Address: 825 Cavern Road, Townsend, Tennessee 37882.
Phone: (865) 448-2274
Seasons: Open from March 15th – November 15th
Hours: Everyday from 10 am until 5 pm.
Website: www.tuckaleecheecaverans.com
The Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend Tennessee are some of the most remarkable caverns you will find anywhere in the United States! The shears size of the caverns and the outstanding formations make the Tuckaleechee Caverns a must see attraction for anyone visiting the Smoky Mountain Area.
History of the Caverns
The local Cherokee Indians are believed to be the first people to find the caverns. The first white men started moving into the area during the 1700’s. At first folks began to notice the cool breeze coming from a sink hole located between, what is now Townsend and the Smoky Mountains, near Cades Cove. People noticed that during wet weather, water would disappear down into this sink hole. Sometime after that, around the middle of the 1800’s, the first white man found an entrance down into the caverns.
Tuckaleechee Caverns first opened to the public in 1931. Unfortunately, this was poor timing for the opening to correspond with the Great Depression. The caverns soon closed, and remained closed for a number of years. Two young, local fellas got to thinking they might try and reopen the caverns to the public as a tourist attraction. It took them a while to put together funding, but eventually they succeeded. Tuckaleechee Caverns were opened to the public again in 1953.
Around 1954 a group of cave explorers found what is now called the Big Room. The Big Room is enormous! By the following year, this new find was opened to the public.
A few months after the discovery of the Big Room another room was discovered. Unfortunately, it had to remain closed to the public. The only way to open it would destroy too much of the unique features of the caverns.
Features
Tuckaleechee Caverns feature huge rooms! The largest of these being the Big Room. The Big Room is over a football field in length and width! The ceiling in this room is over 149 feet high. There are a great number of formations located within the cavern. Some of the most remarkable extend over 20 feet in height! These were formed over many thousands of years by deposits left from dripping water.
Silver Falls is a spectacular double waterfall located inside the Caverns. The Tuckaleechee Caverns are natural wonder visitors must see!
For more information on Tuckaleechee Caverns visit tuckaleecheecaverns.com
Directions to the Caverns
From Route 321 in Townsend turn on to the Old Cades Cove Road. Go about 8/10th’s of mile until you see the sign for Dry Valley Road. Turn Left on to Dry Valley Road and go another 1/2 mile to Cavern Road (stay left at the ‘Y’). From here it is just down a short bit on the left had side. There are also some big bill board signs that will point you to the road leading up to the caverns.
The Tuckleechee Caverns have over 50,000 visitors a year!
Admission:
Adults $15
Children $7
Children under 4 freeThings to Bring Along
Good Pair of Hiking Shoes
Bottled Water
Camera with a flash
Optional- Light Jacket
Recommendations:
Tuckaleechee Caverns are a Must See!
“I have been coming to the mountains for years and this was our first time visiting the Tuckaleechee Caverns. It was so amazing! This was the highlight of our trip! It is the most amazing thing I have ever seen while visiting the area! This is a must see!!! Thanks Diane, N.C.Very Educational for the Kids!
“At first we almost didn’t go in… It looked kind of run down. But we were so happy we did! The people who lead the tour were so friendly and informative! The kids loved it! It has been all they talked about during the whole trip! Excellent! Jamie, Indiana
Travel Times from Wears Valley:
Tuckaleechee Caverns…………………….. 15 minutes
Pigeon Forge ………………………………… 10 minutes
Gatlinburg……………………………………… 18 minutes
Cades Cove ………………………………… 20 minutes
Dollywood ……………………………………. 12 minutes
Townsend …………………………………….. 10 minutes
Knoxville Airport …………………………… 40 minutes
