The 7 Most Amazing Cave Adventures You Can Have In Tennessee
By Meghan Kraft|Published June 16, 2018
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Ol’ Rocky Top has made quite a name for itself, hasn’t it? From our rolling green hills to the craggy rock that lines the state’s inner belly, we’re one of the prettiest places to visit in the nation – above or below ground. We found seven amazing cave adventures you can have in Tennessee, from one side of the state to the next, whether you’re looking for a scientific study below ground or a spooky horror story to stow away for a rainy day.
The underground rock formations and river in the Forbidden Caverns of Sevierville, Tennessee are downright amazing. Tours of the space start every hour and run around 45 minutes, making it perfect for both athletic spelunkers and casual walkers. We'd highly recommend bringing the whole family, because this kid-friendly hike teaches all about the underside of our great state in the neatest environment.
The caverns are considered to be almost 30 million years old, and was once home to the Cherokee nation that inhabited the Tennessee region. It provided a reprieve for women doing household chores in the heart of a humid summer. It has been open to the public since 1931, and you can visit Tuckaleechee Caverns every single day of the year (yep, 365 days!).
If you've ever Googled "Tennessee," then you've probably seen Ruby Falls pop up once or twice. As one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state, the Lookout Mountain cave was discovered in 1928 and boasts a gorgeous waterfall deep beneath the surface. Folks have been enjoying Ruby Falls since 1930, and there are all sorts of dining spots and local attractions in the vicinity for the whole family.
We love beautiful Bristol Caverns, located in Bristol, Tennessee. The Sullivan County beauty offers tours of Tennessee's ancient underground caverns, boasting mineral formations and a stunning underground river that snakes its way beneath the state.
Known as the largest underground lake in the United States, The Lost Sea offers up glass bottomed boat tours and stunning views beneath the state. This east Tennessee gem takes up more than 30 acres of watery space, and you can even enjoy some great BBQ at the Cavern Kitchen on site.
Oooh, the Bell Witch Cave. It gives us goosebumps just to think about it! Known as one of the most haunted places in the state, you can come walk through the cave and relive the horror story of so many years ago - one including a killer poltergeist and inexplicable deaths - while in the safe hands of an experienced local guide.
Cumberland Caverns is home to one of the largest caves in the United States, and hosts the popular television show Bluegrass Underground. There are over 32 miles of caves and passageways that meander below ground, culminating in gorgeous rock formations and stunning waterfalls that fall into dark pools. You can visit for a daily walking tour, more intense adventure tours or even overnight adventures!
If you’re still looking to explore the beauty of our great state, then you may just want to check out Tennessee’s own little Niagara Falls. It’s truly too beautiful for words!
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