Snail Shell Cave

Snail Shell Cave is a limestone cave near Rockvale featuring a large sinkhole entrance dropping about 60 feet (18 meters) with steep rock walls surrounding it. A stream flows at the bottom and continues through the tunnel system below.

The cave was discovered in 1951 when Tom Barr and Bert Denton found the entrance and began mapping the passages. This discovery allowed the full extent of the underground system to be documented and explored.

The cave's name refers to the spiral-like passages that resemble a snail shell when viewed in cross-section. Visitors who explore deeper passages can observe how these curved formations gave the location its distinctive identity.

Access to the cave is restricted and visitors need permission from the Southeastern Cave Conservancy before entering. At least one group member must be affiliated with the SCCi or the National Speleological Society to gain entry.

The system contains over 9 miles of surveyed passages making it one of the longest continuous cave systems in the Tennessee Central Basin. The true scale of this underground network was only understood after modern exploration and mapping.

Location: Tennessee

GPS coordinates: 35.78250,-86.53611

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01