🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Sitton's Cave Adventures and Bat Week at Cloudland Canyon, Pumpkin Destruction Saturday in Tullahoma, Ringgold's Holiday Market, a Twining Workshop at DeSoto State Park and the Mentone Art Crawl

Or: Crawl Through a Real Wild Cave, Make a Bat Craft, Watch Old Pumpkins Go Flying, Shop a Small-Town Holiday Market, Weave Your Own Rug Square and Stroll a Mountain Town’s Studios — Six New Day Trips Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Friday, October 23, 2026

Howdy, neighbor. Pour the coffee and grab a pencil. Here’s batch number sixty-five of Hundred-Mile Happenings, our running list of unusual, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap. Same promise as always: when, where, how far, what it costs and who’ll love it, in plain words. And no repeats. Every one of these is new to the list.

This batch starts tomorrow and runs to mid-December. Rangers at Cloudland Canyon State Park lead muddy, lights-off trips into Sitton’s Cave on Oct. 24, 25 and 31, and the same park hosts Bat Week programs every morning Oct. 25–30. Tullahoma’s Hands-On Science Center launches leftover pumpkins at Pumpkin Destruction Saturday on Nov. 7. Ringgold, Georgia has a Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 14. Crafters can sign up for a three-day Twining with Fabric weaving workshop at DeSoto State Park, Nov. 20–22. And Mentone, Alabama opens its studios and shops for the Mentone Art Crawl & Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 12.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sat., Oct. 24; Sun., Oct. 25; Sat., Oct. 31 (Eastern): Sitton’s Cave Adventures, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, Ga. $45 a person plus parking. Call to register: 706-657-4050. Ages 10 and up.
• Sun., Oct. 25–Fri., Oct. 30, 10–11 a.m. Eastern (9–10 a.m. OUR time): Bat Week, Cloudland Canyon Interpretive Center. Craft days listed at $5; check before you go.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Central — our time): Pumpkin Destruction Saturday, Hands-On Science Center, Tullahoma. Event cost not stated; check before you go.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m.–3 p.m. OUR time): Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Holiday Market, Ringgold United Methodist Church, Ringgold, Ga.
• Fri.–Sun., Nov. 20–22 (Central — our time): Twining with Fabric Workshop, DeSoto State Park, Ala. $150; sign up by Nov. 10.
• Sat., Dec. 12, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Central — our time): Mentone Art Crawl & Holiday Open House, Mentone, Ala.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Cloudland Canyon and Ringgold are in Georgia, on EASTERN time. Tullahoma, DeSoto State Park and Mentone are CENTRAL, same as us. For the Georgia trips, subtract an hour: Bat Week’s 10 a.m. program is 9 a.m. our time, and a 9:30 a.m. cave check-in is 8:30 a.m. our time. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Set the clocks back the night of Oct. 31. Georgia and Tennessee change together, so the one-hour difference stays the same.

🔦 Crawl Through a Real Wild Cave on a Ranger-Led Sitton’s Cave Adventure

This isn’t a cave with sidewalks and colored lights. Sitton’s Cave, at the bottom of Cloudland Canyon State Park on Lookout Mountain, is a “wild cave”: no paved trails, no handrails and no lights. A park naturalist leads small groups underground for about 2 to 2½ hours of crawling, scrambling over rocks and maybe wading a stream. October is one of the last months the park runs these trips this year.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 24 (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 1:30–4:30 p.m. Eastern), Sun., Oct. 25 (1:30–4:30 p.m. Eastern) and Sat., Oct. 31 (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 1:30–4:30 p.m. Eastern). That’s 8:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. OUR time.
• Where: Meet at the Interpretive Center, Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA 30738. The group then drives about six miles down the mountain to the cave parking area.
• How far: About 57 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $45 per person, paid ahead, plus the park’s parking fee.
• Who’ll love it: Adventurous kids 10 and older, scout groups and grown-ups who don’t mind getting muddy.
• Good to know: ⚠️ You must register ahead by calling the park office at 706-657-4050 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.). Groups are small, so spots may already be gone, especially for tomorrow. Under-18s need a parent, guardian or approved chaperone. You’ll crawl through spaces about 3 feet high. Wear long pants, a warm shirt and closed-toe shoes (no sandals or Crocs), and bring a full change of clothes plus a trash bag for the muddy ones. Gear is provided. The cave stays 56 to 60 degrees.

👉 Read more (Georgia State Parks — Sitton’s Cave Adventures)

🦇 Meet the Night Shift at Bat Week in Cloudland Canyon

Bats get a bad rap around Halloween, but they’re the best bug-catchers in the Valley. Cloudland Canyon State Park is celebrating them with a short program at its Interpretive Center every morning for six days. A regional events listing says the days alternate between bat crafts and bat learning programs. It’s an easy, low-key choice for families who’d rather stay above ground.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sun., Oct. 25 through Fri., Oct. 30, 2026, 10–11 a.m. Eastern each day — that’s 9–10 a.m. OUR time.
• Where: Interpretive Center, Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA 30738. Questions: 706-657-4050.
• How far: About 57 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: A Lookout Mountain events listing says the craft days are $5. Georgia State Parks charges a parking fee. Check before you go which days are crafts.
• Who’ll love it: Grade-schoolers, homeschool families, grandparents with grandkids and anybody curious about the critters that fly at dusk.
• Good to know: It’s a one-hour program, so make a day of it. The canyon overlooks are a short walk from the main parking area. Leave the Valley by about 7:30 a.m. our time to make the 9 a.m. (our time) start.

