Cumberland Caverns
Cumberland Caverns
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Tennessee's Largest Show Cave and a U.S. National Natural Landmark. We are open 7 days a week all year round! We have 12 different tour options ranging from easy hikes to extreme adventure tours. Check our website for tour times and availability.
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See what travelers are saying
- michaelmE8573AYHoover, Alabama8 contributionsGreat place to visit and tour.We have a wonderful guided tour through the caverns. As my wife and I were the only ones on this tour, it became a very detailed tour. We were able to ask numerous questions of our knowledgeable guide without interruption. He was also able to give us some behind the scenes exploits of the original explorers, without having the make it G rated. We highly recommend visiting and taking the expenned Caverns tour.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 10, 2023
- Kenneth S57 contributionsGreat cave trip, great cave guideI went on a wonderful wild cave trip starting at the original entrance. Our guide was Markie Mullins. I had already been through this part of the cave on past trips. Markie already knew this but she was still a true professional. Answering our questions, alerting us to hazarded areas and allowing us enough time to take photos of interesting sections of the route. Cumberland Caverns has a good cave guide in Markie.Visited December 2023Traveled with friendsWritten December 19, 2023
- Ethan Hunter P1 contributionAwesome trip!Our guides, Justin & Zoey, were so cool and knowledgable! We had a small intimate group which made for a very personal trip together. Justin & Zoey led us in full confidence, had jokes, and lots of info on the cave as we navigated our way through. They accommodated any needs we had, helped us through the tricky parts, and made us feel safe the whole way. Highly recommend this cave as it’s just an awesome feature of the planet we live on and for the wonderful staff here!Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 8, 2024
- Katie PWotton-under-Edge, United Kingdom31 contributionsBrilliant tour of a fascinating cave systemBrilliant tour with knowledgeable guide. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the tunnels being discovered - we were fortunate to bump into one of the explorers in the lobby. Brilliant to see. We really enjoyed the grande finale.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 2, 2024
- PoppyTravelsMemphis, Tennessee6 contributionsCumberland Caverns is a WONDERFUL experience!We absolutely LOVED it and will go back again! This is an amazing natural wonder, undiscovered by any humans until the 1800's and taken such good care of, and with excellent features for tourists. The guides are knowledgeable and sincere. They love the caverns and are entertaining while sharing facts. It's so beautiful!Thank you so much for you review, Poppy! Our Cave Crew truly loves sharing the cave with guests like you! :)Written September 20, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 10, 2024
- Sam C5 contributionsLoved it!I was not expecting much when I road in. I took what I think was the cheapest and shortest tour into the caves. The guide was knowledgable and super nice. Being in the caves was fun. I enjoyed seeing the concert venue, the temperature and atmosphere of the caves, and the different formations. I could see coming back to do some of the longer cave options if I am in the area again with some time. Its not cheap but nothing is these days felt I got my moneys worth. Thanks Cumberland Caverns!It sounds like you enjoyed a Cardwell Mountain History Tour! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed your tour. We hope to see you again for one of our longer tours. We have so much to share we have to offer multiple tours to share our amazing cave with everyone.Written September 20, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten August 3, 2024
- Maher K1 contributionExciting Tour of the Cumberland Caves with RissaOne of the best places to visit in TN. We took an hour and a half tour in the Caves, and it was really exciting. Our tour guide Rissa was very welcoming and informative, she explained the history and all the details about the Caves. She made our trip very memorable.We are so glad you enjoyed your cave tour with Rissa! Thank you for leaving your feedback.Written September 20, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
504 reviews
Excellent
343
Very good
108
Average
32
Poor
8
Terrible
13
Taylor D
3 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
Honestly my tour guide was my favorite part! My tour guide was Colin:) I learned recently I do not do well with tight spaces and he made me feel very calm and made sure to let us know each time what was coming next. He stopped to shared stories and we stopped to hear his story about the dark cave. I’m afraid of dark places and he encouraged me to listen to the story because you don’t always experience this. He was great! He also let me call him the wrong name the whole time. Haha. Long story short i made it through because of him and my friends. I overcame a lot with this trip to Cumberland Caverns and i learned a lot about myself. I appreciate Colin for his patience and is expertise! If you can request, definitely request him!
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What an awesome review! You did amazing at challenging yourself to conquer your fears, while also learning new things about yourself. Colin will be happy to read your review about his tour. Thank you for visiting us and taking the time to share your experience!
