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Gray bats emerging from Sauta Cave
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Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is located just above the Sauty Creek embayment on TVA's Guntersville Reservoir, 7 miles west of Scottsboro in Jackson County, Alabama. There is an entrance gate to the Refuge on the south side of U.S. Highway 72.

There is no visitor center at the refuge. Access via road will involve an approximately 100 yard walk/hike. Please be aware of current weather conditions and your individual capabilities. The cave viewing platform is universally accessible. Be sure to bring insect repellent and drinking water.

For bat emergence viewing, it is recommended that you bring a flashlight, and cover/rain gear due to bat guano droppings.

Activities

Hunting
Wildlife watching
Photography
Ranger-led programs

Other Facilities in the Complex

Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex. 

Snow Geese
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
Located in Decatur, AL, the refuge attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl each year as well as manages and protects habitat for 12 federally endangered or threatened species.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Three healthy Indiana bats huddled in a cave
Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Home to the largest wintering colony of gray bats in the US, Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect this endangered species.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Watercress Darter fish in the water
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge, located in Bessemer, Alabama, was established to provide protection for the endangered watercress darter.
National Wildlife Refuge
Anniston,AL
Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Located southwest of Florence, Alabama, Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge protects the only known population of the endangered Alabama cavefish.
National Wildlife Refuge
Decatur,AL
Cahaba River
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, located in Bibb County, Alabama, was established for the purpose of protecting and managing a unique section of the Cahaba River and land adjacent to it.
National Wildlife Refuge
Anniston,AL
An image of a Prairie Warbler perched in a tree.
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge's primary purpose is to enhance, manage, and protect the unique mountain longleaf pine ecosystem in northeast Alabama.
National Wildlife Refuge
Anniston,AL

Locations

Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
(256) 353-7243
C/O Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge2700 Refuge Headquarters RoadDecatur,AL35603-5202