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Caves in Tennessee: Show Caves, Cave Tours and State Park Caves
This directory lists 26 Tennessee caves: 9 show caves with guided tours, 8 caves in state parks, 7 in state natural areas and 2 historic caves. Each listing gives the tour and access rules from the official cave or park page.
Some protected caves are closed or permit-only. Six state park and natural area caves require a permit, and several are open only May 1 to August 31 to protect bats. Check the operator's current access rules before you go. No prices or customer reviews are listed.
Explore Tennessee show caves, guided tours and cave-access information. Compare the listed options and check each operator’s current access rules; some protected caves are closed or permit-only.
26 listings
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Park boundary center points, not entrances, campsites, waterfalls or directions. Point source: TDEC · Boundary: U.S. Census Bureau. No street map or geolocation is used.
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Questions
Which caves can I tour any time of year?
Cumberland Caverns (McMinnville) lists year-round tours, 7 days a week. Raccoon Mountain Caverns (Chattanooga) lists year-round tours. Lost Sea Adventure (Sweetwater) is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Others are seasonal: Tuckaleechee Caverns (Townsend) is open daily March to November, Forbidden Caverns (Sevierville) April 1 to November 25, closed Thursdays and Sundays, and The Caverns (Pelham) on Saturdays, Sundays and concert days.
Do I need a permit to go into a state park cave?
6 listings say a permit is required: Buggytop Cave (Head of the Crow State Park, two-mile hike in), Bunkum Cave (Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park, past the entrance), Camps Gulf Cave and Rumbling Falls Cave (Fall Creek Falls State Park), Jackson Cave (Cedars of Lebanon State Park) and Lost Creek Cave (Sparta). The state park caves list a May 1 to August 31 season. Dunbar Cave State Park (Clarksville) requires a guided tour for entry, May through September, ages 5 and up.
Which caves are closed?
Hubbard's Cave (McMinnville) is closed indefinitely and gated because of white-nose syndrome, and the Virgin Falls caves (Sparta) are closed to recreational use for the same reason. Nickajack Cave itself is closed, but gray bat viewing at dusk runs late April to early October. Cardwell Mountain is closed to the public for construction. Historic Cherokee Caverns (Knoxville) opens only for special events. Sequatchie Cave is entry by research permit only.
Are there wild cave or adventure tours?
Appalachian Caverns (Blountville) lists wild cave tours, and Raccoon Mountain Caverns lists Wild Cave expeditions. Cumberland Caverns and The Caverns list adventure tours, and Cumberland Caverns also lists overnight packages. Ask the operator about age, gear and booking rules.
Is there a cave tour for kids?
Ruby Falls (Chattanooga) lists Junior Caver tours along with its timed-entry walk to the underground waterfall. Dunbar Cave's guided tours are for ages 5 and up. Other listings don't give an age rule, so ask the operator.
How do I add a cave or fix a listing?
Call or text 629-259-2081 with the cave or park name, the official page, the location and what needs to change. There is no online form. You don't have to pay for a featured spot to send a correction.
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