Journey Deep into the Tuckaleechee Caverns in Tennessee
Explore an Underground Waterfall in the Tuckaleechee Caverns
The Great Smoky Mountains are known for their breathtaking waterfalls, but did you know there is a stunning waterfall deep underground in the Tuckaleechee Caverns? Silver Falls, is an impressive 210 foot double waterfall that you can visit. This lesser known cavern in Townsend, definitely needs to be added to your trip itinerary.
The Big Room in Tuckaleechee Caverns
Tuckaleechee Caverns is known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies" and it lives up to it’s name. Visitors will marvel at thousands of incredible cave formations along the 1.5 mile journey underneath the ground. We recently visited this unique place and complied a list of important tips and information that may be helpful in preparation for your visit to this breathtaking spot.
What to Expect
Journey deep into the Tuckaleechee Caverns to discover the mysteries of these underground caves. Tuckaleechee means peaceful valley in Cherokee. Altogether the guided tour takes approximately 1.5 hours. You’ll be led down a staircase to begin the walking tour through these amazing underground caverns.
River inside the Tuckaleechee Cavern
The tour guides you along a river on a lighted path. In the dark depths we personally loved viewing the unique cave formations illuminated by lights, drinking from the underground stream, and glimpsing the majestic waterfall. Knowledgeable tour guides shared information about the history and fun facts about the cave system throughout our trip. It is a great experience that all ages can enjoy and really showcases the beauty of Tennessee’s unique cave system.
We visited the caverns in April, on a recent Spring Break Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee with our family. We adventured with 4 children ages 4-10, who all enjoyed the experience. We stayed in a house in the town of Townsend, which was only minutes to the nearby the caverns. It’s a great spot to visit in all types of weather, including rain since you’re deep underground. The caverns stay at a cool 60 degrees all the time.
Highlights
Underground River: Believe it or not, the river that traverses the caverns is clean enough to actually drink straight from its fresh, cool waters!
Double Waterfall: One of the most striking features inside the caverns is Silver Falls, a memorizing double waterfall that is 210 feet in height. It’s a great spot for photo opportunities since the tour allows you to stand next to the illuminated lower falls. With the help of mounted lighting, you can also see a part of the upper falls portion.
Flow Stone Falls: Flow stone falls are quite impressive formations within the caverns. Formed over time by water containing calcite.
Waterfall in Tuckaleechee Caverns
Big Room: The second half of the trip visits an enormous open space called The "Big Room", which is the largest cave room in the Eastern United States that is open to visitors. It spans almost a football stadium in size with towering stalagmites. During the tour we learned about the different cave formations that developed over the years including stalactites, stalagmites, flow bacon and even a 24ft formation called the dragon’s toothpick.
Lights Out Experience: In the big room we were able to participate in a lights out experience. After everyone was safely seated the lights were turned off leaving you in utter darkness. It was quite the memorable experience.
Safety/Accessibility
Whenever you enter a cave there are some risks due to the slippery, wet conditions. The tour guides share safety protocol and precautions at the start of the adventure. The owners have also installed safety measures such as handrails and lighted concrete paths.
Caution should be used inside the caves since there are drop offs and steep stairs cases. Due to the naturally wet environment in the cave, especially with the river, there are slippery conditions so proper footwear is important, preferably ones with traction. The inside of caves are pretty wet and you may get a little muddy if you brush up against the cave walls or go near the river. You know your children best, make sure your little ones can follow directions and are closely monitored by an adult for safety reasons. We held our youngest child’s hand throughout the tour so he wouldn’t be tempted to run, jump or climb and perhaps slip or fall.
The caverns are not handicap accessible and there are numerous stairs to climb. If enclosed spaces are a concern, take note that the cave is fairly open without narrow paths on the tour. The caverns are a nice options for those individuals who otherwise would not explore.
Price of Admission
Adult – $22
Child (5 – 11) – $10
Child (4 – Under) – FREE
No reservations are needed.