Written September 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cornfed9505
150 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
We took a guided tour of the Caverns and were impressed with this natural wonder as well as the professional, friendly, and informative guide. We lucked out due to our timing and received a personal guided tour, since there were no other folks there. As we were finishing, we were informed about the concerts inside the cavern and decided to attend one with our friends who were visiting from out of town. We watched Tab Benoit play several weeks later and were blown away by the sound and cozy personal feel of the space. It was definitely an event to remember and we will be looking for future events to attend.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret
Nashville, TN3 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
My boyfriend and I started 2021 off with a new experience exploring the stunning caverns of TN. Collin expertly led our group of 6 (ages 11 to 40+) through the limestone caverns of Higginbotham’s Revenge for 4 hrs. Definitely bring clothes ready to get muddy - it’s more fun when you commit to the FULL experience. I get a little claustrophobic and we all had to crawl through a box before starting the trail to be sure we could make it through the tightest Lemon Squeezer squeeze. Collin gave us a heads up and patiently talked us through strategic strongholds and slippery rock slides. Well worth it for the unique and challenging adventure. We all felt proud and accomplished and like a team when we emerged from the Dragon’s Tail passage. Would love to go back!
Written January 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for this awesome review and for choosing us as your first adventure destination for 2021, MargKlo! The Higgenbotham's Revenge is definitely a unique and challenging tour. Colin will be proud to read your review and know you both enjoyed the tour. Cumberland Caverns wishes you many more fun adventures in the future.
Written January 2, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emma
Dunlap, TN1 contribution
Jun 2020 • Friends
We had so much fun! I did the Higenbothem adventure cave. It was very fun! We had an amazing tour guide named Colin. He was very sweet and funny. He did his best to help us through more difficult parts and joked and talked on easier parts. He was super prepared. He had extra waters and at one point my shoe broke and he pulled out paracord and put new laces on my shoes. It was a life saver! Will be going again! Thanks Colin. :)
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're thrilled that you had such an amazing adventure with us! Colin is most definitely always prepared and excellent at what he does! We can't wait to see you next time!
Written July 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dlwinger
Fernandina Beach, FL3,894 contributions
Oct 2021
We made the decision to visit Cumberland Caverns on our way back from Nashville. Once we got off I-24 the drive was very scenic through several small towns and more plant nurseries than one could count. When planning your trip be aware that the general cave tours leave at the top of the hour. We arrived at 20 minutes after the hour so we just sat around and browsed the shop for 40 minutes. Victoria was our tour guide and did an amazing job in telling the history and some of the stories of the tour. We had to pass on the optional light show loop as we didn't think our knees would make it up and down the 300+ steps, but while we waited for the group to return we could hear the band that was going to be performing later that evening practice so that was some free entertainment. Reminder this is a cave and not a Disney attraction so the walkways were uneven with inclines. There were handrails to assist in some of the more severe ramped walkways.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephanieB
1 contribution
Jan 2021
Great caverns! Had such an enjoyable experience. We called ahead to make sure we could arrive in our RV and that there would be parking available. We spoke to Berlyn, who was so polite and informative. As it turned out, Berlyn was our tour guide. She was extremely knowledgeable, presented herself well beyond her years, was enthusiastic and made the tour entertaining for all:) We will be returning to do more of what the caverns have to offer, and will definitely be requesting Berlyn as our guide!
Written February 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are glad you had fun at Cumberland Caverns and look forward to your visit in the future.
Written February 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carolyne W
Murfreesboro, TN1 contribution
Mar 2021 • Friends
We went on the Higginbotham's revenge tour and it was amazing! Our guide Colin did a great job, and made us feel comfortable and competent while squeezing through some narrow spaces and seeing new caverns. This was totally worth the time and money. You might get a little muddy, but the adventure was awesome!
Written March 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for leaving such a wonderful review of your experience at Cumberland Caverns. We are glad you had fun on the Higgenbotham's Revenge Tour and will pass your praise on to your guide, Colin.
Written March 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
J.R.P.
1 contribution
Jun 2021
Our first visit to the Cumberland Caverns was yesterday 6/26/2021.
