Raccoon Mountain Caverns Is An Underground Cave In Tennessee You Have To Visit
By Chris Dodge|Published February 28, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
The Volunteer State has many hidden gems tucked away from east to west. We love how much there is to see and find in Tennessee, and just when you think you know it all you start discovering more. There are a lot of campgrounds in our country, but not many of them have their own cave system! Raccoon Mountain Caverns in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ranks up there with many of the must-see caves in our state. You can take a casual tour or crawl your way through if you are feeling more adventurous.
If you are traveling from far away, then a stay at the Raccoon Mountain campground is a great option.
While you wait for your tour, why not enjoy a stay in a cabin, bring your RV, or pitch a tent? The amenities are pretty nice as well; you can cool off in the pool on a hot day, play with your kids on the playground, or take in some hiking trails. When you are ready, make your way into Raccoon Mountain Caverns.
The cave system is 5.5 miles long, and you have two tour options: The Crystal Palace Tour and The Wild Cave Expedition Tour (more on that later).
The Cyrstal Palace Tour will take guests on a guided 40-55 minute walk through the cave. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to learn about the cave's history and how the rock formations came to be. The tour will also showcase some animals that call the caverns home.
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Salamanders have a rich environment suitable for them to live right in the cave. Not only can you see these interesting creatures, but chances are you will also see a bat or two.
This cave is considered to be the most geologically active cave in the South, so it should be no surprise to find rare formations. As you continue on your tour, you will even get a chance to look at ancient fossils.
Those feeling more adventurous can sign up for the Wild Cave Expedition Tour.
This intense trip will take a minimum of two hours to complete, and you will get very muddy. The tour requires traveling through tight spaces, which involves lots of physically demanding work as you will be twisting, crawling, and squeezing your way through underdeveloped sections of the caverns. It might not be a tour for everyone, but if you sign up, you are sure to have a memorable experience.
Raccoon Mountain Caverns in Chattanooga is a must-see cave system. With rare geological features, this cave has some serious underground beauty. It isn’t every day that you can stay in a campground that has its own cave system, so make sure you book a weekend for an unforgettable experience. For more information on the campground and cave, please visit the Raccoon Mountain website.
For another epic place to visit, the nearby Lookout Mountain has tons to offer and is worth exploring.
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