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.
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