Did you know that Tennessee is home to over 10,000 caves, which is the most of any U.S. state? Spelunking, or exploring caves, is a popular hobby in many regions of the state. If you love caves and are visiting Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, continue reading below to gain an understanding of the caves in the area.
Forbidden Caverns
The first cave on our list is located near the picturesque English Mountain. For hundreds of years, Native Americans (specifically the Eastern Woodland Indians) used the Forbidden Caverns for shelter and constant supply of water. They used flint, which is found in the caves, to make knives, arrowheads, and other supplies.
Later, during the 1920s and 1930s, the caverns were used as a location to manufacture moonshine. Because the cave is secluded and the water supply plentiful, it was the perfect spot for making homemade whiskey.
In 1967, Forbidden Caverns opened to the public for touring.
Getting to the caves is part of the fun. You’ll travel through a picturesque valley with gorgeous mountain views as you approach the caverns.
Once inside the 58-degree caves, you’ll explore spectacular formations, tall natural chimneys, grottos, and a sparkling creek. You’ll enjoy the special lighting effects as you take your fun, educational tour. Handrails are provided on this easy-to-walk trip.
Forbidden Caverns is a short drive of about 45 minutes from Gatlinburg. They are open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., April 1 through November 30 each year; but are closed on Thursdays, Sundays, and Thanksgiving Day.
Tickets are $20 for ages 13+ and $12 for kids ages 5-12. Children under 5 are free!
Visit the caverns today at 455 Blowing Cave Road, Sevierville, TN 37876.
Tuckaleechee Caverns
In the 1940s, two young boys named Bill Vananda and Harry Myers spent much of their free time playing in and around Tuckaleechee Caverns. Using cola bottles filled with kerosene to provide light, they spent many hours exploring the caves.
In 1953, after a lot of hard work, the two friends opened the caves as a tourist attraction.
In the first year, 2,000 people visited the caves. Now, an average of 50,000 visitors come yearly.
Tuckaleechee Caverns are often known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies.” During the tour, you’ll visit the Big Room, which is nearly the size of a football stadium. The caverns also boast a 210 feet waterfall known as Silver Falls, which is the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern United States! During the 1.25-mile-long trip, you’ll admire millions of natural formations as well.
The caverns are open 7 days a week. They are open the following dates and times each year: March 1-March 31 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.), April 1-October 31 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), and November 1-November 30 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Adult tickets are $20, children ages 5-11 are $9, and kids under 4 are free.
These captivating caverns are about 50 minutes from Gatlinburg. Check them out at 825 Cavern Road, Townsend, TN 37882.
The Lost Sea Adventure
The history of The Lost Sea Adventure is so rich and vast, you’ll be fascinated during your whole tour!
You’ll learn of how the Cherokee Indians used the cave and how white settlers stored their potatoes and vegetables there, using it as a natural refrigerator. In the 1860s, the Confederate Army mined the caves for saltpeter, which was used to manufacture gunpowder.
Later, the cave was also used for cockfights, dancing, and moonshining.
In 1905, a thirteen-year-old boy named Ben Sands crawled underground for about 300 feet, at which time he found a huge room filled with water. For the rest of his life, he retold the story of how he threw mudballs into the darkness as hard as he could, but only heard splashes. He was never able to locate the room’s walls or ceilings, as it was so vast and dark.
To this day, divers with exploration equipment are not able to identify exactly how large and deep The Lost Sea is. The US Department of the Interior has named the Lost Sea, America’s Largest Underground Lake, as a Registered National Landmark.
When visiting the caverns, you’ll enjoy a ¾ mile round-trip guided tour of the caves, enjoying the large rooms and beautiful formations. At the bottom of the cave, you’ll take a boat ride on The Lost Sea!
Visit The Lost Sea Adventure any day of the year, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
This cave is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Downtown Gatlinburg, but it’s worth the drive! Tickets for adults are $23.95, children ages 4-12 are $13.95, and kids under 3 are admitted free. The last tour leaves at 5pm each day.
In addition to the cave, you’ll also get to see the Old Sweetwater Village which includes a gift shop, blacksmith shop and gem mine.
The Lost Sea Adventure is located at 140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater, TN 37874. You can check out their website by clicking here.
Alum Cave
Get ready for a day of exploration! The 4.6-mile roundtrip hike on Alum Cave Trail is sure to be an adventure.
You’ll cross log bridges and travel through an old-growth hardwood forest. Hiking up the stone stairs through Arch Rock is the highlight of the journey for many hikers.
After about two miles, you’ll reach Inspiration Point, which offers incredible views of a rocky valley surrounded by stunning mountains. Next, you’ll find Alum Cave. Some hikers turn back after viewing the cave; but, if you’re up for the challenge, you can continue to the summit of Mount Le Conte, which offers incredible panoramic views.
This “cave” is more about the journey and mountainous views rather than the cave itself. Alum Cave isn’t really a cave. It is actually a large arch in the side of the mountain, which gives the impression of a cave.
In 1837, three farmers applied for a grant of a 50-acre lot of land that included Alum Cave. They were granted the land; and the Epsom Salts Manufacturing Company began mining magnesium sulfate, alum, magnesia, saltpeter, and copperas.
The “cave” is named Alum Cave because of the deposits of alum found along the cave walls to this day.
This hike is considered strenuous, steep, and difficult; so, it is best reserved for experienced hikers. You can find the Alum Cave Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road, which is only about 20 minutes outside of Gatlinburg. It is best to visit the trail April through November.
Your Gatlinburg adventure won’t be complete without exploring at least one of East Tennessee’s caves. Admire the incredible formations of the Forbidden Caverns or the Tuckaleechee Caverns. Take boat ride on The Lost Sea or hike to see the Alum Cave. The natural wonder of these caverns will be an enjoyable experience that will thrill and excite the whole family!
