Ruby Falls: Taking Adventures to New Levels

There is only one place where you can travel deep inside a mountain to see the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States, see forever from the top of a castle tower, soar through the treetops on rushing zip lines, and grab a bite to eat in a historic Chattanooga dining spot. You can experience it all this summer at Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain.

 Ruby Falls offers multiple cave adventure options. Looking for a faster-pace, family-friendly cave adventure? Reserve tickets for the timed-entry one-mile guided Cave Walk, featuring a general overview of the cave’s history, the breathtaking lightshow at the thundering underground waterfall and ancient geological formations along the narrow cavern trail.

For a more in-depth, smaller group cave tour with a relaxed pace designed for history-loving explorers, check out the Gentle Walking Tour. Senior-level guides lead this early-access tour that includes extra time at the waterfall after the lightshow and plenty of time for guides to answer questions along the way, thanks to the slower pace. 

Maybe it’s more your speed to explore after-hours when the underground cave and waterfall are lit only by hand-held lanterns. Popular Lantern Tours feature a limited number of participants and often sell out weeks in advance. Keep in mind, if you want to take your kids on a Lantern Tour, they must be at least 5 years old.

 All tickets are timed entry and sold online, which makes it easy to plan your day.  No matter which cave adventure you choose, be sure to get your tickets before you arrive as tours often sell out in advance during the summer. Lantern and Gentle Walking Tours are available on select dates and require reservations.

 Access to Lookout Mountain Tower and Blue Heron Overlook are included with all cave tour tickets.  The sweeping scenic views of the Cumberland Plateau and winding Tennessee River are spectacular and not to be missed.

Cap off your day of adventure with a burst of adrenaline by soaring through the treetops on zip lines at Ruby Falls High Point ZIP Adventure. Zip line tickets include a 40-foot climbing tower with multiple routes of varying difficulty.

For a special summer treat, be one of the first guests to experience the brand-new Castle Café located in historic Ruby Falls Castle. For decades beginning in 1930, the Ruby Falls Castle dining room was a social hot spot with dinner dances featuring the largest ballroom in Chattanooga and live orchestras. The design of the newly renovated café highlights features of the original architecture, including the castle’s stone fireplace restored and brought back to life as the centerpiece of the dining area. Open daily with seasonal menus, the Castle Café offers fresh flatbread pizzas, wraps and sandwiches, salads, snacks, desserts and locally roasted Mayfly coffee and espresso drinks.

 Visit RubyFalls.com to plan your trip and purchase tickets for your Lookout Mountain summer adventures!