Ruby Falls
Chattanooga, TN, 60°F inside, from $29.95
A Knoxville cave that opens to the public only for special events such as movies, trick-or-treat and Christmas in the cave.
The story
The caverns began forming approximately 500 million years ago during the upper Cambrian period. The caverns were first entered by early American Indians, as indicated by cane torch marks on the walls, and were rediscovered about 1854 by farmer Robert Crudgington. In 1929 the first commercial tours were given under the name Gentry's Cave, renamed Grand Caverns within a year. In 1947 the cave was renamed Atomic Caverns, and in the 1960s a restaurant was built over the cavern entrance and it reopened as Caverns Of The Ridge. In October 1980 the restaurant, gift shop and adjoining stone cottage were destroyed by a fire, and in October 1989 the first Haunted Cave began under the protection of volunteers.
- Found
- About 1854
- Open to visitors since
- 1929
History source: historiccherokeecaverns.com.
What you'll see
- Crystal Ballroom
- Capital Dome
- Peace Pipe
- Slab of bacon
- Alligator formation
- Mud volcanoes
- Chert pod
- Bear skull
Tickets and timing
- Adults
- $15.00 per person for ages 3 & up
- Kids
- $15.00 per person for ages 3 & up
- Hours
- The cave is only open to the public for special events; it is not open for daily tours.
- Booking
- Tickets can be bought online; for Christmas in the Cave the ticket is good for any event date and all ticket sales are final with no refunds.
Getting around underground
- The walk
- A 1/4 mile loop with a steady decline down into the cave and a steady incline back out; wheelchair, mobility scooter and stroller friendly.
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair, scooter and stroller friendly.
- Strollers
- Stroller friendly.
Good to know
- Photos
- Photos with Santa and The Mean One are optional and not included with cave admission; photos with Cousin Ed are free.
- Food and drink
- No outside food or drink is allowed inside the cave; food is available at The Grotto with concessions by Delectable Delights.
- Wildlife
- Bats can be found in the far reaches of the cave and in the holes in the ceiling.
- On site
- vendors with locally made products and gifts, food at The Grotto with concessions by Delectable Delights
Special tours and events
Movies in the Cave, Trick or Treat in the Cave and Christmas in the Cave.
Getting there
8524 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville, TN 37931
- Knoxvillein town
- Ashevilleabout 81 miles
- Chattanoogaabout 100 miles
Distances are straight-line from each city center.
Questions people ask
Can you visit Historic Cherokee Caverns in a wheelchair?
Wheelchair, scooter and stroller friendly.
Do you need to book Historic Cherokee Caverns in advance?
Tickets can be bought online; for Christmas in the Cave the ticket is good for any event date and all ticket sales are final with no refunds.
When was Historic Cherokee Caverns discovered?
About 1854, according to the cave's own history.
Where is Historic Cherokee Caverns?
8524 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville, TN 37931
Checked on 2026-10-22 against historiccherokeecaverns.com (official site). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.