Tuckaleechee Caverns

Tuckaleechee Caverns is a commercial cave and tourist attraction located in Townsend, Tennessee awarded 5 stars by AAA. Tuckaleechee Caverns is a short drive from Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Knoxville and Chattanooga. Tuckaleechee Caverns is the Highest rated cave or cavern in the Eastern US awarded 5 star "GEM" attraction by AAA. These caverns were discovered in the mid-19th century and were opened to the public by Bill Vananda and Harry Myers in 1953. On one end of the Tuckaleechee Caverns tour, the "Big Room" is found, which is the largest cave/cavern room that is open to the public in the eastern United States. Many stalagmites reach over 24 feet tall with flow-stone formations over hundreds of feet in length and width. Tuckaleechee Caverns is proud to have the tallest underground waterfall in the eastern United States, named "Silver Falls", a 210 foot two-tier waterfall. Tuckaleechee Caverns is one of the most active or "alive" caves/caverns the public can visit on Earth and it is located under the Great Smokey Mountains, the oldest mountain range on the planet. Tuckaleechee Caverns is located in Dry Valley of Townsend, Tennessee. The Caverns are two miles away from Cades Cove, which is where the cavern actually originates (at White Oak Sinks in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park). The Caverns also host the most sensitive seismograph system on the planet and is monitored by the United States military Department of Defense and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Real-time, worldwide, earthquake and nuclear activity are displayed in the welcome center. Find a gift for anyone in our giftshop, such as crystals, fossils, hats and tee-shirts, then enjoy our award winning fudge in the sweetshop.   The cave is noted for its onyx formations, "Big Room," and high waterfalls. Tours are conducted along lighted walkways. AAA star attraction, Tuckaleechee Caverns at Townsend, TN., are known as the "Greatest Site Under the Smokies". Estimated to be between 20 and 30 million years old, the Caverns are rich in history and lore in recent years as well.