Discover Chattanooga's Extraordinary Underground Caves: Top Attractions and Adventures

The Chattanooga region boasts over 7,000 caves within 60 miles of downtown, offering year-round exploration at a constant 55°F temperature—ideal for any weather. Commercial caves draw visitors nationwide, while adventurous explorers can venture into wild caves. For more on wild caving, visit the Southeastern Regional Association of the National Speleological Society or the Southeastern Cave Conservancy. Here are some of the area's most popular caves:

RACCOON MOUNTAIN CAVERNS
Just outside Chattanooga, Raccoon Mountain Caverns features over 5.5 miles of passages. The accessible 45-minute Crystal Palace Tour highlights stunning formations and geology. For thrill-seekers, the Wild Cave Expedition provides gear like gloves, knee pads, helmets, and lights for navigating chambers, canyons, tunnels, streams, and waterfalls—expect tight squeezes and crawling.

PETTY JOHN’S CAVE
In the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Petty John’s Cave spans 6.5 miles and reaches 235 feet deep. Highlights include the Worm Hole squeeze, vast rooms, and a stream 80 feet below a bridge. Georgia Girl Guides offers 1-, 2-, and 4-hour guided wild cave tours.

SITTON’S CAVE
Nestled in Cloudland Canyon State Park, this horizontal cave (no ropes needed) is open for tours in April, June, July, September, and October. Marvel at soda straw stalactites and an underground river. Georgia Girl Guides provides 1-, 2-, and 4-hour guided tours.

NICKAJACK CAVE
Adjacent to Nickajack Lake in the Nickajack Cave Wildlife Refuge, this cave shelters thousands of endangered gray bats from late April to early October. View from Maple View Boat Ramp by paddle or via boardwalk from Maple View Day Use Area. Best time: just before dusk in July-September to witness the bats' emergence—a spectacular natural phenomenon.

RUBY FALLS
On Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is Chattanooga's premier attraction: a 145-foot waterfall 1,100 feet underground in a 2.5-mile cave. After the falls, thrill to a zipline tour above ground.

Photo credits: Matthew MacPherson, Jeff Gunn, Eliot Scarpetti, Ronmacal, Bryce Edwards & Camille King