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Sinking Cove Cave Preserve

Management Plan | Make a Donation

The SCCi manages caver access to the Sinking Cove area (also known as Compartment Four of the Carter Lands) under a lease agreement. The caves included in the lease are Sinking Cove Cave, Cave Cove Cave, and Custard Hollow Cave. The area was closed to cavers  in February, 2001 when it was leased by a new management group. By executing a  sub-lease of caving rights from Deep South Outdoors, SCCi re-opened the area to cavers for access outside of Tennessee deer and turkey seasons. Access to the preserve by SCCi members and guests is limited to the dates and periods determined and announced by SCCi and Deep South Outdoors. During those periods, access for caving and camping is allowed as defined in the Management Plan.

Custard Hollow Cave.

Access for caving and camping is governed by the Sinking Cove Cave Preserve Management Plan. In a nutshell, you must email ahead and notify us that you're coming. You will receive a letter in response that will serve as your permit. At least one person in the group must be a current SCCi member. Our lease requires that the individual named on the permit be a current member of SCCi. Large groups (more than 16 people) need to request special permission at least two weeks in advance. The combination to the SCCi lock on the gate at the end of Sinking Cove Road will be provided with your permit letter. The combination is changed frequently by the preserve managers. Special lock codes are assigned for the duration of group permits.

Your Permission Response Letter is your Permit
Deep South Outdoors (DSO), the primary lease holder for the area including Sinking Cove and Custard Hollow,  requires that all permit holders must carry their permit with them while on the property and be prepared to show it when asked by any of the staff or other users. This policy was instituted by the DSO to control unauthorized access, poaching, and vandalism. It was designed for the hunters, but we have to abide as well. 

Our situation is a little different, as we are allowed to take guests where the hunters are not. In our case, at least one member of any group of cavers present must be an SCCi member and must have the permit letter. That individual is the permit holder, and his or her name will be on the permit letter. The other members of the group are regarded as guests of that member. The permit holder is responsible for knowing the rules and conditions of the permit and making sure that all members of the group abide by them. Cavers should carry a copy of their permit letter with them (one copy per group) when hiking to entrances remote from their parking area.

Property Cleanup
As part of the lease, we are required to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of the property. This is usually done in May at the beginning of the Summer open season.

The SCCi pays a substantial annual fee for this lease. Contributions and donations to help cover the cost of the lease are very much appreciated.

NOTICE: To help prevent the spread of the deadly White Nose Syndrome (WNS) affecting bat populations, please read the SCCi Cave Visitation Policy and follow the guidelines.

Acreage: Leased in Franklin County, Tennessee
Property Manager: Buddy Lane (sinkingcove@scci.org)
Access: SCCi membership card and advance notification required. 16 person group size limit. Closed during deer and turkey seasons. See the management plan for details.

Commercial Use Statement
The Board of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) reaffirms its standing policy that bans the commercial use of our properties, and specifically, prohibits any activity where a charge of any type is made. Should you have any questions, contact the SCCi Chair at chair@scci.org .