One of the most exciting destinations in the Smoky Mountains is the Forbidden Caverns, a spectacular show cave located just a short drive away from Pigeon Forge! While taking an entertaining and educational tour, you’ll encounter sparkling formations, towering natural chimneys, numerous grottos and more! Here are the top 4 reasons why you’ll want to visit Forbidden Caverns during your Smoky Mountain vacation:
1. Breathtaking Cave Formations
The Forbidden Caverns are filled with breathtaking cave formations that have to be seen to be believed, so definitely bring a camera along for the tour! The cave contains many unique calcite formations that are still growing and boasts the largest wall of rare cave onyx and dripstones known to exist! There is even a crystal clear stream that runs through the cave, and the water supply was once used to make moonshine! To make things even more interesting, special lighting effects have been added throughout the caverns!
2. Adventure for All Ages
Another of the reasons why you’ll want to visit the attraction during your Pigeon Forge vacation is because it is an exciting adventure for family members of all ages! As a bonus, there is a reduced admission rate for kids ages 5 to 12, and children ages 4 and under are admitted for free! Keep in mind that the average tour length is 55 minutes and a section of the tour involves 50 stairs that go down a narrow pathway. Therefore, the tour is not recommended for those with mobility and/or respiratory issues. Of course, you can be rest assured that the trails are all well-lighted and there are handrails at all of the necessary points!
3. Cool Option During a Summer Vacation
If you are planning a summer vacation to Pigeon Forge and are looking for somewhere to cool off for a bit, Forbidden Caverns is an excellent option! You’ll find that the cave is 58 degrees all year long, so you might even want to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt along for your tour! Note that the cave can also be a bit wet, have a few puddles and generally be a little dirty, so remember to dress accordingly! Consider extending your visit by bringing a picnic lunch along, which you can enjoy in an outdoor picnic area near the cave entrance!
4. Frequent Tour Departures
The great thing about this Sevierville attraction is that there is no need to make online reservations or purchase tickets in advance! There are frequent tour departures and wait times are usually minimal, so just show up whenever you are ready to explore the cave with your friendly guide! The largest group size is generally about 30 people, but groups can also be much smaller depending upon who shows up for the day! The caverns are open April 1st through November 27th from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., but closed on Thursdays and Sundays.
Check out all of our cabins in Pigeon Forge TN today to stay close to the Forbidden Caverns! We look forward to welcoming you to the Smoky Mountains!
