| Have you ever read an old novel that was set in | | | | Tuckaleechee Caverns give a radically different |
| a haunted mansion? The villain of the story almost | | | | experience than you would find anywhere above |
| always slides a bookcase away from a wall to | | | | ground. You and your family can explore these |
| reveal a secret passageway. Deep underneath | | | | incredible sights when you make Tuckaleechee |
| the mansion lie tunnels that stretch from one end | | | | Caverns part of your Smoky Mountain plans. |
| of the estate to the other. Nature has built much | | | | Forbidden Caverns |
| the same thing in her underground caverns. And | | | | Not far from Townsend, you'll find another |
| the Smoky Mountains are full of them. | | | | fantastic sight: the Forbidden Caverns in |
| Carved with the force of water over 20 to 30 | | | | Sevierville, TN. Located less than 20 miles from |
| million years ago, it took tens of thousands of | | | | Townsend, it is possible to tour the Tuckaleechee |
| years to shape these tunnels by many | | | | Caverns and the Forbidden Caverns on the same |
| estimations. Now you and your family can enjoy | | | | day. |
| the beauty, fun and education these secret, | | | | Have your camera ready because photo |
| underground compartments offer. | | | | opportunities abound! You'll find cascading walls of |
| Tuckaleechee Caverns | | | | glossy cave onyx, flowstone slopes, moon-like |
| Centuries ago, the Cherokee Indians located the | | | | caves and amazing rock formations. |
| Tuckaleechee Caverns in what is now Townsend, | | | | Opened in 1967, the Forbidden Caverns had |
| TN. It took until the middle of the 19th century | | | | previously served as shelter for the Eastern |
| for sawmill workers to discover this magnificent | | | | Woodland Indians as well as a hiding place and |
| treasure. | | | | production house for moonshiners in the 1930s. |
| The crisp 58-degree air (constant year round) | | | | Today, it presents a wonderful opportunity to |
| would cool the heat of summer's sting for early | | | | view some of nature's most interesting |
| settlers. Women, children and men would flock to | | | | underground landscapes including a crystal clear |
| what is now the entrance to the caverns and | | | | stream that feeds into an underground lake. |
| take in the breezes. Today, the caverns are open | | | | For families, church groups, youth groups, Scout |
| to the public seven days a week. | | | | troops or any other group that wants to explore |
| The caverns themselves are like something from | | | | the Smokies from top to bottom, you're sure to |
| Journey to the Center of the Earth. | | | | marvel at the sights you find. These caverns are |
| Twenty-four-foot-high stalagmites and other rock | | | | the perfect option when you want to avoid the |
| formations tower upward from the floor while | | | | heat on a hot summer day or need a creative |
| gorgeous waterfalls stream down from above. It's | | | | indoor activity for a rainy afternoon. Make them |
| beautiful and awe-inspiring at the same time. | | | | part of your travel plans. |
| With a combination of ruggedness and beauty, | | | | |
