50 States of Wonder
7 Underground Thrills Only Found in Tennessee

Visitors venturing inside these caverns, at the eastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, are immediately greeted by lights and sounds that bring the subterranean lair to life. The cavern is home to arresting mineral formations; echoing grottoes; silent reflecting pools; and a clear, cool stream.

Since 1967, the cave has been home to guided tours, light shows, and sound presentations that highlight the history and legends associated with the Forbidden Caverns. (Read more.)

A trek through Craighead Caverns leads to a spectacular underground lake known as the Lost Sea. At more than four acres, it's one of the country's largest underground lakes—and the privately owned attraction is even recognized by the National Park Service as a National Natural Landmark. The Lost Sea is not just large and beautiful, but also filled with a variety of beautiful, unusual anthodites—spiky, crystalline structures also known as "cave flowers." (Read more.)

This mile-long cave system near Townsend draws spelunkers from near and far. A visit to these caverns is a chance to view strange geological formations, including waist-high stalagmites in a sprawling stretch known as the Big Room. A crystal-clear stream also flows throughout. (Read more.)

Filled with rolling hills and bright green grass, Erin, Tennessee, is sometimes known as the state’s own little slice of Ireland. When visiting this emerald gem, head downtown, and you’ll discover an amazing example of limestone quarrying history tucked behind the local Piggly Wiggly.

You may notice a hole in a huge rock jutting up behind the building. The rock is actually a large cave, artificially constructed as part of a limestone quarry. Visitors may take a gander inside and observe its massive, vaulted ceilings—but proceed with caution, as water often floods it. (Read more.)

Crafted in the 1930s, this oddly organic concrete cavern is a trippy mix of strange stone forms, expert craftsmanship, and religious imagery. Journeying into this cavern offers a chance for deep reflection.

While no one is buried in or under the grotto, it sits in the middle of Memorial Park Cemetery. Inside, visitors encounter works by the artist Dionicio Rodríguez, as well as quartz crystals that appear to glow. All of the stonework surrounds a series of Biblical tableaus, starring several little two-dimensional figures. To complete the experience, visitors are treated to haunting harp music. (Read more.)

On the Tennessee River, a short trip upstream from the Nickajack Dam, is a very large, partly flooded cave rich with history. During the summer months, it's not uncommon to see tens of thousands of grey bats leaving their perches in the 140-foot-wide cave to head out for dinner. Up to 60,000 of them are known to emerge at sunset. 

The cave has long been used by the native people of the area, and was later utilized as a saltpeter mine. It's also shrouded in a bit of mystery, wrapped up in local legends about giant catfish rumored to feed on the winged residents. (Read more.)

This vast cave system on the outskirts of Chattanooga consists of more than five miles of underground passageways waiting to be traversed and admired, with the help of a lighted walking trail. 

The caves are geologically active, well-preserved, and home to an astonishing array of species. Along your walk, don't be surprised to find salamanders, bats, and a rare spider that is found nowhere else. (Read more.)