The Stunning Top-Secret Cave in Georgia Nobody’s Ever Heard of

The Fantastic Pit! If that name doesn’t just grab you immediately, I don’t know what else will. If you are a cave spelunker, then this is no doubt a Georgia cave you will want on your list. This hole in the ground leads to Ellison’s Cave but to get there is an intense stomach-dropping vertical descent that is not for the faint of heart, or the inexperienced. Although this possibly has the best name I have ever heard, the pit itself is no joke and should only be attempted by those with plenty of experience. Piqued your interest? Let’s delve deeper into the dark to see what this cave is all about.

At first glance, it may seem like an unsuspecting hole in the ground, but in reality, it is the mouth of the earth opening up into the wild darkness of the underground pit. This remote area is both beautiful and eerie. The Fantastic Pit is found within the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wild Management Area in northern Georgia. You can hike out to this spot to see it yourself, but if you plan on going into the cave, then there are a few things you should know.

This is the tallest unobstructed vertical descent in the US, with a 586-foot drop straight down. This will require some expert-level caving so it is not recommended to anyone who casually wants to enter the cave. For those who are not ready for the plunge into the deepest hole in America, you can gear up for it with a few more pits into Ellison’s Cave. The Warm Up Pit is still an impressive 125 feet drop, and then moving up from there is the Smoky II, which is 262 feet. Next up will be the Incredible Pit (also a great name) at 440 feet, and then the Smoky I at a dizzying 500 feet.

The trail leading up to the cave may be a bit of a challenge for some with a steep uphill climb and an elevation gain of over 800 feet. You will also get to enjoy a small pond called Blue Hole while you are there.

The real star of the show, however, is Ellison’s Cave. You can explore the opening, but be warned, if you plan on propelling down, it will require serious equipment for professional cavers.

The Fantastic Pit is one of those places that seems almost unreal. When looking at the cave entrance, it is almost unfathomable that the dark hole drops down as far as it goes, but it is true. This area is very remote so I would suggest downloading the map for the Blue Hole Trail to Ellison’s Cave from AllTrails before you go. Stay safe and enjoy this hidden treasure in the Northern Georgia mountains.