My wife and I were given the tour by Victoria and Jacob and
had great time touring the caverns and leaning the history that came along with it. The Volcano Room was the highlight of the tour for us with the Austrian Chandilier lighting the area. We will be attending the upcoming Diamond Rio Concert there in September and look forward to the amazing acoustics that fill that room.
Victoria and Jacob were very personable and were very easy to talk to about the Cavern and fun subjects as we made the tour.
GREAT JOB to both of these guides.
J.R. & Edee from Murfressboro TN
My wife and I were given the tour by Victoria and Jacob and
had great time touring the caverns and leaning the history that came along with it. The Volcano Room was the highlight of the tour for us with the Austrian Chandilier lighting the area. We will be attending the upcoming Diamond Rio Concert there in September and look forward to the amazing acoustics that fill that room.
Victoria and Jacob were very personable and were very easy to talk to about the Cavern and fun subjects as we made the tour.
GREAT JOB to both of these guides.
J.R. & Edee from Murfressboro TN
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad you stopped by to visit us for the first time J.R. and Edee! We will pass your praise on to Victoria and Jacob. They will be thrilled to read about your experience and how much you enjoyed their tour. We are looking forward to seeing you again for the Diamond Rio concert in September. See you again soon!
Written July 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Owner
McMinnville, TN5 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
This cave is a must see! Take time out of your everyday hustle and bustle to enjoy this wonderful place of nature. I’m sure glad we decided to check this place out. We have a 14 year old and a 5 year old and they both love this place! Their hopes for every visit is to see a bat flying around or find a salamander along the way. We love Cumberland Caverns so much it has made us want to explore caves all over the world.
It is a living cave so there is water and it is 56 degrees year round. Bring a jacket if you get chilly. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones and receive a “cave kiss” from the little drips of water! The formations are beautiful and so many to see. The tour guides are fun and full of information! The management and staff have gone great measures to make sure the natural beauty of the cave are not disrupted. Also, the gift shop has an amazing collection of cool things that you don’t want to miss out on.
The scenery is unforgettable tucked away in a beautiful mountain. The nature hike is refreshing and helps you connect with living the simple life.
It is fun for all ages! Especially, if you are the adventurous type - they offer overnight adventures and group adventures.
Oh yeah, who doesn’t want to experience a concert in a cave?!?! Cumberland Caverns Live is one of the coolest concert venues around, so many talented artists are scheduled to play in the cave. Check out the website and Facebook page to get your tickets for the next concert.
Definitely add Cumberland Caverns to your bucket list. You will not want to miss this cave! They also have a Facebook page, look them up and like them!
It is a living cave so there is water and it is 56 degrees year round. Bring a jacket if you get chilly. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones and receive a “cave kiss” from the little drips of water! The formations are beautiful and so many to see. The tour guides are fun and full of information! The management and staff have gone great measures to make sure the natural beauty of the cave are not disrupted. Also, the gift shop has an amazing collection of cool things that you don’t want to miss out on.
The scenery is unforgettable tucked away in a beautiful mountain. The nature hike is refreshing and helps you connect with living the simple life.
It is fun for all ages! Especially, if you are the adventurous type - they offer overnight adventures and group adventures.
Oh yeah, who doesn’t want to experience a concert in a cave?!?! Cumberland Caverns Live is one of the coolest concert venues around, so many talented artists are scheduled to play in the cave. Check out the website and Facebook page to get your tickets for the next concert.
Definitely add Cumberland Caverns to your bucket list. You will not want to miss this cave! They also have a Facebook page, look them up and like them!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for this wonderful review!! We are so glad to know that your family cherishes the cave as much as we do! We can't wait to see you guys again soon!
Written March 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christine S
Fort Worth, TX48 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We took a group of 14 middle schoolers to the caves. We came from Texas, driving, so after the previous day of 13 hours to get to Nashville going another 1 1/2 from Nashville was not super appealing. But let me tell you, IT WAS WORTH IT! Nick was our tour guide, didn’t make us feel rushed, was incredibly knowledgeable and answered with enthusiasm every one of my 6 year old son’s millions of questions. The kids had a blast, kept talking about it the entire trip. To make it even more amazing, we saw Don’s feet. If you don’t know this story it’s pretty incredible we got to experience this. Don’t pass this up, you won’t regret it.
Written July 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time do the concerts normally end since they start so early in the day?
