Manitou Cave

Manitou Cave is a limestone cave that extends into Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne and contains multiple underground passages with natural formations. The interior displays stalactites, stalagmites, and mineral deposits, with water features flowing through several chambers.

The cave was used by the Confederate Army during the Civil War to extract saltpeter for making gunpowder. Earlier, Cherokee inscriptions were left on the walls, showing the site's importance to Native peoples in earlier times.

The name comes from Cherokee language and refers to a protective spirit associated with this place. Visitors can see inscriptions on the walls today that show the historical importance of this location to Native peoples.

Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the passages inside are uneven and sometimes slippery. Guided tours are offered, and reserving ahead is recommended to secure your spot.

The cave is home to the only known population of the Manitou Cave Snail, a species found nowhere else on Earth. This rare snail lives in the moist environments of the inner chambers and holds great interest for scientists.

GPS coordinates: 34.42890,-85.72390

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:23