Russell Cave National Monument

Russell Cave preserves several millennia of prehistory.

A cloud of mist lends a mystical air to Russell Cave.

Russell Cave, where Indians lived 9,000 years ago.

Thousands of years before the arrival of Columbus, bands of Native Americans used Russell Cave as a home. The cave provided shelter from the cold north winds and abundant food and water were nearby.

People began to inhabit Russell Cave at least 12,000 years ago, and stopped living here around the middle of the 17th century.

Demonstrations, audiovisual programs and museum exhibits tell the story of how these early inhabitants fed, clothed and protected themselves.

The monument does not have campgrounds, but state, county and commercial campgrounds are within a few miles.