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Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern: A Spine-Tingling Underground Adventure in Chattanooga

By Merrell McGinness

I avoid horror movies and haunted houses—my last scary film was Children of the Corn in sixth grade. So, when assigned to explore Ruby Falls' Haunted Cavern, I was apprehensive. BuzzFeed ranked it fourth on their list of "terrifying haunted houses to see before you die" nationwide, not just in Chattanooga.

Ruby Falls offers plenty of family-friendly fall fun, like the High Point ZIP Adventure—a thrilling zip line and ropes course—with caves open daily during regular hours.
Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern: A Spine-Tingling Underground Adventure in ChattanoogaYet, my mission was to descend 26 stories into this haunted cave, far scarier than any surface haunt. Spotting a 7-year-old in line bolstered my courage (though I questioned her parents' choice). Not marketed as family-friendly, Ruby Falls leaves age decisions to guardians, with no minimum set.

The evening starts in the lobby, meeting creators Tim Green and Todd Patton, lifelong scare experts. Patton relocated for his Halloween store, while Green has run haunts since seventh grade.
“I love the thrill of fear and sharing it,” Green jokes. A car with an “ISCAREU” Ohio plate rolls by—visitors flock from afar, lines stretching 500 to 2,000. Last year, they terrified 20,000 in just one month.
The haunt opens at 8 p.m., but crowds arrive early for the 7:30 p.m. “Freak Parade,” featuring actors with chainsaws, masked figures, and “sliders” sparking across pavement.Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern: A Spine-Tingling Underground Adventure in Chattanooga

The first segment explores rarely seen cave sections, groups capped at six for immersion. Emerging from the elevator into narrow, pitch-black passages, I'm thankful: (1) I'm not claustrophobic; (2) I'm not leading.
Clutching my husband's arm, we navigate. What elevates Haunted Cavern is its intricate storyline, developed by Green and Patton since March: investigating "The Flesh Farm" zombie outbreak. We escape via the jolting “hellevator,” sprinting to our van on wobbly legs.
Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern: A Spine-Tingling Underground Adventure in ChattanoogaThe second phase unfolds in the parking lot maze of shipping containers and tents—fire, gore, and sensory tricks abound. Rooms alternate hot and stench-filled with icy chills; dripping water felt suspiciously like blood.
Beyond jump scares, it delivers creepy atmosphere, graphic effects, and pro-level makeup, sets, and performances.
In a scary world, safe thrills draw crowds. Exiting, I asked the 7-year-old if she was scared. “No, not really,” she said coolly.
Yeah… me neither.

Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern: A Spine-Tingling Underground Adventure in Chattanooga

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