Tennessee’s Nickajack Lake Is Home To A Truly Unique Cave With Loads Of Tennessee History
Tennessee is rife with beautiful lakes, rivers, and streams, but there’s nowhere like Nickajack Lake when it comes to outdoor adventuring. Located 46-miles upstream from the Chickamauga Dam, the reservoir is known for its brilliant views of the Tennessee River Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Tennessee. It’s the partially-flooded cave, however, that has become legendary. Come for the boat ramps and fishing piers, stay for the legend of the Nickajack Lake cave.
We're headed to Nickajack Lake by way of some of the most beautiful roadways in the state. Tucked away in Marion County, the lake is one of the most overlooked natural spaces in the state.
It's naturally beautiful, but did you know that Nickajack Lake has a cultural history that has ties to Johnny Cash? You'll find all the legend at the partially-flooded Nickajack Cave.
Nickajack Cave was flooded during the construction of the dam in 1967, and can be entered by way of a canoe or kayak. Keep in mind, folks. A colony of Gray Bats live in the cave, so you'll want to be aware!
The cave was once mined for saltpeter in the 18th and 19th centuries with the permission of the local Cherokee tribe. The mining was later taken over by the Confederate government, but mining ceased when the area fell to Union troops. Since the cave was a highly strategic and necessary site for the south at the time, its loss was devastating.
The cave has been mined off and on for years, but it's Johnny Cash who gave it an aura of mystery. In 1967 the story goes that he visited the Nickajack Cave seeking suicide, but it was a spiritual experience in the cave that helped him make the decision to stop abusing drugs. Gary Allan even wrote a song about it on his 2005 album "Tough All Over."
Would you visit the Nickajack Cave cave? The entrance is very large, and safe for cautious visitors. Keep in mind that there are no tours offered.
The lake is beautiful, but the Nickajack Cave is mysterious. It's a must-visit if you're looking for a neat way to make memories here in the Volunteer State.
You can learn more about Nickajack Lake with a visit to the state’s official website.
Looking for more outdoor fun? Then take a peek at the famed Fall Creek Falls State Park!
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Address: Nickajack Lake, Tennessee, USA
