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Bristol Caverns: Tennessee Caves

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Crye-Leike, Realtors

If you haven't seen it yet, there is an excellent TV/dvd program out on Discovery called Planet Earth. They have amazing footage of caves, ice worlds, oceans, mountains, deserts... all over the world.

Tennessee CavesThey inspired me to do a little research into caves. As it turns out Tennessee has more caves than any other state in the nation with about 8,000+.  I had no idea. I started trying to find out where all these caves are. A lot are in the eastern areas of Tennessee. In my blogs about certain areas of the South, I plan to include some information about Tennessee cave attractions. Here's the first spot on the tour.

Bristol Caverns

1157 Bristol Caverns Hwy
Bristol, TN 37621
Map to Bristol Caverns with Google

Here's an excerpt from their web site - www.BristolCaverns.com

Far below the earth's surface, in the timeless beauty of Bristol Caverns, a strange and exciting experience awaits you. Paved, well lighted walkways wind through the vaulted chambers and along the banks of the ancient Underground River that carved these remarkable caverns from the hard core of the earth 200 to 400 million years ago. In the frontier days, Indians used the Underground River as an attack and escape route in their  raids on settlers. Stealing into the area by way of the Underground River and  the caverns, they swooped down on unsuspecting families, then disappeared as if swallowed up by the earth.

They are open year round are are next to the Smoky Mountains. Sound like it would make for a fun trip.

Has anyone been to Bristol Caverns or one of the other 8,000 caves in Tennessee?

If you are looking for a vacation home in one of these areas Crye-Leike has offices that can help you find Tennessee homes and Johnson City TN real estate.

Linda Scanlan
A Fan of AR - Burleson, TX

Hi Angie, I'm from Maryville, TN originally and there are some awesome caves in that part of the state. Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend is an outstanding one. I love going into all the caves when I get a chance to visit.

The farm where my grandparents lived in Maryville had a couple of small caves on it. Not much at all, but a fun place for us to hide when we wanted to!

 

 

Dec 15, 2007 02:10 AM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger
Hi Linda - Thanks for stopping by. That sounds like fun. I'll have to check out Tuckaleechee Caverns. Thanks for the link.
Dec 15, 2007 02:35 AM
Eldon Holliday
National Property Inspections - Olive Branch, MS
Okay for all the real thrill seekers, Cumberland Caverns in Middle Tennessee offers a wild cave tour.  This place doesn't have all the paved walkways and handrails you would expect to find.  Bing some old clothes and a flashlight because on this tour you will be crawling through the mud on your hands and knees.  One of the passageways is only about 18x20 inches.  You can even spend the night!  I did this with my son about 10 years ago and it was a blast. Highly recommend it but not for the faint of heart.
Dec 15, 2007 07:27 AM
Sherri Sherpy
iLoan
NMLS #287770
My daughter and I just watched Planet Earth last week on the episode about caves.  The crystal cave (I think it was in Mexico?) was AMAZING.  Like you, I never knew Tennessee had so many caves.  I think it would make a great vacation...our daughters would love it!
Dec 15, 2007 12:56 PM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger

Eldon - Thanks for the tip. I will have to check out Cumberland Caverns as well. I'm going to have to wait until my son gets a little older (toddler) before exploring a cave like that, but sounds really cool.

Sherri - I can't remember the name of the cave you are referring to. Their footage was definitely amazing. Really makes you appreciate what's around us.

Dec 16, 2007 11:50 AM
Kim Wilbourn
Kim Wilbourn Realty - Scottsboro, AL
Your Local Alabama REALTOR
 Seasons Greetings I have been to Forbidden Caverns in Pigeon Forge, TN. I believe that is the name of it. You will have to correct me if I am wrong. It has been a long time ago. It was beautiful though. I live about 5 miles from a cave called Cathedral Caverns in Woodville, AL. Check out some information about it http://www.grantchamberofcommerce.com/cathedral_caverns.htm





Dec 16, 2007 12:02 PM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger
Hi Kim - Thanks for the link. That looks like a really cool place to visit and is right near Huntsville.
Dec 17, 2007 04:02 AM
Vangie Williams
The Evans Group DMV - Serving Virginia - Fredericksburg, VA
Real Estate with Personality
Well I live in Virginia and we have of course Luray Caverns, very cool also.  You have to see them too.  Let me know if you do visit.
Dec 18, 2007 12:47 PM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger
Hi Vangie - Thanks for sharing that. I looked up Luary Caverns. I am going to a wedding in Richmond, Virginia in June, so that may be a good time to take a little side trip there. I'll have to keep it in mind. With all the walkways there I could probably take my 3 year old - Do you think that would work or too young still?
Dec 19, 2007 03:00 AM
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Sean

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Jul 01, 2008 08:03 AM
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