Tennessee Caves & Caverns You Can Actually Tour (Yes, They’re Unreal)

Tennessee sits on top of some of the most jaw-dropping underground landscapes in America, and the best part? You don’t need to be a spelunker to see them. From glowing waterfalls deep beneath the earth to boat rides on hidden lakes, these caves offer guided tours that let anyone explore safely.

Whether you’re planning a family trip or just looking for something wildly different to do, these caverns are bucket-list material.

1. Ruby Falls (Chattanooga)

Picture walking through narrow passageways carved by nature over millions of years, then suddenly standing before a 145-foot waterfall cascading inside a mountain. That’s Ruby Falls, and it’s one of those experiences that photos can’t quite capture.

The guided tour takes you deep underground, where colorful lights illuminate rock formations with names like Dragon’s Foot and Elephant’s Foot. Your guide shares stories about how Leo Lambert discovered the falls in 1928 while drilling an elevator shaft. The grand finale is the waterfall itself, lit up in a light show that feels almost magical.

Because this spot is insanely popular, tickets are timed-entry and sell out fast, especially on weekends and holidays.

2. The Lost Sea Adventure (Sweetwater)

Ever wondered what it’s like to float on water that’s been hidden underground for thousands of years? The Lost Sea holds the Guinness World Record as America’s largest underground lake, and yes, you actually get to ride a glass-bottom boat across it.

Your journey starts with a three-quarter-mile guided walk through cavern rooms filled with stalactites and flowstone formations. Along the way, you’ll hear wild stories about moonshiners who once used these caves, and even Confederate soldiers who left their signatures on the walls. Then comes the coolest part: boarding a boat and gliding across crystal-clear water while your guide points out rainbow trout swimming below.

The whole experience takes about an hour and a half, and the constant 58-degree temperature means you’ll want that jacket. It’s located right off I-75, making it a perfect road trip stop between Knoxville and Chattanooga.

3. Cumberland Caverns (McMinnville)

If you’re the type who can’t decide between a chill sightseeing tour and a full-on underground adventure, Cumberland Caverns lets you do both. This massive cave system stretches for miles beneath the Cumberland Plateau, and they’ve got options ranging from easy walking tours to crawl-through-mud expeditions.

The standard walking tour shows off huge rooms like the Hall of the Mountain King, where they sometimes host underground concerts. You’ll see formations that look like frozen waterfalls and learn how these caves were used as a saltpeter mine during the Civil War. For thrill-seekers, the adventure tours involve helmets, headlamps, and squeezing through tight passages most tourists never see.

The temperature hovers around 56 degrees, so dress in layers. Whether you’re eight or eighty, there’s probably a tour here that matches your comfort level and sense of adventure.

4. Raccoon Mountain Caverns (Chattanooga)

Not all cave tours are created equal, and Raccoon Mountain knows it. They offer two totally different experiences depending on whether you want to stay clean or embrace your inner explorer.

The regular guided tour is perfect for families and anyone who prefers well-lit paths and interesting geology without the drama. You’ll walk through rooms filled with shield formations, which are pretty rare in caves, and hear about the cave’s history.

But if you’re feeling bold, the Wild Cave Expeditions are where things get real. We’re talking crawling through muddy passages, squeezing through tight spots, and seeing parts of the cave system that most visitors never experience. Don’t worry—they provide all the gear, including helmets, headlamps, and coveralls.

5. The Caverns (Pelham)

Most people know The Caverns for hosting some of the most unique concerts in Tennessee—imagine seeing your favorite band perform inside a cave with natural acoustics. But even when there’s no show, you can still tour this stunning underground space.

The standard cave tour takes you through the main cavern rooms where concerts happen, plus deeper sections filled with formations that look like they belong in a fantasy movie. Your guide explains how the cave was formed and points out features like flowstone curtains and soda straws.

What sets this place apart is the vibe. It’s not just a geological wonder; it’s also a cultural venue that proves caves can be living, breathing spaces for art and music. Located about an hour south of Nashville, it makes a great day trip.

6. Bristol Caverns (Bristol)

Tucked away in Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia border, Bristol Caverns offers a classic cave tour experience that’s been welcoming visitors for decades. It’s one of those places that feels timeless, where the focus is purely on the natural beauty underground.

Guided tours lead you through winding passages carved by an ancient underground river that still flows through parts of the cave today. You’ll see towering columns where stalactites and stalagmites have joined together over thousands of years, and delicate formations that look almost too perfect to be real.

If you’re road-tripping through the Tri-Cities area, Bristol Caverns makes a perfect stop. It’s not as famous as some of the bigger tourist caves, which means smaller crowds and a more relaxed pace. Wear good walking shoes, and be ready for some stairs and uneven paths.

7. Appalachian Caverns (Blountville)

Way up in the northeastern corner of Tennessee, Appalachian Caverns delivers variety. Whether you want a gentle stroll through well-lit passages or a heart-pounding crawl through tight spaces, they’ve designed tours for every adventure level.

The basic guided tour covers the main cavern areas, where you’ll see impressive formations and learn about the cave’s role in local history, including its use as a Civil War hideout. But things get interesting when you look at their Explorer and Wild tour options.

Explorer tours take you deeper into less-developed sections with more challenging terrain. Wild tours? Those are for serious adventurers who don’t mind getting dirty, squeezing through narrow gaps, and experiencing the cave the way early explorers did.

8. Bell Witch Cave (Adams)

If you like your cave tours with a side of spine-tingling folklore, Bell Witch Cave delivers both geology and ghost stories. This cave is tied to one of Tennessee’s most famous legends: the Bell Witch haunting from the early 1800s, which supposedly tormented the Bell family and even attracted Andrew Jackson’s attention.

The tour takes you through the cave where strange occurrences were reported during the haunting. Your guide shares the full legend while pointing out natural features like underground streams and rock formations.

The cave itself isn’t as massive or developed as some others on this list, but the storytelling makes it memorable. It’s seasonal, typically open spring through fall, so check ahead before planning your visit. Bring a flashlight and wear shoes with good grip—the cave floor can be slippery and uneven in spots.

9. Forbidden Caverns (Sevierville)

Just outside the Smoky Mountains tourist corridor, Forbidden Caverns offers a tour that feels like stepping into another world. The name alone makes you curious, and the cave lives up to the intrigue with some of the most colorful formations you’ll see anywhere in Tennessee.

Guided tours wind through chambers filled with formations in shades of white, orange, and even purple, thanks to mineral deposits. You’ll see natural chimneys reaching up through the rock, underground streams, and walls covered in delicate cave pearls.

Located near Sevierville, it’s an easy addition to any Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge trip. The cave stays around 58 degrees, so a light jacket is smart even on hot summer days. Tours run seasonally, typically May through October, and last about an hour.