The Cave Guide
Inside Forbidden Caverns, TennesseePhoto: Bigmacthealmanac, CC BY-SA 4.0

Forbidden Caverns

Sevierville, TN
58°F
inside, all year
50
steps on the tour
55 min
on the main tour
$25
adult ticket

A seasonal cave near Sevierville with 55-minute guided tours past grottos, natural chimneys and an underground stream, at 58°F.

The story

Eastern Woodland Indians used the cave as winter shelter and drew water from its stream. From the early 1920s until 1943 it was used to make moonshine, thanks to its isolation and steady water supply. In 1964 a group of local business people began developing it, and after three years of excavation Forbidden Caverns opened in June 1967.

Open to visitors since
1967

History source: forbiddencavern.com.

What you'll see

  • Sparkling formations
  • Towering natural chimneys
  • Numerous grottos
  • Crystal clear stream

Tickets and timing

Adults
$25 (13+)
Kids
$15 (ages 5–12), free for 4 and under
How long it takes
About 55 minutes
Hours
April 1–November 25, 10am–4pm (last tour 4pm). Closed Thursdays and Sundays, and from Thanksgiving through March.
Booking
No advance or online tickets; tours leave frequently. No buses or organized groups.

Getting around underground

The walk
Lit trails with handrails; one narrow section with 50 stairs going down.
Wheelchairs
The tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Temperature
58°F year-round

Good to know

Photos
Pictures are allowed only when the tour has come to a complete stop. Video, monopods, and tripods are not allowed.
On site
gift shop, restrooms, outdoor picnic area

Getting there

NashvilleChattanoogaKnoxvilleMemphisAsheville

455 Blowing Cave Rd., Sevierville, TN 37876

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • Not recommended for people with mobility or breathing problems.
  • Check the closed days before you drive out.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Forbidden Caverns take?

About 55 minutes

How cold is it inside Forbidden Caverns?

58°F year-round.

Can you visit Forbidden Caverns in a wheelchair?

The tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues.

Do you need to book Forbidden Caverns in advance?

No advance or online tickets; tours leave frequently. No buses or organized groups.

Where is Forbidden Caverns?

455 Blowing Cave Rd., Sevierville, TN 37876

Checked on 2026-10-22 against forbiddencavern.com (home and tour pages). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.

Other caves in Tennessee

Ruby Falls

Chattanooga, TN, 60°F inside, from $29.95

See all 12 caves in Tennessee