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Raccoon Mountain Caverns, Chattanooga, TN

Photo: Tzoghby, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

AttractionsFamily FavoriteOutdoor AdventureRainy-Day Pick

Raccoon Mountain Caverns

Take a guided walk through the lit Crystal Palace section of a Chattanooga cave, or crawl and squeeze through its wild passages on an expedition tour.

319 West Hills Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37419 · Chattanooga, TN

About Raccoon Mountain Caverns

Raccoon Mountain Caverns opened to the public in 1931 after Leo Lambert, who also opened Ruby Falls, followed cold air blowing out of cracks at the foot of the mountain. More than 5.5 miles of passage have been mapped, and the cave stays at 58 degrees all year. The Crystal Palace walking tour takes 45 to 55 minutes through the first quarter mile on lit paths with steps and handrails. Wild Cave Expeditions go deeper, with crawling, climbing and squeezing. A campground with RV sites and cabins sits on the same property, and campers get 15 percent off cave tours.

  • #cave tour
  • #caverns
  • #spelunking
  • #chattanooga
  • #campground

What's around here?

The closest stops to Raccoon Mountain Caverns, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Ruby Falls

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    3.9 mi awayMore like this

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    Transit: reachable by public transit

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  • Attractions
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  • Tours
    Quirky Fun

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    Transit: reachable by public transit

    6.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Chattanooga

    No admission fee

    Official visitor site for Chattanooga, Tennessee, covering attractions, dining, hotels, and events.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    6.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums

    Hunter Museum of American Art

    Under $25

    An art museum in downtown Chattanooga focused on American painting, sculpture, and newer media.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    6.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums