10 Incredible Caves in Tennessee (From Popular Spots to Hidden Treasures)

Tennessee has over 10,000 caves, more than in any other state in America. With 20% of the country’s total cave system located within its borders, you will find miles of explorable caverns accessible to the whole family. Visiting a Tennessee cave is like stepping back in history, to a time when animals, Native Americans, and war soldiers used them for shelter. Check out this list of the top 10 most incredible caves in Tennessee, from popular family-friendly spots to wild and hidden treasures. 

1. Cumberland Caverns

Located in McMinnville, the Cumberland Caverns is a national landmark and showcase. It’s nearly 28 miles long, which is one of the longest in the United States and the second-longest in Tennessee. This cavern descends over 300 feet below the surface, where you can explore with an expert guide and get all of your questions answered. The guided tours at Cumberland Caverns range from treks suitable for all ages up to more skilled adventures, where only 16 and up can join. You can crawl through muddy passages, traverse tall ladders, and squeeze through tiny crevices. Or you can take a casual walking tour and see the unique features of the cave and learn about its history. 

2. Bell Witch Cave

The Bell Witch Cave is privately owned and about a 40-minute drive from Nashville. This 490-foot-long cave is open for tour during the summer months and October. The Bell Witch Cave is the location of the famous American legend centered around the haunting of a 19th-century family. If you’re into spooky stuff, check out this cave during Halloween! 

3. Craighead Caverns/The Lost Sea

The Craighead Caverns is an impressive natural wonder. This extensive cave system sits between Madisonville and Sweetwater and holds the country’s largest non-subglacial underground lake known as The Lost Sea. If you want an unforgettable experience, The Lost Sea Adventure is a must-visit in Tennessee. During a walkable guided tour, you will learn about the cave’s history and geological development as you move through immense cavern rooms and witness unique formations. Once you get to the bottom of the cave, you can take a boat ride on the underground lake!

4. Dunbar Cave

The Dunbar Cave is an eight-mile cave system that lies in the Dunbar Cave State Park. Exploring this beautiful state park is an easy way to spend an afternoon. You can traverse karst topography which includes springs, limestone, sinkholes, and caverns. Dunbar Cave is in Clarksville, Tennessee, and guided tours are available.  

5. Appalachian Caverns

Located in Northeast Tennessee, the Appalachian Caverns is a spectacular destination for the whole family. Visitors can go on informative and exciting guided tours of the cave system, ranging from beginner to advanced. Once you’re done exploring the caves, you can check out the gem mine and gift shop. Or go on a picnic and pitch a tent at the nearby campground.  

6. Ruby Falls Cave

If you’re looking for something a little more unique, you must check out Ruby Falls Cave in Chattanooga. These falls were accidentally discovered in the 1920s deep inside Lookout Mountain. To get to the series of cascading waterfalls totaling 145 feet, you must walk through natural and very narrow tunnels. But you can also descend over 200 feet by way of a glass elevator to get to the cave and underground falls.

7. Bristol Caverns

Located in Sullivan County, Bristol Caverns is a unique attraction featuring ancient caverns, cave formations, and an underground river responsible for carving out these caverns over 200 million years ago. These caves served as hiding and ambush spots for Native Americans on unsuspecting settlers. And you can tour them by walking along paved and well-lit walkways that wind through chambers and the banks of the river.

8. Raccoon Mountain Caverns

As part of the Cumberland Plateau in Chatanooga, the Raccoon Mountain Caverns is over five miles of underground passageways less than ten minutes from Downtown. The cave tour at Raccoon Mountain is one of the highest-rated in the state and one of the most geologically active caves in the region. When you’re done exploring, stay at the nearby RV and Campground Resort!

9. Tuckaleechee Caverns

This popular tourist attraction is in Townsend and is the largest cave east of the Mississippi. The cave system runs under the Great Smoky Mountains, where you can walk more than a mile underground. During the guided tour, you will find enormous rooms big enough to fit a football stadium in and impressive subterranean waterfalls. The Tuckaleechee Caverns are perfect for people of all ages.

10. The Caverns

And finally, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, check out The Caverns, a subterranean concert hall. This renowned destination features live music from many artists, as well as adventure caves open for exploration. Visit this below-ground outdoor amphitheater for an incredible experience.

Incredible Caves in Tennessee: A Recap of the Top 10