From Contributed Reports

According the Tennessee Caves Survey, Inc., a member of the National Speleological Society, Tennessee has more than 8,700 caves, more than any other state in United States. One hundred of those caves are well-known to spelunkers and go by exotic names such as Hang ‘Em High, Roaring Panther, Paradox, and
China. Nine of these caves are commercial show caves and draw thousands of visitors annually to Tennessee’s underground attractions.

Explorers, who don’t want to invest in caving gear or crawl through muddy tunnels and rock-tight squeezes, will find the commercial caves a pleasant journey into the underworld of spectacular, high-ceiling rock rooms, drip-stone formations and mysterious legends.

Appalachian Caverns
420 Cave Hill Road, Blountville
Appalachian Caverns’ gigantic rooms of delicate crystals and massive stone columns are revealed on the one hour guided tour of Tennessee’s newest show cave, opened in 2004. Tours begin every thirty minutes. An elaborate lighting system along with dry stone and concrete walkways allow visitors to
stroll leisurely through a labyrinth of rambling corridors and rock rooms glazed with the rich colors of minerals such as manganese, iron, calcium and copper. The cave temperature is a constant 52 degrees, so visitors are encouraged to dress warmly.

Colonies of Grey, Big Brown and Eastern Pipistrelle bats inhabit the caverns and may be seen on the tour, but these animals are shy and prefer the darker recesses of the cavern ceilings. A three-and-one-half hour Wild Tour is offered for the more adventurous visitors into the undeveloped parts of the cave. It is challenging but safe for amateur explorers.

The caverns are open daily, year-round and operated by the Appalachian Caverns Foundation. Hours vary by season, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead or check the Web site for more information. The Appalachian Caverns. Campground on is open daily with private restrooms, hot showers and camping
sites for RVs, campers and tent setups by reservation. Call 423-323-2337 or visit www.appalachiancaverns.com for more information.

Bell Witch Cave
430 Keysburg Road, Adams
North America’s most authentic haunting by an 1800s entity known as the Bell Witch did not take place at this cave, but modern snapshots of glowing orbs and tales of mysterious experiences in the Bell Witch Cave draw visitors from all over the world to the tiny town of Adams and the bluffs above the
Red River.

The Bell Witch Cave was once part of the John Bell Farm where the haunting took place. It is also located near an ancient Native American burial ground and a segment of the historic Trail of Tears, lending credence to stories of a dark-haired Indian woman who sometimes appears to visitors along pathways
on the farm.

The cave itself is not as spectacular in size as other Tennessee show caves, but contains many shadowy channels, strange formations and mysterious sounds within its dark chambers.

The staff of the Bell Witch Cave Farm offers four-hour canoe trips on the Red River to Port Royal State Park and night-time candlelight tours of a replica of the John Bell cabin. Special tours, including Halloween, are by appointment. The cave and grounds are closed on Tuesdays and heavy rains sometimes suspend tours due to cave flooding. For seasonal hours and times of operation, call (615) 696-3055 or visit www.bellwitchcave.com.

Bristol Caverns
Bristol Caverns Hwy. (Tenn. Rt. 435), Bristol
Bristol Caverns’ vaulted chambers follow the banks of an ancient underground river that carved its channels out of bedrock some 200-400 million years ago. The river and the caverns became a swift escape route for Native Americans who swooped down on pioneer settlers infringing on their hunting grounds. A quick disappearance into the hidden caverns made it appear as if
the earth had enveloped them.

Visitors to Bristol Caverns will be retracing those same warrior paths as they explore vaulted rooms, natural stone arches, drapes of stone and stalactites and stalagmites that range from tree-trunk to straw-sized creations. Red, blue, gray and brown veins of minerals, interlaced with sparkling white crystals, glaze the cavern walls, making Bristol Caverns one of the most beautiful caves in northeast Tennessee.

Concealed, indirect lighting adds to the beauty of the tour as visitors descend down three levels to the great river. The waters reflect the dramatic formations of Lover’s Leap, Bridal Veil and Entrance Hall, and cameras are permitted to record each dazzling view.

Bristol Caverns is open daily, year-round, except on major holidays in spring and winter, and times vary within a few hours seasonally. For more information on times and admission costs, call 423-878-2011 or visit www.bristolcaverns.com.

Additional Commercial Caves for exploring:
Cumberland Caverns
1437 Cumberland Caverns Road, McMinnville
(931) 668-4396
www.cumberlandcaverns.com

Forbidden Caverns
455 Blowing Cave Road, Sevierville
(423) 453-5972
www.forbiddencavern.com

Lost Sea
140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater
(423) 337-6616
www.thelostsea.com

Raccoon Mountain Caverns
319 West Hills Drive, Chattanooga
(800) 823-2267
www.raccoonmountain.com

Ruby Falls
1720 South Scenic Hwy., Chattanooga
(423) 821-2544
www.rubyfalls.com

Tuckaleechee Caverns
825 Cavern Road, Townsend
(423) 448-2274
www.tuckaleecheecaverns.com