Written June 17, 2022
Hola, me gustarĂa saber cĂłmo llegar a las cavernas sin auto, quĂ© transporte debo tomar? Alguien puede orientarme??
Muchas gracias
Written December 31, 2020
How do overnight sleeping bags and sleeping clothes arrive to the sleeping destination without getting them muddy? Also, do all tours include the light show? I'm looking at the "What waits below overnight"
Written August 7, 2020
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, Tennessee
Advance reservations are required for all overnight packages. The group leader will check-in their group at the gift shop after everyone in their party has arrived. After everyone has been checked-in and got everything they'll need for the night (extra clothes, sleeping bags, flashlight, etc.), a guide will walk the group down through the commercial portion of the cave, to their campsite. Campers carry their belongings roughly 600-yards from the gift shop where you check-in to the room where you'll be staying (pack light). You will leave your camping gear in your campsite, then prepare for the tours included in your overnight package.
Specifically, the "What Waits Below" overnight package is for ages 6 and up and includes 2 tours - Rocky Topper Adventure tour and the Walking Tour. The walking tour is included in all of the overnight packages, and is the only tour with a light show. The other overnight packages have different age requirements and include different adventure tours.
Feel free to call us at 931-668-4396 between 9am-5pm central time with any additional questions you may have. We will be happy to answer them.
Written August 7, 2020
It was great! It was an easy walk and our guide was very knowledgeable. It was definitely worth it.
Written August 13, 2019
What is the climate like late October to early November? Do the concerts sell out or are tickets available closer to then? Any country acts perform?
Written August 4, 2019
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, Tennessee
Thank you for your question. Inside the cave, it is a consistent 56 degrees year-round. The climate outside is anyone's guess though, as Tennessee weather tends to be a little unpredictable. Most of the concerts do sell out, so if you see a lineup posted you are interested in, it is best to go ahead and secure your tickets.
Yes, we do have country acts that perform. Mac McAnally is coming up on August 17, and we have hosted such names as Kip Moore and High Valley. There will be a few more concerts announced soon. Please keep an eye on the website and social media to learn of new artists coming to Cumberland Caverns. Thank you!
Written August 5, 2019
Please can you give me an approximate number of steps on this Cavern Tour? Is there any crawling on hands and knees? Is there much crouching down? I would love to visit but am of limited mobility. I am trying to work out whether I will manage it. Many thanks.
Written July 28, 2018
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, Tennessee
Thank you for your question and everyone who answered. There are 350 stone cut steps over to the light show (Optional-there is a bench to wait for your group to return) and another set of steps (maybe 25) going down Lamon's Loop. There are handrails anywhere there are steps as well as on the Volcano Room hill. The tour is approximately 1.5 miles of uneven terrain that takes approximately an hour and a half to complete and is considered of moderate intensity. No crawling is involved on the Daily Walking Tour. Please note: We are not handicap accessible.
Written July 31, 2018
We are currently watching Buddy Davis' Extreme Caving video, which features Cumberland Caverns, so now my family is considering visiting in early September. We have a child carrier backpack for our one year old to ride in while we hike. Is that type of backpack allowed in the cave for the 1.5 mile daily walking tour?
Written July 4, 2018
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, Tennessee
Thank you for your question. Yes, you can use a child carrier backpack on the Daily Walking Tour. We look forward to seeing you in September.
Written July 22, 2018
My hubby and I are trying to figure out if we want general admission or one of the packages offering the T-shirt,hats, and dining. We are planning on one of your November events. Can you tell me more about the dining such as what kind of food is served and if you dine before,during, or after the show.
We are so excited to have this adventure!
Written April 12, 2018
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, Tennessee
Thank you for your question. Cumberland Caverns Live currently offers either early admission or general admission with the option to purchase an add-on cave tour or overnight adventure to your concert ticket. We have a snackbar located inside the cave that features homemade chili, bbq, brauts, wraps, and various other refreshments and treats. We hope to see you 333' below soon!
Written May 1, 2018
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, Tennessee
Sorry, you cannot swim in any of our underground pools. You probably wouldn't want to because it is 56 degrees below the surface all year long. Thank you for your question and we hope you will visit us soon.
Written March 30, 2018
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, Tennessee
Thank you for your question. Concerts are announced through the Bluegrass Underground website. I am unable to post a link in the Q&A forum, but if you Google "Bluegrass Underground" you will be directed to their page.
Written April 11, 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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