📜 Historic Nickajack Cave, biologically important for endangered gray bats.
🔍 Features a massive bat emergence at sunset from late April to early October.

Why Go

🦇 Witness thousands of gray bats emerging at sunset
🛶 Paddle or walk to an observation platform for views
🏞️ Explore a site rich in Native American and Civil War history
💡 Learn about Johnny Cash's spiritual experience

Why Avoid

⚠️ Water levels vary, may be too low for big boats
🚧 Cave entrance fenced off to protect bats, direct access restricted
🚫 Restrooms are closed at Maple View Day Use Area, portable outhouse provided

Tips

🗓️ Best bat viewing is late summer, with peak numbers in June and July
🔦 Bring multiple lights if paddling after dark due to commercial barge traffic
🅿️ Small parking lot can fill up; consider canoeing from a campground across the lake

Hours

🕒 Maple View Day Use Area open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time from April through October.