Question 1

Which caves can I tour any time of year?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to go into a state park cave?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Which caves are closed?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Are there wild cave or adventure tours?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Is there a cave tour for kids?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How do I add a cave or fix a listing?

Accepted Answer

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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