Ruby Falls

1,120 Feet Underground

Ruby Falls is one of those Chattanooga attractions that sounds like tourist-trap marketing until you actually stand in front of the waterfall. Then your jaw drops. It's a 145-foot underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain, 1,120 feet below the surface - the tallest underground cave waterfall open to the public in the United States. The cave was discovered in 1928, and the experience of walking through it today feels like something out of a different world.

The Cave Tour

The tour starts with an elevator ride straight down into the mountain. You descend 260 feet in a glass-front elevator, and when the doors open, you're standing in a cavern that's been forming for millions of years. A guide leads your group along a cavern trail of a little under a mile round trip, lined with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and columns. The formations have names - some earned, some a stretch - but the geology is genuinely impressive regardless.

The cave stays at about 60 degrees year-round, so bring a light jacket even in July. The walkway is paved and lit, though some sections require ducking and the path narrows in spots. It's accessible for most people but not wheelchair accessible due to the uneven terrain.

The whole tour builds toward the waterfall reveal. Your guide will have you stop before the final cavern, cut the lights for a moment of total darkness (and it is total - can't-see-your-hand dark), and then light up the falls. The water cascades 145 feet from a crack in the cave ceiling into a pool below, with colored LED lights cycling through the mist. It's theatrical, sure. But it's also a real waterfall inside a real mountain, and that hits harder than any theme park trick.

Above Ground

Ruby Falls has expanded their surface-level attractions over the years. There are zip lines (seasonal, select dates March through November) and a 40-foot climbing tower if your group wants outdoor thrills to go with the underground experience. The historic Lookout Mountain Tower observation decks give you views of the Tennessee River, mountains and valleys. Good photo op, but the cave is the main event.

There's a village gift shop, and the Castle Cafe in the historic 1929 limestone castle serves a seasonal menu and local craft beer. You don't need a cave ticket to dine there.

Planning Your Visit

Buy timed-entry tickets online before you go up the mountain, since Ruby Falls does not sell walk-up tickets. Early morning tours tend to be less crowded. Plan on 2 to 3 hours for the whole visit.

If you're making a day of it on Lookout Mountain, Rock City and the Incline Railway are the other two big attractions. Each is ticketed separately.

Where to Eat Nearby

After emerging from the cave, head down to St. Elmo at the base of Lookout Mountain. Niedlov's Cafe & Bakery makes bread that people drive across the city for, and Bluegrass Grill is one of Chattanooga's most beloved breakfast spots. For a different vibe, head down into Southside for STIR or grab a coffee at Mean Mug Coffeehouse. Check out more family-friendly attractions to round out your Lookout Mountain day.