The Cave Guide
Ruby Falls, the underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain, TennesseePhoto: Yinan Chen, Public Domain

Ruby Falls

Chattanooga, TN
60°F
inside, all year
260 ft
below the surface
60–80 min
on the main tour
$29.95
adult ticket

An underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain, reached by a 260-foot elevator ride and a guided walk on a paved cave trail.

The story

Ruby Falls was accidentally discovered by Leo Lambert in 1928 while excavating an elevator shaft to reach Lookout Mountain Cave. He named the waterfall after his wife, Ruby. The park opened to the public in 1929, and Ruby Falls Cave welcomed its first visitors in June 1930. During the 1960s, the cave served as a designated Civil Defense fallout shelter. In 1985, the cave, waterfall, and castle were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Found
1928
Open to visitors since
1929

History source: rubyfalls.com.

Tickets and timing

Adults
$29.95 (Cave Walk)
Kids
$19.95 (ages 4–12), free for 3 and under
How long it takes
60–80 minutes (up to 90 on busy days)
Booking
Timed-entry tickets online, buying ahead recommended.

Getting around underground

The walk
Elevator down 260 ft, then about 1 mile round trip on a paved path with ~50 steps in small groups of 4–5. Handrails throughout; narrow passages.
Wheelchairs
The cave is not wheelchair accessible. Surface areas (overlook, plaza, café, shop) are.
Strollers
Not allowed in the cave. Stroller parking at the elevator; infant carriers recommended.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Not allowed in the cave. Free first-come seasonal outdoor kennels. Trained service dogs allowed.
When it rains
Open in rain; the waterfall is fullest after heavy rain. Prolonged flooding can pause tours.
Temperature
60°F / 16°C year-round

Good to know

Minimum age
No minimum age for Cave Walk; children age three and younger free.
Best time to go
Less busy before 9 AM and after 6:00 PM; weekdays are great; rainy days increase waterfall flow.
Elevator
Yes, glass-front elevator descends 260 feet.
Food and drink
Castle Cafe offers a seasonal menu, snacks, coffee, and local craft beer. No group meals or brown bag lunches.
On site
gift shop, cafe, zipline, climbing tower, treehouse lodging, event venue, scenic overlooks, kennels

Special tours and events

Lantern Ghost Walk (Sep–Oct), Dread Hollow haunted house (Oct), Holidays at Ruby Falls (late Nov–Dec 24).

Getting there

NashvilleKnoxvilleMemphisHuntsville

1720 S. Scenic Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37409

Parking: Parking available; free bus/motorcoach parking; RV/trailer parking available but limited.

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • Wear sturdy, closed shoes: the path is wet and uneven in places.
  • Plan 2–3 hours for the whole site.
  • Parking is free.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Ruby Falls take?

60–80 minutes (up to 90 on busy days)

How cold is it inside Ruby Falls?

60°F / 16°C year-round.

Can you visit Ruby Falls in a wheelchair?

The cave is not wheelchair accessible. Surface areas (overlook, plaza, café, shop) are.

Are dogs allowed at Ruby Falls?

Not allowed in the cave. Free first-come seasonal outdoor kennels. Trained service dogs allowed.

Do you need to book Ruby Falls in advance?

Timed-entry tickets online, buying ahead recommended.

When was Ruby Falls discovered?

1928, according to the cave's own history.

Is there a minimum age for Ruby Falls?

No minimum age for Cave Walk; children age three and younger free.

Where is Ruby Falls?

1720 S. Scenic Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37409

Listed in: dog-friendly caves, caves with an elevator, caves with camping or lodging

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

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