Forbidden Caverns, Sevierville, TN - Caves

When you are in the Sevierville, TN area and are looking around to see the beauty of the mountains, you don't want to forget about the beauty of the underground world, too. The Forbidden Caverns offers to take you 600 feet below ground so that you can see the wonders that are truly in the land "down under."

This part of the nation - in Tennessee - has more caves than anywhere else. Altogether, there are more than 8,350 registered caves in this state. When you want to see something different, and feel the cool cave air, which is always at a cool 58 degrees, and see the wonders, then Forbidden Cave is for you.

The Forbidden Cave is known to have been here for many years - possibly even having been used by people in the area more than 1,000 years before Europeans ever set foot in this hemisphere. As recent as 1943, the cave was known to have been used by some moonshiners to hide their still, equipment, and moonshine. The river that flows through the cave provided them with the water they needed. Now the many wonders of the Cave can be readily appreciated by its visitors.

In the cave, visitors can see many different formations and flows. There are a number of calcite flows and formations. There is also the very rare wall of onyx that is the largest one in the world.

Other features in the cave that you will see on the tour are the Glistening Draperies, the Valley of the Moon, and the grotto of the Dead. There is also the Ledge of the Gargoyle and the White Onyx Corn Cob. Not surprisingly, you can also see a replica of what the moonshiners left behind, too.

Altogether, the tour through the cave by well-informed tour guides will take about 55 minutes. Handrails are provided where needed. You can also see the stream, various formations, special lighting, and much more.

There are many other attractions in the area that you certainly will want to see with the whole family while on your vacation here. The largest ones would have to be Dollywood and the Dollywood's Splash Country Water Adventure Park over in Pigeon Forge. Then there are some of the Ripley's amusement centers which are also very popular. Many people really enjoy seeing the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies which has many wonderful exhibits and is also interactive, and the new Ripley's Marvelous Mirror Maze & Candy Factory.

The Forbidden Cave in Sevierville, TN, is open every day, except for Sunday. Its hours are from 10 AM until 6 PM. It is only open in the months of April through November, but is closed on Thanksgiving. It remains closed in the months of December through March.

The Forbidden Cave can easily be reached from Interstate 40. Simply take exit #432 at Newport or exit #407 at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park exit. Then, just follow the signs straight to the Cave. It can make a great trip for the family on a rainy day when many other outdoor activities are closed.