Raccoon Mountain Adventure: Explore Caverns Below and Trails Above Near Chattanooga
While you've likely hiked many mountains, how often do you get to traverse over and under the same one in a single day? Just 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Raccoon Mountain delivers a unique over-under experience. Begin at Raccoon Mountain Caverns, rated among the top 10 caves in the U.S. On-site camping and RV facilities make it ideal for overnight stays.
The cave reveals an underground wonderland of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstone, natural bridges, and more.
These formations grow just one cubic inch every 100 years, shaped by magnesium-rich water dripping from the ceiling. A "cave kiss" from this growth brings seven years of good luck—consider yourself blessed if it happens!
Dress in sturdy shoes and clothes that can handle some dirt. For a quick visit, choose the 45-minute walking tour, featuring the Crystal Palace Room—the Southeast's largest cave chamber—along a quarter-mile path.
For thrill-seekers, wild cave expeditions provide gear and guides for 1- to 6-hour adventures, including overnight options in the cave for tours over four hours.
Head topside for fresh air: A 15-minute drive leads to the summit with biking and hiking trails around TVA's expansive reservoir. Enjoy views of the Tennessee River, distant peaks, and the 12-billion-gallon lake.
TVA's pumped-storage facility, nearly 1,000 feet below, operates by pumping water from Nickajack Lake to the upper reservoir during low demand. Turbines generate power for the Tennessee Valley when needed.
Public tours of this unique TVA facility ended years ago for safety reasons. Instead, visit the TVA Visitor Center for interactive displays, a virtual tour, and insights into the system.
From the Visitor Center, access numerous trails, or drive to Laurel Point (right on the one-way road) for picnic areas, sports fields, and more paths. East Overlook provides panoramic Chattanooga views and additional trails. Click here for maps to the Visitor Center, biking trails, and spots. Detailed trail maps at the center indicate difficulty and length; leashed pets welcome.
