Dames Cave is a 1.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Brooksville, Florida that features a cave and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The Dames Cave area is located in the Citrus Tract portion of the Withlacoochee State Forest in Citrus County, Florida and are found on a western portion of the Brooksville Ridge physiographic region. This landscape is dominated by karst landforms including uvalas, dolines, solution valleys, and caves. Geologically, the caves are among the oldest in Florida. The entrance trail to the Dames Caves is located south of Lecanto, Florida on highway 491. After passing the Central Florida Community College and traveling southbound for several miles, on the left hand side is a series of cement posts, a dirt road turnoff and a small garbage can. Quite possibly there will be several cars already parked there, as these will be the only indicators that one of Florida's most unique and oldest cave systems is just a short jaunt off of this straight and narrow farm road. Parking is free, but is at your own risk, mainly because there are no designated parking spots. A short half-mile trail leads off into the Withlacoochee State Forest. Once again, no trails are marked, but heading directly east will bring you to the opening of one of the most popular caves. Surrounded by several concrete posts and heavy gauge wire, the opening to Vandal Cave appears before your eyes. One of the best spot for pictures, this cave opening is actually an ancient roof collapse. Part of the roof is still connected and creates a land bridge that can be easily walked across by daring individuals. A small side cave allows access into the inner cave system. Once inside you can see why it is called Vandal Cave. Graffiti and other damage can be seen throughout, explaining why this cave system is so hard to find. Other smaller caves branch off from this Vandal Cave and range in a variety of difficulties of exploration from simple head ducking and flashlight exploring to belly-slinking and crawling through tight spots in the mud. Open sunrise to sunset, no camping, fires, or alcohol allowed
January 19, 2021nice
January 19, 2021January 18, 2021January 18, 2021It was about a mile walk to get to the caves. Brought our dogs along and they were able to explore the large cave with us. The interior of the caves were beautiful! Some of them looked like they were glistening with crystals from the condensation of the land.
January 10, 2021January 10, 2021It is a nice hike to do with kids. All kinds of fun places to explore! It was beautiful out there and climbing through the caves was so fun! We went on a Sunday and it was pretty busy. I definitely want to go back on a weekday. Lots of people out there with their dogs, so must be a dog friendly trail.
January 6, 2021Beautiful trail
January 3, 2021January 1, 2021December 31, 2020December 28, 2020Excellently marked out. Very dry. Good exercise!
November 21, 2020November 18, 2020November 8, 2020Pretty awesome trail , had total of 5 caves. Didn’t see any wild life but it was pretty busy with people and kids. Brought our dog Ava , and she was able to fit in 3 of the caves . The 5th cave was at the beginning of the hiking “loop” but no other caves on the loop but still very pretty views.
October 30, 2020October 17, 2020Cools place, couple of caves to see. Can get pretty busy, go early if possible. Did the 3.9 loop was nice, not to many bugs, definitely wear appropriate footwear for the caves!
October 10, 2020It was hot of course. It's the Florida scrub. Will come back and camp out there during winter. Would like to complete the loop.
October 4, 2020Pretty easy hike. Like others have said, lots of graffiti in the cave.
September 30, 2020Awesome hike bring bug spray and water. Saw a very large rattle snake
September 13, 2020Soggy because of rain. Lots of Graffiti. Nice little hike!!
September 8, 2020September 7, 2020This hike was great! I felt like I was in north Florida with the caves and the rocks! Beware:tons of MASSIVE spiders have thin almost invisible webs all throughout the trail. Take your camera and go have fun :-)
September 5, 2020It was easy. Lots of pretty mushrooms to see after all the recent rains. Good canopy, no need for sunscreen. Kids loved it.
August 21, 2020Short fun to go in cave
July 25, 2020Great trail to take kids. Go inside the cave to get a little bit of relief from the heat
June 16, 2020Sadly there’s a lot of trash left behind and the signage has been destroyed/vandalized. I wish more Floridians appreciated/respected the environment they live in.... sigh. Overall an easy hike with lots of side shooting trails. Parking area is easy to miss and might be best to back into a spot so you don’t have to reverse onto a busy country road. 6/17/20
May 24, 2020Great trail. Caves had some trash and graffiti on all the walls.
May 1, 2020Super easy hike, 12 mins to Dames Cave and then another 5 mins to Peace Cave. Bring a light for Peace Cave. Good for children. Lots of litter :-( Please bring out whatever you take in.
April 27, 2020This was such a simple walk ‘hike’ and the main cave was really easy to get into, a friend is 6 months pregnant and did it ! It took no time at all and we will definitely be going back!
