Tuckaleechee Caverns

Useful Information

Location:	In Townsend. Off scenic U.S. 321. Off state hwy. 73 between Maryville and Gatlinburg.
Open:	15-MAR to 30-MAR daily 10-17. APR-OCT daily 9-18. 01-NOV to 15-NOV daily 10-17.
Fee:	Adults $ 9, Children (5-11) $5.
Classification:	Karst cave, river cave.
Light:	electric
Dimension:	T=14°C, V=100,000/a.
Guided tours:	D=75min., L=1600m.
Bibliography:
Address:	Tuckaleechee Caverns, 825 Cavern Rd. Box 381, Townsend, TN 37882, Tel. +1-865-448-2274
Last update:	$Date: 2008/10/09 18:40:21 $

History


1953		opened to the public.
1982		Bill Vananda bought out Myers and became the sole owner of Tuckaleechee Caverns..

Description

Tuckaleechee Caverns was opened to the public by Bill Vananda and Harry Myers. The cave is famous for its speleothems, which are called "cave onyx" in the area. In the biggest hall, which is 55m long, 33m wide and up to 22m high, the stalagmites are so called plate stack stalagmites aka palm trunc stalagmites. Locally they are called totem poles.

The natural entrance of the cave lies at the foot of Little Mountain in Dry Valley. It was discovered by lumbermen, which first explored it using pine torches and kerosene lamps. The story of red indians discovering the cave and using it as a hideout and shelter seems to be a sort of local legend.

The cave was developed by two locals, which developed the cave through their own hand labour. First tours were hels with Coleman lanterns. But soon electric light was installed.

The cave has three different cave rivers, which merge in the cave and emerge about 1km away in Dunn Spring.

Tuckaleechee Caverns

Useful Information

History

Description

See also