Cumberland Caverns, McMinnville: Hours, Address, Cumberland Caverns Reviews: 4.5/5
Cumberland Caverns
Cumberland Caverns
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 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 - 5:00 PM
About
Tennessee's Largest Show Cave and a U.S. National Natural Landmark; Cumberland Caverns displays some of the largest underground rooms and most spectacular formations in America. The daily scenic walking tour is offered year-round, from 9:00 to 5:00 without a reservation. Our Underground Ballroom, the iconic Volcano Room, seats 600+ and can be reserved for banquets, weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events. Discover adventure on one of our daytime or overnight spelunking adventure trips into untamed portions of the caverns. Join us any Saturday at 10 and 2 for a No Reservation Required WILD Caving Adventure!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
468 reviews
Excellent
313
Very good
104
Average
32
Poor
8
Terrible
11
dlwinger
Fernandina Beach, FL3,437 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Grandview Experience Lodge
Spencer, TN23 contributions
Apr 2022
We have been to two concerts here and found the experience very unique. The acoustics are great and the experience unique. I definitely recommend the caverns to people who love concerts and would like to have the unique, fun experience of going to one in a cavern. Bring a jacket for the lower temperatures in a cave.
Written April 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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.
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.
Cornfed9505
113 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.
Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, KY1,597 contributions
Oct 2021
I came out for a cave tour and ended up seeing a concert in the cave! I heard it was one of the largest caves in TN so decided to drive out. They have plenty of on site parking and several level options, to include the historic tour which is good for kids of all ages. The tour guide was both informative and entertaining. A large cave is the venue for concerts throughout the year and luckily I came the day Sister Hazel was playing and was able to catch that on top of the tour! They have a decent sized gift shop where you start and end your tour.
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member 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.
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.
Jay A
Buenos Aires, Argentina19 contributions
Hola, me gustarÃa saber cómo llegar a las cavernas sin auto, qué transporte debo tomar? Alguien puede orientarme??
Muchas gracias
Creek75
Cleveland, TN8 contributions
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"
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, TN
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.
How is the tour
mcaccese
Fairview, TN4 contributions
It was great! It was an easy walk and our guide was very knowledgeable. It was definitely worth it.
Silverfalcon3
Statham, GA312 contributions
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?
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, TN
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!
Kaahele
UK45 contributions
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.
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, TN
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.
mandy22112
Tupelo, MS22 contributions
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?
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, TN
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.
Dana D
Waverly, TN143 contributions
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!
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, TN
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!
Hillie G
Maryville, TN
Can you touch or swim in the underground pools?
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, TN
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.
Concerts schedule.
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, TN
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.
Dii
Equinunk, PA23 contributions
Any recommendations for what "adventure" to do? Higgenbothams Revenge, Rocky Topper, or Parts Unknown?
Cumberland Caverns
McMinnville, TN
Thank you for your question. The tour you choose all depends on the ages of the people in your group and their physical condition and hiking experience. If you are new to caving or have young ones in your group (ages 6 and up), the Rocky Topper would be a perfect start for your introduction to spelunking. Higgenbothams Revenge is a great mid-level tour for ages 12 and up in good physical condition. If you are an experienced hiker over the age of 16 and in optimal health, we highly suggest the Parts Unknown trip. You can also, for just a few dollars more, make any of these daytime adventures into a caveman campout. Please check the website out for all the details of each adventure tour and sign up for our Cave Mail to receive all the latest information and special offers we have going. Please feel free to call and talk to our reservations manager for more information and ask any other questions you may have 931-668-4396. Thanks again!!!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cumberland Caverns
- Cumberland Caverns is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Cumberland Caverns tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Cumberland Caverns tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Cumberland Caverns:
- (4.67 mi) Best Western Tree City Inn
- (3.91 mi) Hampton Inn McMinnville
- (5.64 mi) Falcon Manor B & B at Falcon Rest
- (4.49 mi) Scottish Inn
- (7.33 mi) Bonnie Blue Inn
- Restaurants near Cumberland Caverns:
- (5.06 mi) Collins River BBQ & Cafe
- (5.15 mi) Topz Frozen Yogurt & Metro Deli
- (5.16 mi) Cumberland Biscuit Company
- (5.02 mi) Depot Bottom Country Store
- (5.06 mi) Juicy's Wellness Cafe
- Attractions near Cumberland Caverns:
- (5.64 mi) Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens
- (4.55 mi) Smooth Rapids Outfitters
- (9.86 mi) Isha USA
- (2.28 mi) MAD MUSKY Water Sports Rentals, LLC
- (5.16 mi) The Park Theater