Craighead Caverns, National Natural Landmark cave system near Sweetwater, Tennessee.
Craighead Caverns is a limestone cave system near Sweetwater featuring multiple passages decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, and cave formations. The network includes underground waterfalls and various chambers accessible through walking paths and stairs throughout the cave.
The cave system was named after Cherokee Chief Craighead, who used these caverns for tribal gatherings and leadership councils. The location served as an important meeting place before becoming a commercial attraction in the modern era.
In 1947, the cavern was converted into an underground entertainment venue with a wooden dance floor where visitors could enjoy live music. This subterranean gathering place became a social hub for locals seeking an unusual evening out beneath the earth.
The cave maintains a constant temperature of about 58 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so visitors should bring a light jacket regardless of season. The pathways are well-marked and accessible via stairs, making navigation through the cave straightforward.
Hidden within the cavern lies the Lost Sea, one of the largest underground lakes in the United States formed naturally within the rock formations. This freshwater body is a geological rarity that catches many visitors off guard when they encounter its unexpected scale and beauty.
Location: Tennessee
Website: http://thelostsea.com
GPS coordinates: 35.53556,-84.43111
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
Tennessee offers a notable mix of geological formations and historical sites that document different periods of American history. The state extends from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west, encompassing extensive cave systems, waterfalls, and forested areas. Underground attractions include The Lost Sea Adventure near Sweetwater, one of the largest underground lakes in America, and Tuckaleechee Caverns near Townsend with its flowstone formations. Ruby Falls in Chattanooga takes visitors 1,100 feet (335 m) below ground to an underground waterfall. The state's natural parks protect waterfalls of varying size and accessibility. Fall Creek Falls near Spencer drops 256 feet (78 m) and ranks among the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls offer hiking trails to cascades, while Ozone Falls is accessible directly from the roadside. Big South Fork National River includes gorges and whitewater sections in the Cumberland Plateau. Historical sites document the Civil War through battlefields like Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and through preserved structures such as the Carter House in Franklin. Belle Meade Plantation near Nashville shows life on a 19th-century horse farm, while Chucalissa Archaeological Museum presents pre-Columbian settlements of the Mississippian culture.
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