Ruby Falls
An underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain, reached by a 260-foot elevator ride and a guided walk on a paved cave trail.
Chattanooga, TN, 60°F inside, from $29.95
Caves in Tennessee
12 caves in Tennessee run public tours. Here is what each one is like and how to visit.
Updated 2026-10-22. 12 of 12 checked in full against official sources.
The Caverns
A large cave best known for its underground concert venue, also open for guided walking tours on weekends.
Pelham, TN, 59°F inside, from $22.95
Forbidden Caverns
A seasonal cave near Sevierville with 55-minute guided tours past grottos, natural chimneys and an underground stream, at 58°F.
Sevierville, TN, 58°F inside, from $25
Bell Witch Cave
The cave tied to the Bell Witch legend, about 40 minutes from Nashville, with 40-minute guided tours plus a John Bell cabin tour, open seasonally.
Adams, TN
Tuckaleechee Caverns
A cave in Townsend, Tennessee whose 1.25-mile round-trip tour takes in the Big Room and Silver Falls.
Townsend, TN, from $28
Cumberland Caverns
A cave in McMinnville open year-round with walking tours, crawling adventure tours and overnight stays, at 56°F.
McMinnville, TN, 56°F inside
Lost Sea
A guided tour of Craighead Caverns that ends with a boat ride on what the operators call America's largest underground lake.
Sweetwater, TN, from $29.95
Bristol Caverns
A Bristol cave open year-round whose Classic Show Tour goes 180 feet down several flights of stairs in 45–60 minutes.
Bristol, TN, from $19.95
Raccoon Mountain Caverns
A Chattanooga cave with a 45–55 minute guided walk through the first quarter mile, plus wild cave expeditions.
Chattanooga, TN, 58°F inside
Dunbar Cave
A Tennessee state park cave with summer tours by handheld flashlight past historic cave art; tours often sell out.
Tennessee, 56°F inside
Appalachian Caverns
A cave in Blountville, Tennessee with Explorer and Wild tours, plus a campground and gem mine.
Blountville, TN
Historic Cherokee Caverns
A Knoxville cave that opens to the public only for special events such as movies, trick-or-treat and Christmas in the cave.
Knoxville, TN, from $15.00
Tennessee caves side by side
| Cave | Inside | Adult ticket | Run by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby Falls | 60°F | $29.95 | Privately operated |
| The Caverns | 59°F | $22.95 | Privately operated |
| Forbidden Caverns | 58°F | $25 | Privately operated |
| Bell Witch Cave | not yet checked | not yet checked | Privately operated |
| Tuckaleechee Caverns | not yet checked | $28 | Privately operated |
| Cumberland Caverns | 56°F | not yet checked | Privately operated |
| Lost Sea | not yet checked | $29.95 | Privately operated |
| Bristol Caverns | not yet checked | $19.95 | Privately operated |
| Raccoon Mountain Caverns | 58°F | not yet checked | Privately operated |
| Dunbar Cave | 56°F | not yet checked | State park |
| Appalachian Caverns | not yet checked | not yet checked | Privately operated |
| Historic Cherokee Caverns | not yet checked | $15.00 | Privately operated |
Questions people ask
How many caves can you tour in Tennessee?
12 show caves run public tours. We leave out wild caves that are closed, gated or need a permit.
What should you wear in a cave?
Closed shoes with grip, because paths are often wet. Most caves stay between the high 40s and low 70s °F all year, so a light layer is enough.
Caves in other states
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