🌤 Weather at Pettyjohn’s Cave at Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42–80 °F | 66–89 °F | 41–84 °F | 33–55 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Chickamauga 2 SW, 13 mi away, elevation 799 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🦇 Access rules checked against the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, October 2026
Pettyjohn’s Cave (often written Pettyjohn Cave) is a cave on Pigeon Mountain in Walker County, inside the state-owned Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) manages the land. It is not a state park, and the Georgia State Parks ParkPass does not get you in. What you need instead is a hunting or fishing license or a Lands Pass, plus your name on the sign-in sheet at the cave kiosk.
The WRD lists caving among the activities on the WMA, with one rule attached: you sign in at the cave kiosk before you go underground and sign out when you come back. This page collects the rules the WRD publishes for the cave and the WMA around it, as of October 2026.
Pettyjohn’s Cave at a glance
| Topic | What applies |
|---|---|
| Managed by | Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, Region 1 office, 706-295-6041 |
| Land | Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA, state-owned, Walker County. The WRD property page lists 20,657 acres; the WRD map revised July 10, 2025 gives 21,860 acres. |
| Who needs a pass | Everyone 16 and older: a valid Georgia license that allows hunting or fishing, or a Lands Pass |
| Cave sign-in | Required at the cave kiosk, before and after caving |
| Closures | All caving, hiking, rock climbing, horse and bike trails close during firearm deer seasons |
| Address | 365 Rocky Lane Road, LaFayette, GA 30728. This is the WMA check station, not the cave entrance. |
| Emergencies | 911. DNR Law Enforcement Ranger Hotline: 1-800-241-4113 |
Before you go: pass, sign-in and closures
Pass. The WRD map for the WMA states that any person 16 or older entering the area must carry a valid Georgia license that allows hunting or fishing, or a Lands Pass. You can buy either at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com or by phone at 1-800-366-6041. The WRD explains the options on its license and pass page.
Sign-in. Cavers must sign in at the kiosk of the cave they visit, before and after caving. The WRD names a separate application and permit only for Ulla Cave, another cave on the WMA. For Pettyjohn’s Cave, the kiosk sign-in is the rule it publishes.
Closures. During firearm deer seasons, the WRD closes all horse, bike, caving, hiking, rock climbing, parasailing and hang-gliding trails on the WMA. If you plan a fall or winter trip, check the deer season dates in the current Georgia hunting regulations first. ATVs are not allowed anywhere on the property.
Finding the cave. The WRD property map (revised July 10, 2025) shows trails, campgrounds and kiosks, but it does not mark Pettyjohn’s Cave. The street address above leads to the check station on Rocky Lane Road. Download the WRD map (PDF) before your trip.
Gear for a wild cave
Bring caving gear, not a phone flashlight.
| Item | What to bring | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Helmet | Climbing or caving helmet with chin strap | Low ceilings and loose rock |
| Lights | Three independent sources: headlamp, backup headlamp, small handheld | If your only light fails, you cannot move safely |
| Clothing | Synthetic or wool layers, no cotton; coveralls if you have them | Wet cotton stays cold and raises the risk of hypothermia |
| Footwear | Boots with deep tread | Mud and wet clay are slick |
| Protection | Knee pads and gloves | You will crawl on rock and mud |
| Pack | Water, food, first aid kit, a large trash bag as an emergency layer | Trips take longer than planned |
| Waste | Bags or a bottle to pack everything out | Leave nothing in the cave |
Safety in the cave
- Never go alone. Go in a group and leave your route and expected return time with someone who stays outside.
- Know who to call. In an emergency, call 911. The DNR Law Enforcement Ranger Hotline is 1-800-241-4113. If someone is hurt, one person stays with them and keeps them warm while others go for help.
- Leave bats alone. Bats hibernate in caves in winter. White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus that infects the skin of hibernating bats, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Clean your boots, clothes and gear before you enter another cave.
- Turn around early. The way out is uphill and you will be tired. Do not push into squeezes beyond your comfort level.
Why this page has no route description
Editorial note: An earlier version of this page described a route through the cave, with passage names, lengths and depths. We found no agency source for those details, and the WRD map does not mark the cave, so we could not check them. We removed them in October 2026. If you have never been caving, go with experienced cavers, for example a local grotto of the National Speleological Society.
More of Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA
The cave is one of several places the WRD lists as popular on the WMA: Rocktown, Lost Wall, the Pocket, Pettyjohn’s Cave, Sawmill Lake, Bluehole Springs and the Civil War Wayside. The WMA has five designated camping areas with primitive sites, plus hiking, biking and equestrian trails. On the WRD map, the Shirley Miller Trail lies at the Pocket, and Rocktown has its own trail. Hunters come for deer, turkey, squirrel, quail and rabbit, which is why the trail closures in firearm deer seasons matter.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pettyjohn’s Cave in a state park?
No. It lies in the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, which the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division manages. Georgia State Parks rules and the ParkPass do not apply there.
Do I need a permit for Pettyjohn’s Cave?
The WRD requires an application and permit only for Ulla Cave. For Pettyjohn’s Cave you need a Georgia hunting or fishing license or a Lands Pass if you are 16 or older, and you must sign in at the cave kiosk before and after your trip.
When is the cave closed?
During firearm deer seasons, when the WRD closes all caving trails on the WMA along with hiking, climbing, horse and bike trails.
Can I camp near the cave?
The WMA has five designated camping areas with primitive sites. The WRD map shows where they are.
What address should I put in my GPS?
The WRD gives 365 Rocky Lane Road, LaFayette, GA 30728. That is the WMA check station. The cave entrance is not marked on the WRD map.
Georgia state parks nearby
For an overnight stay, the WRD page for the WMA lists three state parks nearby: Cloudland Canyon State Park, James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park and Fort Mountain State Park. For more ideas, see our Best State Parks in Georgia guide or search by activity in the Park Finder.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Pettyjohn’s Cave at Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
