Top 4 Things You Need to Know About Visiting Tuckaleechee Caverns
One of the great things about staying at Hearthside at the Preserve is that we are just a short drive from Townsend TN, where you will find the stunning Tuckaleechee Caverns. These caverns are considered the greatest site under the Smokies and feature guided tours where you can learn more about this remarkable cave system! Here are the top 4 things you need to know about visiting Tuckaleechee Caverns.
1. What to Expect
Tuckaleechee Caverns are carved within the world’s oldest mountain chain and estimated to be between 20 to 30 million years old. You can join one of the fascinating tours to learn more about the history of these caverns and to explore some of the incredible formations. On one end of the tour, you will get to see the “Big Room,” which is nearly large enough to fit an entire football stadium and contains stalagmites up to 24 feet tall. The tour also features the opportunity to view “Silver Falls,” a 210 foot waterfall that is the tallest subterranean waterfall in the eastern part of the USA! Don’t miss this 1.25-mile round trip adventure that is sure to be a highlight of your vacation to the Smoky Mountains!
2. History of the Caverns
Tuckaleechee Caverns opened to the public for just one year in 1931 but were closed shortly thereafter due to the Depression. The caverns didn’t open to the public again until 1953, when W.E. “Bill” Vananda and Harry Myers fulfilled their vision of turning the cave into a tourist attraction. The Big Room was discovered a year later by the National Speleological Society and was opened to the public in 1955. While Tuckaleechee Caverns received 2,000 visitors during the first year of operation in 1953, the popularity of the caverns has grown so much that there are now more than 50,000 visitors each year!
3. Times, Dates, and Location
You will find Tuckaleechee Caverns at 825 Cavern Road in Townsend, TN, which is easily accessed by traveling west on Highway 321 from Wears Valley or Pigeon Forge. The caverns are open daily 10 am to 5 pm from March 1 to March 31, 10 am to 6 pm from April 1 to October 31, and 10 am to 5 pm from November 1 to November 30. When planning your vacation to the Smokies, contact Tuckaleechee Caverns at (865) 448-2274 to confirm the operating hours!
4. Admission Information
The tickets to Tuckaleechee Caverns are one of the top bargains in the Smokies, making the cave a perfect destination for couples, families, and groups. There are separate admission fees for adults and children ages 5 to 11, while kids 4 years old and younger are admitted into the cave for free. There is no need to make any reservations, so just show up at the cave for your unique subterranean adventure!
Check out all of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals today to enjoy a wonderful vacation near Tuckaleechee Caverns! We look forward to seeing you soon at Hearthside at the Preserve!
