The Cave Guide
Inside the Lost Sea cavern, TennesseePhoto: Brenda, CC BY 2.0

Lost Sea

Sweetwater, TN
1 hr
on the main tour
$29.95
adult ticket

A guided tour of Craighead Caverns that ends with a boat ride on what the operators call America's largest underground lake.

The story

The caverns have been known and used since the days of the Cherokee Indians, who left artifacts in a room now called 'The Council Room.' Around 1820, the first white settlers discovered the cave and used it for storing potatoes and other vegetables. During the Civil War the Confederate Army mined the cave for saltpeter for gunpowder. The underground lake was discovered in 1905 by a 13-year-old boy named Ben Sands. In 1915 the idea of developing the cave for the public was conceived, and a dance floor was installed in one of the large upper rooms.

Found
1905

History source: thelostsea.com.

What you'll see

  • The Council Room
  • Anthodites (cave flowers)
  • The Lost Sea lake

Tickets and timing

Adults
$29.95
Kids
$18.95 (ages 4–12)
How long it takes
About 1 hour 15 minutes
Hours
Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Booking
Buying tickets ahead is advised to lock in your time and avoid a wait.

Getting around underground

The walk
Three-quarters of a mile round trip.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are not recommended.
Strollers
Strollers are allowed but wagons are prohibited.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Pets are not allowed in the cave.
When it rains
Drought has lowered the lake level.
Temperature
58 degrees F

Good to know

Best time to go
Tickets sell out fast, especially on weekends and holidays; buying online in advance is recommended.
Photos
Photos are allowed in the cave.
Wildlife
Rainbow trout are stocked in the lake; fishing is not permitted.
On site
gift shop, ticket center, Lost Sea Village

Getting there

NashvilleChattanoogaKnoxvilleMemphisAsheville

140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater, TN 37874

Parking: Ample parking is available for motorcoaches and busses.

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Lost Sea take?

About 1 hour 15 minutes

How cold is it inside Lost Sea?

58 degrees F.

Can you visit Lost Sea in a wheelchair?

Wheelchairs are not recommended.

Are dogs allowed at Lost Sea?

Pets are not allowed in the cave.

Do you need to book Lost Sea in advance?

Buying tickets ahead is advised to lock in your time and avoid a wait.

When was Lost Sea discovered?

1905, according to the cave's own history.

Where is Lost Sea?

140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater, TN 37874

Listed in: cave boat tours

Checked on 2026-10-22 against thelostsea.com (official site). 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