Technically, this was not a hike. But we did cover 1.25 miles during the 75-minute tour.
Karel really wanted to visit a "cave" while we were in the Smoky Mountains and I came across the Tuckaleechee Caverns during an internet search. We were really impressed with all of the large mineral deposits (like the stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and columns). Our tour guide provided us with a lot of really cool facts and information about this cavern and the history/story behind it.
Here's some information about the Tuckaleechee cavern from the website:
Tuckaleechee Caverns of Townsend, TN. Known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies” are the highest rating Cave or Cavern of the Eastern United States. Carved inside the earth’s oldest mountain chain and estimated to be between twenty to thirty million years old, the Caverns are rich in history and lore in recent years as well. You will find the “BigRoom” on one end of the tour that could almost fit a football stadium inside it. On the other half of the tour you get to view “SilverFalls”. It falls 210 feet from top to bottom and the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern US . Millions of formations are viewed along the 1.25 mile round trip adventure.
Quick Facts
Location: Townsend, TN (~50 minutes or 23 miles to/from Gatlinburg)
Cost: $18-adults, $8-Child (5-11), Free-Child (4 and under)
Tour length: 75 minutes, 1.25 miles
Tour difficulty: There are a lot of steps (over 400) and tight spaces (low ceilings) but otherwise, not a difficult hike.
Best time for the tour: We were told the least popular time (smallest crowd) is in the afternoon. Also, if you tour after a rainstorm, you will see more waterfalls within the cavern. There are several tour guides. A tour starts every 15-20 minutes (we only had to wait aout 10 minutes).
Waterfall? YES!
Gift shop: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Drinks allowed? Yes. I suggest to bring an empty water bottle as there is a stop in the tour where you can fill up your bottle with fresh/clean water from inside the cavern.
Extra: Bring some spare change to toss in the wishing well. All the money collected each year is donated to a local elementary school.
Here are some pics from our tour:
Check out this shadow!! (A bear!)
