7 Tennessee Caves to Explore
With more than 8,000 documented caves, Tennessee offers plenty of spelunking opportunities for both novice and experienced cave explorers. In fact, Tennessee is home to more caves than any other state, according to the National Caves Association.
Most of Tennessee’s caves line up along the west side of the Appalachian mountain chain in East Tennessee, though caves can also be found sprinkled around Middle Tennessee. While many are located on private property and can be explored only with permission from the owner, several others are open to the public for tours.
Tuckaleechee Caverns – Photo via Flickr user gaspass22
Tuckaleechee Caverns
Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend also served as a hiding place for Indians more than a century ago, but it wasn’t until 1953 that the limestone cave’s beauty was revealed to the public.
Farm boys Bill Vananda and Harry Myers played in the cave as children, and when they became adults, they decided to share their hidden treasure with the rest of the world. Today, Tuckaleechee Caverns is run by Vananda’s sons, Phillip and Steven, and their families.
“Tuckaleechee Caverns is the top rated cave by AAA in Tennessee,” Steven Vananda says. “It’s a huge cave with large waterfalls, a stream and lots of large formations.”
The cave features a “Big Room” with a 150-foot ceiling that Vananda says is large enough to fit a football field in. But the cave’s crowning glory is its 200-foot-high waterfall.
Located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tuckaleechee Caverns attracts 60,000 visitors each year. Open from March through November, Tuckaleechee Caverns offers a one-mile round-trip tour that lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. For more information, visit tuckaleecheecaverns.com or call 865-448-2274.
There is a cave with a town named after it somewhere near Boone lake. I think it was Woyer or something like that but now I can’t find it. Any ideas?
Hi James,
I believe you’re thinking of Worley’s Cave, aka Morrill Cave, in the Bluff City area. Hope this helps!
Jessy Yancey
editor
Tennessee Home & Farm
Hi- just a bit of reminiscing, and wondering: I used to go camping with friends a short distance off of I 40 in eastern Tennessee (over 35 years ago). It was on private property, and the cave was over half way up a 3000 foot hill/mountain. The cave opened to the eastern side of the slope and had a moderate entrance with an easy walk down to a larger chamber with about five different exits going deeper into the mountain. There was a pool with running water that we used for our water supply. Another 1000 feet up the mountain was a rather steep climb ending on a flat mountain top that was great for camping except for the numerous burned out trees that clearly were from repeated lightning strikes. great views of the area, but despite having been there a couple of times (friends knew the place) I can’t remember at all where it was. Ring any bells?
Hampton, TN?
I went to a restraurant inside a cave with water around it with paddle boats sometime in late 1960’s near Dickson TN or maybe Loudon, Tn. Any idea where or name of it.
I think you are talking about The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, TN.
I think you mean “Underground City” it was a club and Restaurant in an old Lime mine. My uncle used to play there when he was young.
I went to a restraurant inside a cave with water with paddle boats winding around inside . Late 1960’s near Dickson. TN or maybe Loudon, TN anyone else remember? Name and location?
I remember that too! It was like nothing I had ever seen before.
This was called underground city and had a full bar back in its day. It was demolished in 2010 after a minor fell from the top or was pushed to his death.
I think you are talking about The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, TN
hi
just received Farm & Home magazine, Tennesee Summer, love the article on the Warren county’s Cumberland Caverns I have been there to visit and it was beautiful. There is one correction on the chandelier it comes from Brooklyn Metropolitan Movie House which I spend many a Saturday night dates seeing a movie. When it closed I never knew where the chandelier went until I visited the caves with a friend from Brooklyn and there it was. I want to thank Tennessee folk for putting it into a wonderful setting and to tell you that you have good taste.
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Wow, just the mere sight of that photo of the Forbidden Caverns makes me want to plan out a trip to Tennessee this coming summer after not being able to use my vacation leaves at work. I especially like the fact that the tour covers a lot of ground within the mountain as it will be quite the adventure for my nephew and niece. I hope we can visit soon and even visit other destinations like Sevierville.
https://visitsevierville.com/YourStoriesStartHere.aspx