The caverns are open.
March 1st – 31: 10am – 5pm
April 1 – October 31: 10am – 6 pm
November 1 – 30th: 10am – 5pm
History of the Caverns
In the 1930s, two young boys, Bill Vananda and Harry Myers, were playing when they observed an unusual sink hole. Little did they know they had discovered the entrance to the Tuckaleechee Caverns. To further explore they crafted a homemade lantern from a simple Coca Cola bottle filled with kerosene. The friends bravely crawled into the hole and explored much of the caverns. Keeping it a secret until they were adults, they later purchased the surrounding land.
Inspired by the popularity of the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, they followed suit and opened tours for a mere 5 cents. In 1953, these first self guided visitors were given a simple kerosene lantern and were allowed to explore on their own.
To this day, the caverns are still family owned and operated by the family members who originally discovered the Tuckaleechee Caverns.
Length of Time
The guided tour takes about 1.5 hour. Allow additional time to check out all the rocks, minerals and souvenirs in the gift shop during your visit. You will be grouped with about 20-25 people as you make your way through the 1.5 miles of caves on the tour. The friendly tour guides are quite knowledgeable, humorous, and entertained us throughout our underground adventure. We were highly impressed and learned tons of fascinating facts during our tour.
Getting There
The closest airport in Tennessee is Knoxville McGee Tyson Airport (TYS), approximately 1.5 hours from the Visitor Center entrance. This is one area that you will definitely need a car to travel around. If you’re visiting the National Park it’s a fun excursion during your stay.
Where to Stay
If you’re desiring a more peaceful setting surrounded by nature during your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains, Townsend is a great location. Townsend, also known as The Peaceful Side of the Smokies holds many unique places to explore. If your plans include spending most of your time outside exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this would be your best bet. It’s the closest town to the West of the National Park and has much less traffic.
We opted to stay in Townsend for a quieter experience, yet it’s only 30 minutes from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We stayed in a quaint Vrbo called the Little River Farmhouse, which had 3 acres of land along the Little River. We had a large outdoor space with a covered porch and hot tub, and a lovely trail leading down to the Little River.
We really appreciated the quieter setting to relax in the evenings with a bonfire, plus there were several suspension bridges to explore right down the road and along the river.
Check here to find the best rates and places to stay in Townsend or in the surrounding areas of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
Nearby Activities in Townsend:
Cade’s Cove scenic loop, Abrams Falls Waterfall Trail
Townsend Wye Swimming Hole
Tubing down the Little River
Cross Suspension bridges
Horseback riding in the wooded forests
In Sweetwater visit Lost Sea, the largest underground lake
Townsends also offers some great dining options in the area. A great restaurant for families, The Peaceful Social District has delicious food, a large outdoor seating area and even an outdoor nature playscape for kids.
Only 30 minutes away from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, there are tons of activities close by. Read our full trip guide to Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains with tips on fun attractions, hikes, and restaurants.
FAQ’s About Caves
Temperature in the Caverns
The temperature inside the caverns is around 59 degrees year-round. It’s perfect for rainy days or when you want relief from the heat. It remains at a cool, comfortable temperature throughout the day, but bring a jacket or a sweatshirt in case you get chilly.
Difference between a cave or cavern?
A cave does not always have speleothems and therefore cannot be considered a cavern. Caves have a section where no direct sunlight gains access, while it is not the same with caverns . Cave entrances are on the earth’s surface, while a cavern’s opening is underground. A cave has one opening, while a cavern may have multiple openings.
Are there bats inside the cave?
Yes, pygmy bats do make their homes inside the cavern. Although during our tour we did not see any bats, most stay deeper inside the caves.
Final Thoughts
This lesser known cavern is definitely worth the visit during your trip to The Great Smoky Mountains. This adventure is perfect for the whole family since it is both entertaining and educational, plus it really highlights the beauty of Tennessee, even deep underground!
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