An Unexpected Ancient Ocean Is Hiding Underground In Tennessee
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Meghan Kraft
Author
An ancient ocean seems like a tall order to fill, especially if you make your home in landlocked Tennessee. A beautiful state with a whole lot of charm, you have to know that we have a few tricks up our sleeves as well. In Sweetwater, Tennessee, the ground opens up to a secret and a story that was discovered not too long ago — and you can experience it all for yourself. We have one question for you: do you trust a glass-bottomed boat?
The Lost Sea has the honor of being America's largest underground lake, and it wasn't actually discovered until 1905. Young Ben Sands, only thirteen, went exploring in the cavern system known as Craighead Caverns and stumbled upon an ancient span of water.
Nowadays, you don't have to go stumbling through who-knows-where to experience The Lost Sea. Roughly 150,000 tourists visit every year.
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You tour the cave by glass-bottomed boat, after making your way deep into the earth. It's usually under 60 degrees by the still waters, and may even get humid during the summer.
As you make your way towards this Tennessee marvel, you'll be met with some of the prettiest and strangest views in the state. The largest cavern could fit the whole of a two-story house, so there's no need to feel claustrophobic.
Once upon a time, the Lost Sea was used as a dance floor, and moonshiners used the cool caverns as natural refrigeration during the period of prohibition. You can also spot anthodites, known as cave flowers, throughout the cave system. They are only found in a handful of places around the world.
You'll want to inquire about tour rates since they vary depending on the number of people in your party. Make sure that everyone can walk 140 feet into the cave, and enjoy the hour and fifteen minutes you have on the waters. Visit for yourself at 140 Lost Sea Road, found in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
Don’t be a statistic — most Tennesseans miss these amazing local destinations, and you can’t take that chance.
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