👉 Read more (Explore Georgia — Bat Week at Cloudland Canyon)

🎃 Watch Old Pumpkins Go Flying at Pumpkin Destruction Saturday in Tullahoma

Don’t toss that tired jack-o’-lantern yet. The Hands-On Science Center in Tullahoma is inviting folks to bring their leftover pumpkins and watch them get launched by a machine built by Perikin Enterprises. It’s science, it’s messy, and kids will be talking about it all week.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 7, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Central Time — our time.
• Where: Hands-On Science Center, 101 Mitchell Blvd., Tullahoma, TN.
• How far: About 70 miles, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes over the mountain. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: The event announcement doesn’t list a price. The science center’s regular admission is listed at $8 ($6 for seniors and military, free for ages 2 and under), but it isn’t clear whether you need to pay to watch the launch. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Kids who like things that go splat, budding engineers and families looking for a cheap Saturday outing.
• Good to know: Keep your pumpkin in a cool spot until then. A week of warm weather can turn one to mush. Pack wipes and a towel for the ride home.

👉 Read more (93.9 The Duck — Pumpkin Destruction Saturday)

🎁 Get a Head Start on Gifts at the Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Holiday Market in Ringgold

The folks behind Ringgold’s Rabbit Valley Farmers Market are moving indoors for a one-day Holiday Market at Ringgold United Methodist Church. It’s a good, small-town way to cross a few names off the Christmas list without fighting mall traffic.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 14, 2026, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern — that’s 10 a.m.–3 p.m. OUR time.
• Where: Ringgold United Methodist Church, 7484 Nashville St., Ringgold, GA.
• How far: About 47 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes by way of Chattanooga and I-75. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Admission isn’t posted. Check before you go. Bring cash for vendors. The listing mentions free parking nearby.
• Who’ll love it: Early Christmas shoppers, farmers-market regulars and anybody who likes buying from the person who made it.
• Good to know: The town listing also shows an SEC watch party downtown the same day, so expect a busier Ringgold that afternoon. The vendor list isn’t posted yet; check before you go.

👉 Read more (Nothin’ Like Ringgold — Rabbit Valley Holiday Market)

🧵 Weave Your Own Rug Square at the Twining with Fabric Workshop at DeSoto State Park

Here’s one for the crafters. DeSoto State Park and the Little River Arts Council are hosting expert weaver Patty Baird for a multi-session class in twining, an old weaving method used for rugs and chair seats. She’ll share its history, show how to build a simple loom and help you pick fabrics. By the end, you’ll take home a 12-by-18-inch woven piece and your own loom.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Fri., Nov. 20 through Sun., Nov. 22, 2026. The Friday session is listed at 6–9 p.m. Central — our time. Saturday and Sunday session times aren’t posted; check before you go.
• Where: DeSoto State Park, 7104 DeSoto Parkway NE, Fort Payne (Valley Head area), AL.
• How far: About 82 miles, roughly 2 hours up Lookout Mountain. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $150 per person, which covers most supplies and the loom.
• Who’ll love it: Quilters, rug-makers, retirees with a crafty streak and anybody who’s wanted to learn a heritage skill.
• Good to know: ⚠️ You must sign up by Tuesday, Nov. 10. It’s three days of sessions, so think about staying over at the park lodge or nearby, or plan on a long drive home Friday night. Registration details are on the Little River Arts Council site.

👉 Read more (AllEvents — Twining with Fabric Workshop details)

🎨 Stroll the Studios at the Mentone Art Crawl & Holiday Open House

Mentone, Alabama is a tiny artists’ town on top of Lookout Mountain, and for one Saturday in December its artisan shops and studios throw open their doors. The Little River Arts Council lists the Mentone Art Crawl & Holiday Open House as a town-wide walk-and-browse day, perfect for one-of-a-kind gifts.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Dec. 12, 2026, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Central Time — our time.
• Where: Shops and studios around Mentone, AL. The list of stops isn’t posted yet; check before you go.
• How far: About 76 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No admission posted. Bring money for gifts and lunch.
• Who’ll love it: Art lovers, gift hunters and couples looking for a slow, scenic mountain Saturday.
• Good to know: Last year’s first-ever crawl ended with a Christmas tree lighting at the Mentone Inn. We couldn’t confirm whether that’s happening again this year, so check the arts council’s Facebook page before you go. Mountain-top roads are winding and can be icy in December; check the weather.

