Tuckaleechee Caverns

Tuckaleechee Caverns sit right in the centre of Townsend, about as convenient a cave visit as you will find anywhere in the Smokies. The cave system is genuinely impressive: a mile of well-lit passages open to the public, featuring one large "Big Room" roughly the size of a football field, with ceiling formations that include stalactites more than 20 feet long.

Guided tours last about an hour and cover the main passages and chambers. The temperature inside is a constant 58°F (14°C) year-round, which is a blessing in summer heat and a good reason to bring a jacket in winter. The lighting is designed to highlight the formations without overpowering them. Admission is charged; the cave is open daily from mid-March through November.

Tuckaleechee is one of the larger commercial cave systems in the eastern United States and makes a good wet-weather alternative when outdoor activities are rained out.

things to do sight
A story
Tuckaleechee Caverns were first explored systematically in the 1930s by two local teenagers who lowered themselves through a small opening on a rope and discovered a cave system far larger than anything visible from the surface. They spent years excavating and enlarging the entrance passages before opening the caves to the public in 1953. The original entrance hole — barely large enough for a person — is still visible near the ticket booth.