The Rattlesnake Saloon – Alabama’s Hidden Date Night Gem

Restaurants in caves are usually in far-flung exotic places you see across Instagram. You’ve probably heard of the Grotto Palazzese in Italy or the Rayavadee Dining Grotto in Thailand? But if you’re in the southern US – you might want to take a road trip to the small town of Tuscumbia, Alabama. Home to The Rattlesnake Saloon and Seven Springs Silos and Campground, and the only one of its kind in the US. The Rattlesnake Saloon is literally a hole-in-the-wall restaurant!!

Follow our guide for how to get there, how to plan ahead and enjoy yourself on this perfect weekend getaway!

How To Get To the Rattlesnake Saloon

Let’s just be real – you’re going to think you’re lost. You’ll lose cellphone service, and there will be nothing around. But trust us when we say, you will get there.

From Huntsville, Alabama, it’s about an hour and a half drive, and from I-65, it’s a little over an hour. (I-65 is the major highway running North/South on the Eastern side of the US. Any major road-trip out East will coincide with I-65.)

• From I-65, take Exit 351 for US Highway 72 heading West.
• You’ll keep heading west for about 50 miles and then take a left on AL-247 S.
• Once you take a left on AL-247 S, continue for 7 miles, and then take a right on Bald Knob Road.
• Then after about 1 mile, take a right on Mount Mills Road.
• After about 1 mile, The Rattlesnake Saloon and Seen Springs Campground will be on the right!

The first thing you’ll see when you pull into the parking lot will be the Saloon Taxi Pickup station!

Parking at The Rattlesnake Saloon

There’s a ton of parking because the area is not just for the saloon – it’s also for the campground, staying in the silos overnight, and the equestrian park.

Make sure to be paying close attention when you pull in. Be careful of horse crossings!! You’ll be sharing the parking lot with these beauties as well as kids running around and large groups of motorcyclists.

We also noticed that there was plenty of room for RV’s. With the massive surge in US-based road trips over the past few years – RV’s and people looking to travel domestically are on the rise. You’ll need to call ahead!! The Seven Springs campground is more than just your average campground!

If you’re considering making a motorcycle trip through the area (our dream is to do a motorcycle trip up through the East coast so we get it!) – you’ll be in good company! Motorcyclist groups stop here frequently as a great pitstop off of I-65.

(Watch out for a blog post soon for the best places to stop off of I-65!)

Parking your bike / large groups of bikes would be no trouble because the parking lot really is huge!!

What To Know Before You Go

Whether you’re adventuring for a date night or just a road trip pit stop – there are a few things you should know before you go!

• You’ll lose service on the way there. It’s fine! Try just to enjoy not having a phone. Weird we know.
• Be prepared to sit and wait! They only allow in so many people at a time (and you have to be driven down on a truck!) See below for some ideas on what to do while you wait.
• Make sure to bring your ID. They check everyone and stamp hands if you want to order an adult beverage.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID BEING MISERABLE IN LINE: Pack a cooler and have one person wait in line in turns! We saw some other families doing this and it worked out great!

Where To Stay Near The Rattlesnake Saloon

If you’re looking to make this a date weekend – we highly recommend staying in one of the Florence/Muscle Shoals boutique hotels that are nearby. Florence, Alabama is north of the Tennessee River about 30 minutes from the Rattlesnake Saloon, and Muscle Shoals, Alabama is south of the Tennessee River and also about 30 minutes from the saloon. Tuscumbia is really a small hamlet of Muscle Shoals, Alabama – which is just a sister city to Florence, Alabama. (They’re about 20 minutes apart and divided by the river – it’s easy to travel back and forth in these little towns!)

The Stricklin Hotel and the Gunrunner Boutique Hotel are two chic southern staples that would make for a perfect weekend getaway! The Marriot Muscle Shoals Hotel & Spa in Florence would also be nice if those two are booked. (We recommend calling ahead because they do book up pretty fast!)

**Zoom out on the map to see how close Tuscumbia, Florence, and Muscle Shoals really are! No matter where you decide to stay – they’re all about 30 minutes from the Rattlesnake Saloon.

Seven Springs Lodge & Campground

The owner’s goal behind Seven Springs is to create a relaxing lodge and horseback riding venue. While a lot of people come from out of town to head to the Rattlesnake Saloon – many more come to roam the 20,000 acres of land available for equestrian and hiking use.

FUN FACT: One of the trails at the Seven Springs Campground takes you to a Native Indian shelter where 8000-year-old remains were uncovered in Alabama!!

**With 100 hookups for trailers/RVs and 153 stalls for horses – you’ll need to make sure that you call ahead!

If you’re not looking to stop with a motorhome, or a trailer full of horses – you can stay in the silos! Fully converted grain silos are now available as bunkhouses for those without an RV and not looking to camp. The Silos are complete with 4 bathhouses and a pool!

Call Ahead and Reserve: 256.370.7218 ‘ask for Ms. Tee Tee‘ – Strait from the Seven Springs Campground website!!

What To Expect At The Rattlesnake Saloon

If you have your heart on seeing the restaurant in the cave but aren’t staying overnight – you’re best bet is to go earlier in the day before there’s a big line. We’re talking around 4 pm! This isn’t a reservation kinda place. It’s a wait in line till it’s your turn kinda place. Waiting stinks – but it’s more than worth it!!

While you’re waiting in line – pay attention to the kids in cowboys hats running around, deep southern accents, and the feel of southern hospitality just flowing through the area. You’ll hop on the bus, stop to get a stamp and drive down a steep cliff while the music bounds out of the cave and up the hill.

After you take the pickup truck bed ride down – you’ll be greeted with one of the warmest and inviting ambiance you’ve ever seen in a cave! The cover band echoes throughout the cave with Alabama’s Dixieland Delight bouncing off of the caves’ walls.

Make sure that if you’re gonna be drinking you bring your ID. We said that earlier but really make sure you don’t forget if you’re looking to grab a couple of brews!!!

If you’re looking to have a couple of beers during your time at the Rattlesnake Saloon, keep in mind that alcohol isn’t served until 5 pm. {But even if you go during the day – you’ll still have a great time!}

Couples start to dance, families sit and enjoy – it’s really a perfect night. Especially a warm summer night when you just need to escape the heat? The waterfall is nice to stand by while you bask in the cool spray. We highly recommend going after a rainstorm so that you can see the waterfall in full flow!

What To Wear

No one is dressed fancy- people are there from young to old truly just enjoying themselves. Nothing pretentious. Just good country people having a good time. We highly recommend you wear comfortable clothing that you’re not afraid to get wet.

Wear comfortable shoes!! You’re literally getting on a truck bed, being driven down a bumpy dirt road, and then walking into a semi-wet, stone-floored area. Not the time to be wearing you’re favorite heels!

We also recommend wearing a light jacket (regardless of whether or not it was April 25th..‘not too hot, not too cold’… if you know you know.) Caves are notoriously wet and slightly chilly. Did you know that most caves remain the same temperature year-round? Although the Rattlesnake Saloon isn’t in a full-on cave – you’ll still need to pack layers. The chill off of the cave walls is enough to make you wish you’d brought a sweater!

I Shelbs wore a pair of joggers, sneaks, and a long sleeve thermal tee – even in the Alabama October heat – I was still a bit chilly. Duck boots would be a perfect addition to your Southern marshy adventuring! They even look good with shorts.

The ‘Gigantor’ Burger Challenge

If you’re going down to the saloon – chances are you either camped and brought your own food or your eating at the saloon. There arent many restaurants around the area so you’ll want to dig in on some of their Southern fixins’. Fried pickles, fried jalapeno poppers, burgers, locally sourced chicken fingers, and even a few healthier options like the Saloon Salad. What you could also do is grab the Gigantor Burger for you and your group – or enter the competition!!

This challenge has become so famous throughout Alabama – it’s even made it to a few food network shows! The 2-pound burger is topped with cheese, bacon, sauces, and veggies. Along with 1 pound of fries and 1 pound of onion rings – you have 45 minutes to finish eating the whole thing!

You can watch videos of people eating it here!

Here’s what you get if you win:

• Your meal is free
• A free Rattlesnake Saloon T-Shirt
• You name on the Wall of Fame!

Please tag us in your posts if you do it. Morbidly curious to know who’s accomplish it!

Relax & Enjoy

As we left we rode in the wagon up to the parking lot and met a sweet biker couple also headed home for the night – this is the conversation that followed:

Biker: HEY! Ya’ll know anything about the Bama game?

Josh (Shelb’s Brother In Law) – yeah they’re up 35 to 3!

Biker: hell yeah ROLL TIDE!! Hehehe!

The conversation outside of the Rattlesnake saloon

I kid you not it was the best conversation I’ve ever heard outside of a bar. Kind of the universal language of Alabama is asking about sports, and it’s really just a good time had by all.

Since we’re talking about a Southern trip, I’d like to impart one of my dad’s favorite sayings about the evening. If Shelb’s parents had gone with us – they would’ve called the evening ‘Fine as frog hair.’ In case you don’t know – that means it was a perfect time and we hope you enjoy it!!

Pin the photo below on your favorite bucket list board for later!

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Until next time friends,

Thanks for sharing!