👉 Read more (Little River Arts Council — 2026 events)

✅ Remember These Dates

• Call 706-657-4050 now if you want a Sitton’s Cave spot. Registration is by phone only.
• Sat., Oct. 24 (8:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. OUR time), Sun., Oct. 25 (12:30 p.m. OUR time) and Sat., Oct. 31 (8:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. OUR time): Sitton’s Cave Adventures, Cloudland Canyon.
• Sun., Oct. 25–Fri., Oct. 30, 9–10 a.m. OUR time (10–11 Eastern): Bat Week at Cloudland Canyon.
• Sat. night, Oct. 31: Set the clocks back one hour. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Central — our time): Pumpkin Destruction Saturday, Tullahoma. Bring your old pumpkin.
• Tue., Nov. 10: Sign-up deadline for the Twining with Fabric workshop.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. OUR time (11–4 Eastern): Rabbit Valley Holiday Market, Ringgold, Ga.
• Fri.–Sun., Nov. 20–22 (Central — our time): Twining with Fabric Workshop, DeSoto State Park.
• Sat., Dec. 12, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Central — our time): Mentone Art Crawl & Holiday Open House.

✅ Trip-planning checklist

• ✅ Write the time zone on the fridge note: Cloudland Canyon and Ringgold are Eastern — subtract an hour. Tullahoma, DeSoto State Park and Mentone are Central — our time.
• ✅ Two events need you to sign up ahead: Sitton’s Cave (call the park) and the Twining workshop (by Nov. 10).
• ✅ Call ahead on details that weren’t posted: which Bat Week days are crafts, whether Pumpkin Destruction needs paid admission, Ringgold market admission, the weekend workshop times and Mentone’s list of stops.
• ✅ Georgia state parks charge a parking fee. Have a card or cash ready at Cloudland Canyon.
• ✅ Caving? Pack a full change of clothes, shoes and a trash bag for the muddy ones.
• ✅ Check the event page the morning you go in case plans change.
• ✅ Fill up and grab a biscuit before you leave the Valley. Find local stops on Dunlap.Directory.

Remember: check the clock, check the weather, and pick the outing that fits your crew. A good day trip gets you home tired and happy, not worn out.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are these events already on earlier Hundred-Mile Happenings lists?

No. We keep a covered-events list and skip anything we’ve already featured. All of these outings are new for article #65. We’ve covered other events at some of the same places, like the Bear Creek Backcountry Hike at Cloudland Canyon and the Creative Spirit Market at DeSoto State Park, but these are separate events.

Which ones are free?

No admission is posted for the Mentone Art Crawl. Admission isn’t posted for the Ringgold Holiday Market or for Pumpkin Destruction Saturday, so check before you go. Sitton’s Cave is $45 a person, Bat Week craft days are listed at $5, and the Twining workshop is $150. Cloudland Canyon also charges for parking.

Which ones are best for young kids?

Pumpkin Destruction Saturday and Bat Week are the best picks for little ones. Sitton’s Cave is for ages 10 and up and takes some grit.

Which ones are easiest if I don’t walk far?

Bat Week is a short indoor program. The Ringgold market is indoors at a church. Pumpkin Destruction is a watch-and-cheer event. Sitton’s Cave is the hardest by far: you’ll crawl, scramble and possibly wade.

Eastern or Central: which clock do I set?

Dunlap and Sequatchie County are on Central. So are Tullahoma and the Alabama spots, DeSoto State Park and Mentone. Cloudland Canyon and Ringgold, Ga., are on Eastern time, one hour ahead.

How do you pick these events?

We look for one-of-a-kind, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap, and we check each one against the organizer’s own page whenever we can. When a detail isn’t posted, we say so. We keep a list so we never repeat an event. If you know a hidden gem, tell us at Dunlap.Today.

🔗 Other Resources

• Georgia State Parks — Sitton’s Cave Adventures dates
• Georgia State Parks — Caving at Cloudland Canyon: rules and what to bring
• Explore Georgia — Bat Week at Cloudland Canyon
• Lookout Mountain Parkway — Events calendar
• 93.9 The Duck — Pumpkin Destruction Saturday
• Hands-On Science Center — Visit and admission
• Nothin’ Like Ringgold — Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Holiday Market
• Little River Arts Council — Classes, including Twining with Fabric
• Little River Arts Council — 2026 events, including the Mentone Art Crawl
• National Weather Service Morristown: Valley forecast
• Dunlap.Directory: Local businesses for gas, food and supplies

🌅 Slow Down and Go See Something

You don’t need a big trip to make a good memory. A crawl through a dark, quiet cave, a morning learning about bats, a pumpkin flying through the air, a church-hall holiday market, a weekend at a loom and a mountain town full of art are all within a drive of the Valley. Grab a buddy, check the clock and the weather, and go.

Keep exploring, keep it easy and keep reading. Read Dunlap.Today for more Hundred-Mile Happenings, and find the Valley businesses that’ll fuel your trip on Dunlap.Directory.