) in Alabama. National Park Service
NPS weather and seasons overview for Russell Cave National Monument. National Park Service
Operating hours, Russell Cave National Monument: The park is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. All operating hours are in central time and the main gate into the park closes at 4:30 pm. Listed exceptions: Thanksgiving Day 2026-11-26 to... National Park Service
National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
NPS lists 6 things to do at Russell Cave National Monument: View the Russell Cave Museum, View the Russell Cave Film, Pack a Picnic and Make a Day of it, Take a Hike on the Russell Cave Nature Trail, Earn Your Russell Cave B.A.R.K Ranger Badge, Become a... National Park Service
Activities NPS lists for Russell Cave National Monument: Guided Tours, Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Living History, Historic Weapons Demonstration, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Museum Exhibits, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store. National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.